Fernsteinsee Lake
Alpine lake in Tyrol popular for scenery
An alpine tarn near the Fern Pass in Tyrol popular with hikers and day-trippers; clear water and mountain ridges make it a common stop on regional walking routes.
Fernsteinsee at a Glance#
Admission: Free
About Fernsteinsee#
Fernsteinsee is an alpine lake in Tyrol, Austria, located near the Fern Pass. It is a small mountain lake set in an alpine valley.
The lake is accessible from short walks off the nearby road and is used as a recreational stop for swimming, strolling, and enjoying views of surrounding peaks in summer months. Its clear water and mountain setting make it a common brief stop for travelers.
Fernsteinsee occupies a natural basin in a glacially sculpted valley and is part of the local alpine landscape. The lake and its immediate surroundings have long been crossed by the historic transalpine route through the Fern Pass.
Located on the Tyrolean side of the Fern Pass in western Tyrol, the lake sits alongside the main road through the pass and is visible from nearby pullouts and short trails.
- Access: roadside location near the Fern Pass makes it an easy stop for travelers crossing this Tyrolean mountain route.
How to Get to Fernsteinsee#
Fernsteinsee sits near the Fernpass on the B179 road between Reutte (Austria) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany). It is accessible by car; regional bus services stop at Fernpass. From the main Fernpass parking areas it’s a short walk to viewpoints around the lake.
Tips for Visiting Fernsteinsee#
- Park at the Fernpass (Fernpaß) area and use the marked trails; the short walk to viewpoints is rewardingly scenic.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Fern Pass (Fernpaß) road: historic milestones and memorials sit close to the lake and make for good short walks.
- Avoid the narrow alpine approach roads after heavy rain - they can become slippery and visibility can drop quickly.
Best Time to Visit Fernsteinsee#
Best late spring through early autumn for road access and warmest weather.
Weather & Climate near Fernsteinsee#
Fernsteinsee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1157 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 2° | -5° | 59 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 3° | -3° | 61 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 7° | 0° | 72 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 4° | 77 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 16° | 11° | 109 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.9h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 19° | 14° | 150 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 164 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 7° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 6° | 0° | 75 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 2° | -3° | 67 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
