Swimming lakes
At any time of the year, the many mountain lakes around Mittenwald invite you to a walk along the shore or a circumnavigation.
In summer, their clean water tempts you to take a fresh bath – in winter, the frozen landscape covered with hoarfrost enchants you.
From Sonnenbichl you can reach the Lautersee and Ferchensee on foot, by bike or by guest bus.
If you would like to visit the Barmsee, Grubsee (with bathing establishment) or Geroldsee, our free guest bus will take you there. Of course, you can also approach the lakes with the mountain bike or their car.
Particularly charming and rewarding is also a visit to the Walchensee or Eibsee, which you can reach by car, public bus or bike.
Ein dreißigminütiger Fußweg führt Sie vom Sonnenbichl zum Lautersee auf 1013 Höhenmeter. Der ca. 14,6 ha große und bis zu 19 Meter tiefe See lädt zu einem Rundgang ein. Sie können in drei Restaurants einkehren, Ruderboote oder Tretboote ausleihen oder seltene Vögel beobachten. An fast allen Uferstellen hat man Zugang zum See um zu baden oder zu plantschen. Gegen eine geringe Gebühr kann man auch die Badeanstalt mit Kinderspielplatz besuchen.
In der Sommersaison verkehrt ein kostenloser Bus zum See.
Im Winter liegt der zugefrorene See wie verzaubert unter einer dicken Schneedecke. Nur Freunde des Eisstockschießens könnten die Stille stören. Die Wanderwege sind geräumt und gut begehbar und locken den Wintergast hinaus in die klare Luft.
Just a few meters in altitude behind the Lautersee lies the Ferchensee at 1060 m directly at the foot of the Wetterstein mountains. There are good swimming opportunities around the lake. A restaurant invites hungry and thirsty hikers. Sitting directly on the water, you can watch fat carp and great crested grebes.
Whoever is too tired to hike after swimming, takes the free guest bus back to Mittenwald. Active vacationers hike further to Elmau and King Ludwig’s Schachenhaus or go from here to the Kranzberg.
You can easily reach the Barmsee from Mittenwald by guest bus or bicycle. Especially popular is the three-lake circuit with Barmsee, Grubsee and Geroldsee. In summer, don’t forget your bathing suit!
When there is no wind, Lake Barmsee picturesquely reflects the Karwendel mountains and the blue sky.
In winter, cross-country ski trails and winter hiking trails lead along Lake Barmsee.
And at any time of year, you can enjoy the magnificent Karwendel panorama here!
The Walchensee is one of the largest alpine lakes in Germany. With 190 m water depth, it is also one of the deepest lakes, its shore path is 27 km long. With its water, environmentally friendly green electricity has been produced in the Walchensee power plant for almost a hundred years.
It offers ideal conditions for water sports enthusiasts: windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors rave about the steady wind. Diving – alone or under professional guidance – is also possible. Various wrecks and the fish-rich underwater world entice.
The Walchensee is a popular swimming lake. Small beaches and secluded bays invite you to sunbathe with subsequent refreshment in the clear mountain lake.
Many legends entwine around the lake.
True is that at the lake the film “Wicki and the strong men” was shot under the direction of Bully Herwig. The film village is to be visited in the place Walchensee as museum.
True is likewise that it was usual into the 18. century to sink consecrated gold coins at the deepest place of the lake. But whether it is true that from the notorious Nazi gold is still something in or on the lake to find, can probably answer only the story.
The Eibsee is located 9 km southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen near the village of Grainau. It is privately owned, but is accessible to the general public. A visit is worthwhile at any time of year.
In summer, the Eibsee offers secluded swimming bays that can be reached on foot, by bike or by boat line. A circumnavigation at a leisurely pace takes two hours and allows many fascinating views of the Zugspitze. Several restaurants invite you to stop in.
A huge landslide about 3500 years ago created some shoals and eight islands that rise picturesquely from the water. Depending on the sunlight, the water, especially on the shore and around the shoals, shines dark green to Caribbean blue. A breathtaking view of the Eibsee from above is offered by a ride on the Zugspitz gondola.
Lake Kochel, located 38 km north of Mittenwald, was formed from the Isar-Loisach glacier and is now fed by the Loisach River and the water from the Walchensee power plant.
In addition to swimming, walking and boating, Lake Kochel is a popular water sports destination. Wind and kite surfers love its strong winds. And sport climbers are enthusiastic about Deep Water Soloing, climbing above the water.
The picturesquely situated Plansee is located between the Ammertal and Reutte. He is connected with the Heiterwanger lake. The water of both lakes is used for power generation.
You can explore the lakes with a boat trip. But maybe you want to love swimming, surfing, sailing, diving or fishing?
In winter, curling and ice skating are offered. Afterwards you can warm up again in one of the hotels with a mulled wine.