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ITINERARY (1/2 Day)
Lake Eibsee
Lake Eibsee Loop Trail
nugget’s Advice
Prepare in advance
To avoid the crowd of tourists at the restaurant, pack a picnic lunch, blanket and swimsuits for a lunch break at one of the lake beaches. You can hike around the lake with your stroller, but sometimes it is a bit rocky. Plan some additional time for the hike.
Good to know
Lake Eibsee is accessible as a day-trip from Munich; therefore, on the weekend it can be crowded with day-trippers. The lake is less crowded during the week.
Recommended time of the year
Lake Eibsee can be visited throughout the year, although the summer months are nice for a picnic by the lake and for swimming. A word of warning, even in the summer months the water is quite cold.
About This Day
Explore Germany's Eibsee with kids with this family-friendly itinerary. The Eibsee lake is known to be one of the most beautiful in all of Bavaria. Take the family on a hike around the lake and you will understand, as the Germans say it is like "balm for the soul." Discover secluded beaches and stop for a picnic, dip your feet in the crystal clear water or enjoy the majestic views of the Zugspitze from a boat. Green forests, snow-capped mountains, fresh air and shades of blue and green water, “Balsam für die Seele”. Just a few hours here will refresh your mind. Your kids will love to discover the many wonders of southern Germany’s jewel of a lake.
Lake Eibsee
Seeweg, Grainau
FREE
The beautiful Eibsee is located at the base of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, in the southern Bavarian alps. The water offers many different shades of blue and green from the minerals it absorbs. You can hike, have an icy-cold, refreshing swim and picnic with Bavarian food and beer next to the Eibsee. Furthermore, enjoy the striking views of the snow-capped Alps from the lake, which are great for photography. We love the Eibsee with kids because it is a good area for both relaxing, playing and walking. This day-trip is a family-friendly and memorable way to enjoy the beautiful Bavarian nature.
DIRECTIONS
By car from Munich, drive along the A95 freeway for a little more than an hour to reach Lake Eibsee. Drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then approximately 10 minutes to Grainau. By bus, take the blue Eibsee bus, which services Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau, and the Eibsee lake, the bus stop is 100 meters (328 feet) from the lake. By train, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn BZB trains stop in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau and at the Eibsee lake – the Zugspitzbahnhof train and cable car station is 300 meters (984 feet) from the lake.
TIP
If you plan to visit Lake Eibsee on the weekend, try to arrive before 11 a.m. to avoid waiting at the parking lot for a free space.
Lake Eibsee Loop Trail
Unnamed Road, Grainau
FREE
The Loop Trail is 7.5 km (4.7 miles) and takes about one hour. Described as "balm for the souls" in many hiking guides. Hikers can enjoy breathtaking views of the emerald-green waters of the picturesque Eibsee against the backdrop of the imposing cliffs and summit of the Zugspitze.
If you don’t want to hike the whole trail, you can board a tour boat halfway around the lake. Check times of departure and further information at the boat rental desk. Benches are placed at regular intervals so there are more than enough opportunities to enjoy a short break. The scenery is beautiful and there are plenty of places to sunbathe, swim or go boating.
DIRECTIONS
The trail is 7.5 km (4.7 miles) and starts at the parking lot in front of the Eibsee Hotel and is best hiked in a counterclockwise direction.
TIP
This path is shared with bikers so be prepared to meet the occasional, inconsiderate racer.
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