Lake Eibsee, which was formed as a result of a gigantic landslide about 3700 years ago, is nestled at the foot of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, and is near the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. With its magically clear turquoise waters and picturesque mountain backdrop, where alpine peaks remain snow-covered even in the hottest weather, this place seems to have stepped straight out of a postcard.
In those days, reaching the lake, located at an altitude of nearly a thousand meters, was difficult. Only a handful of dedicated anglers knew the way here, enjoying perfect tranquility while catching perch, pike, zander, carp, tench, and trout. In 1884, a certain August Terne, enchanted by the lake’s beauty, purchased it for 10,000 gold marks and envisioned it as a resort. Despite initial skepticism from local authorities, Terne built a small guest house on the eastern shore in 1900.
Soon, news of this idyllic spot, where the azure sky blends with turquoise waters and where even on the hottest day a pleasant coolness is felt, spread throughout Munich, and groups of tourists began to flock here. By 1913, Terne’s sons had expanded it into a small hotel, which could accommodate around 200 guests. Since 1972, the hotel—significantly expanded—has been owned by the family once again. Eibsee is also considered their private property, although swimming is permitted for everyone. In the guest book, there is even a note of gratitude from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, so the state of zen at Eibsee is officially documented.
Eibsee is known for its seven small islands and eight bays, unique in shape within the region. Besides offering beautiful views, the surroundings also provide various activities. You can hike around the lake—a circuit takes about 3 hours, covering approximately 7 km. Fishing is particularly popular at Lake Eibsee, which hosts various fish species, including lake trout, Arctic char, rainbow trout, American brook trout, and European grayling. A valid license and a day pass are required for fishing in Eibsee’s waters. In the summer, you can go boating, paddleboarding, and swimming. The water temperature, even on hot summer days, rarely exceeds 23°C, making it refreshingly cool during the heat.
To satisfy the hunger brought on by all these exciting activities, you can visit the Eibsee Pavillon, or Eibsee Alm— restaurants offering views of the lake.
Another must-do when visiting Eibsee is taking the Zugspitze cable car, which offers sensational views of the lake from above, nestled among emerald-green forests and dizzying vertical drops. The trip to the summit of Zugspitze, located at nearly 3,000 meters, is a captivating experience in itself.
Just 8 km away is the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which also offers cozy charm and a variety of options for both leisurely strolls and shopping, as well as for sports activities.
You can reach Lake Eibsee
- from Munich by car, with the journey along the A95 taking approximately 1.5-2 hours.
- Alternatively, take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and then use a bus or taxi.
- If you enjoy hiking, you can reach the Untergrainau station and from there, take a picturesque route that will lead you to the lake in about two hours, all the while enjoying beautiful views.
