Top 20 Lakes around Oberammergau

Several lakes near Oberammergau offer excellent swimming opportunities. Lake Staffelsee is known for its relatively warm water due to its shallow depth and moorland content, making it pleasant for swimming. The Seebad Murnau on Lake Staffelsee provides amenities like a spacious lawn, deck chairs, and a diving board. Soier See, a small moor lake, also warms up quickly, making it suitable for swimming even in spring and autumn. Eibsee and Ammersee are also popular for swimming in their clear waters.

Yes, many lakes in the region are family-friendly. Lake Staffelsee is a great choice, with family-friendly swimming areas like Gemeindebad Uffing offering amenities such as umbrellas, paddleboards, and shaded grassy areas. Pflegersee also has a small swimming area with a kiosk. The Eibsee Loop Trail is an easy walk suitable for all levels, and Ammersee offers public access to its eastern shore, ideal for families.

You'll find a variety of hiking trails. For example, the South Shore Trail at Lake Staffelsee offers a beautiful, easy-to-navigate path with consistent lake views. Around Eibsee, the 7.5-kilometer Eibsee Loop Trail is an easy two-hour walk with stunning views of the Zugspitze. Plansee offers various trails, including a moderately difficult circular trail to the Stuiben Falls and an easy loop around the lake itself. For more hiking options in the wider region, explore the Hiking around Oberammergau guide.

Absolutely. The region offers excellent cycling opportunities. The Murnauer Moos Nature Reserve provides an enjoyable and easy bike ride along the largest Alpine moor in Central Europe. Ammersee is also popular for cycling, with almost its entire eastern shore publicly accessible. For more cycling routes, check out the Cycling around Oberammergau guide and the Road Cycling Routes around Oberammergau guide.

Plansee, located in Austria, is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. You can enjoy swimming, diving in its clear waters, sailing, surfing, and fishing. Boat rentals, including electric boats and pedal boats, are available. The lake also offers scenic hiking and cycling trails, and its proximity to attractions like Neuschwanstein Castle makes it a great base for exploration.

Eibsee is often considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps, nestled at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze. Its crystal-clear, blue-green water and numerous small islands create a picturesque landscape. The Eibsee Loop Trail offers amazing views and photographic opportunities, especially of the Zugspitze reflections. Visitors can also rent paddle boats or rowboats, or take a trip on the historic passenger ship 'Reserl'.

Yes, Soier See is a small moor lake located directly in Bad Bayersoien. Its brown, mineral-rich water warms up quickly, making it ideal for swimming. The lake also offers boat rentals, sport fishing, and a 2.5-kilometer barefoot course, providing a unique natural experience.

Pflegersee is a beautiful mountain lake with a restaurant and a small swimming area that includes a kiosk. It's easily accessible by car and offers picturesque views, particularly of the Königsstand mountain range.

The lakes are popular year-round, each season offering different experiences. Summer is ideal for swimming, boating, and water sports, with lakes like Staffelsee warming up nicely. Spring and autumn are great for hiking and cycling, enjoying the scenery without the summer crowds. In winter, some lakes like Staffelsee become popular for curling and ice skating, while Eibsee offers pleasant walks even when frozen.

Ammersee, Bavaria's third-largest lake, offers a more local feel. It's excellent for swimming, cycling, and hiking, with most of its eastern shore publicly accessible. Popular spots include Herrsching with its Kurpark, Diessen known for pottery, and Utting with a beach and diving tower. Boat cruises are available, and the lake is favored for sailing and surfing due to good wind conditions. The ancient Benedictine monastery of Andechs, famous for its brewery, is also nearby.

Beyond the lake loops, the Murnauer Moos Nature Reserve is a significant natural area near Staffelsee. It's the largest Alpine moor in Central Europe, offering unique impressions and views of surrounding peaks, with easy hiking and biking trails.