Obersee (Königssee) Lake
Upper lake in the scenic Königssee valley
Beyond the main Königssee boat route lies the quieter Obersee, ringed by limestone cliffs; visitors hike to the shore, continue to Röthbachfall waterfall and photograph the mountain reflections.
Obersee (Königssee) at a Glance#
Address: Obersee (Königssee), Berchtesgadener Land, Bavaria, Germany
About Obersee (Königssee)#
Obersee is the small upper basin of the Königssee lake in Bavaria, Germany, located within Berchtesgaden National Park. It sits beyond the narrow main body of Königssee and is noted for its clear water and steep mountain backdrop.
The area is appreciated for short boat excursions and walking trails that link the main Königssee points to the western Salet landing and the trail to the Röthbachfall waterfall. The setting is compact and alpine, with steep rock faces and forested slopes around the lake.
The basin formed naturally by glacial action and has remained a distinctive sub-section of the larger Königssee system, with limited development and protection under the national park. Its watercourse is fed from high alpine streams and falls.
Obersee sits at the southern end of the Königssee, surrounded by the Berchtesgaden massif; the nearest town with road access is Schönau am Königssee, a few kilometres from the main boat landing on the lower lake.
- Access: Reached by boat from the main Königssee boat service or by hiking trails within Berchtesgaden National Park; boating schedules vary seasonally.
What to See#
- Salet landing: Salet is the landing point and small flat area at the west end of Obersee where boats from Königssee disembark and a short trail heads to the Röthbachfall.
- Röthbachfall: Röthbachfall is the high waterfall that feeds the Obersee and can be seen from the trail and boat landing; it is one of Germany’s tallest free-falling waterfalls.
How to Get to Obersee (Königssee)#
Obersee is reached by boat and a short walk from the Königsee pier near Schönau am Königssee. Regular electric boat services operate on Königssee; a roughly 20-30 minute boat ride and a short hike lead to Obersee viewpoints.
Tips for Visiting Obersee (Königssee)#
- Arrive early in the day to enjoy the south-leaning light on the lake and to avoid afternoon tour-boat traffic.
- Combine with a boat trip on Königssee - the Obersee sits at the lake's eastern end and requires a short walk from the boat landing.
- Bring waterproof footwear for the short, sometimes muddy path that leads to the Obersee's dramatic viewpoint and waterfalls.
Best Time to Visit Obersee (Königssee)#
Best in late spring through early autumn for boat access and clear reflections; early mornings offer the calmest water.
Weather & Climate near Obersee (Königssee)#
Obersee (Königssee)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1295 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -8° - 1° | -6° | 80 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -7° - 2° | -5° | 68 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 6° | -1° | 81 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 10° | 3° | 84 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 15° | 9° | 111 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 7° - 18° | 13° | 166 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 9° - 21° | 15° | 181 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 9° - 20° | 15° | 159 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 17° | 11° | 111 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 12° | 6° | 79 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -3° - 5° | -1° | 85 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -6° - 1° | -5° | 90 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
