Guide to Lake Eibsee

A stunning lake at the base of the imposing Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, Lake Eibsee is a spectacular alpine retreat renowned for its serene, crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery. Often referred to as one of Bavaria’s most beautiful lakes, Eibsee captivates visitors with its vivid turquoise and emerald hues, surrounded by lush forests and rugged mountain peaks of Zugspitze. The scenic views of the lake make it a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers.

The lake has crystal-clear water and gives a shade of green and blue. It is a must-visit lake in Germany. It attracts most of the visitors. Around 500,000 people visit Lake Eibsee every year. During summer it is the best place to swim or do some water sports. In this guide to Lake Eibsee, you will find everything you need to know about before your visit. Interesting facts, how to get there, when to visit, and the best things to do at Lake Eibsee. 

Important information about Lake Eibsee

Eibsee Grainau belongs to the Eibsee Hotel, but everyone can visit. Its length is about 2450m, its width is 850m, and its depth is up to 32.5m. Lake Eibsee is 1000 meters above sea level, and it’s a little colder there, especially in spring and autumn. It is located right at the foot of Zugspite, the tallest peak in Germany. The lake is known for its crystal clear turquoise-blue water. There are a lot of activities you can do at Lake Eibsee.

How to get to Lake Eibsee Bavaria?

The Lake Eibsee in Bavaria Germany can be accessed in the following ways:

By Car

You can get to Lake Eibsee in Bavaria easily by car. If you’re in Munich take the A95 motorway towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Once you reach Garmisch continue following the sign towards Grainau and Eibsee. The drive is about 1.5 hours (100 km / 62 miles). There is a parking lot near the lake where you can leave your car. The car parking fee is 17 Euro for 4 hours and 1 Euro per hour after that. If you’re using Zugspitzbahn (a system of cable cars and cogwheel trains) it costs 7 instead of 17 Euros. The parking at Eibsee Hotel is open from 5 AM to 10 PM. The most convenient way to reach Eibsee Bavaria is by car.

By Public Transport

You can also get to Lake Eibsee by using the Eibsee Bus which departs in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and drives through Gainau. It takes about 45 minutes and the ticket costs around 1.70 to 4.90 Euros depending on where you start. Using public transport is convenient but it takes some time because the bus takes some stops to pick up and drop off passengers on the way. But the good thing is by using the bus service you can enjoy the charming views of the Bavarian Alps.

What’s the best time to visit Lake Eibsee?

Lake Eibsee is beautiful all year round. However, I suggest you visit from May to September. In these months, the temperature starts to get warmer (the water is freezing, though), and after September, it gets colder. You can enjoy water sports in the summer at Lake Eibsee because it is mostly sunny and clear. With its iconic blue and white diamond pattern, the Bavaria flag fluttered gracefully against the backdrop of the crystal-clear waters of Lake Eibsee, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding Alpine landscape. Somehow Lake Eibsee resembles with Lake Blausee in Switzerland

In autumn, the water is too cold to swim, but you can hike. The trail is easily accessible, and you can enjoy the fall foliage. 

In winter, the lake is frozen, snow in the surrounding mountains, and the Eibsee weather becomes very cold. But there are other winter activities you can do at Lake Eibsee like skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and cable car and you can visit the igloo village which is a hotel with a bar and 20 snow houses.

What to do at Lake Eibsee?

Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany. There are a lot of things you can do. The most popular activities are hiking, renting boats, SUP, and exploring the area, such as the Zugspite.

Hiking

The hiking trail around the lake is around 7.5 km long which leads you to some of the most beautiful spots where you can take amazing photos and enjoy the stunning nature of the lake. The most popular is the Eibsee Loop Trail and Eibsee rundweg which is a roughly 7.5 km hike around the lake. Well-graded, essentially flat, family-friendly, and casual hiker-friendly-it will take approximately two hours for a complete circuit. Along the way, there are various lookout points where the turquoise-colored water and the rim of peaks surrounding it can be seen. There are sections in the trail with areas perfect for rest stops, and some of these include swimming areas if the weather is warm enough. The trail has some hefty variation that photographers just love: the Zugspitze in view or reflections of surrounding forests and mountains in the lake.

Important tips for hikers

The best time to hike at Lake Eibsee is in the early morning or late afternoon, which offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer and autumn are ideal seasons for hiking but winter offers a unique experience with snow-covered trails and frozen sections of the lake. Make sure you bring hiking shoes, water, snacks, and a camera if you want to capture breathtaking landscapes. Eibsee Winter is a breathtaking display of snow-covered landscapes and tranquil, icy waters.

Boating

Boating is a great activity you can do at Lake Eibsee. You can rent paddle boats, rowing boats, SUPs, and a boat tour. You can find the boat rental right at the beginning of the lake, on the left side of the lake when coming from the parking. The pedal boats are suitable for up to 5 people and cost 15 Euro per hour. There are also pedal boats with a slide for up to 4 people and they cost 16 Euro per hour. A rowing boat fits up to 4 people and costs 12 Euro per hour. This way you can discover Lake Eibsee from the water and visit the small islands.

Things to do around Lake Eibsee 

Visiting Lake Eibsee is one of the best things to do in Bavaria but there is so much more to the area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  

Zugspitze

The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, standing at 2,962 meters (9,718 feet). It is located in the Bavarian Alps, near the border between Germany and Austria. The distance from Eibsee to Zugspitze is about 7 Km (4.3 miles). It belongs to the mountain massif of Wetterstein. The Zugspitze is famous for its fantastic views, various possibilities of activity, and availability. There are four peaks which one can see from the top. These peaks belong to four countries: Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.

Such 360-degree views are breathtakingly beautiful: snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, deep valleys. On the hill are two small glaciers, the Schneeferner and Höllentalferner, making it a perfect place for winter sports. Because of the great height above sea level, the Zugspitze is generally cool during summer; it also records some of the earliest and longest-lying snowfalls in winter. You can get to Zugspitze by Eibsee Seilbahn.

Accessibility:

The Zugspite is accessed by cable car. The Eibsee-Seilbahn starts from Lake Eibsee and takes visitors directly to the summit in about 10 minutes.

The Tiroler Zugspitzbahn begins on the Austrian side of the mountain, offering another route to the top.

Bayerische Zugspitzbahn: The cogwheel train departs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and takes a picturesque route up to the Zugspitzplatt, where visitors can take a final cable car to the summit.

Best time to visit:

If you want to go hiking, sightseeing, and enjoy the alpine flora then summer (June to September) is the best time to visit, and if you’re looking for skiing, snowboarding, and experiencing the winter wonderland atop the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone wanting to experience the best of the Bavarian Alps. Whether it’s summer or winter, the mountain offers a variety of activities and stunning scenery that make it one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks.

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