Walchensee Lake

Address: Walchensee, Bavaria, Germany

Walchensee is an alpine lake in Bavaria in southern Germany, notable for its deep, cold waters and scenic mountain surrounds. The lake covers roughly 16.4 square kilometres and reaches a maximum depth of about 192 metres.

Shoreline villages such as Urfeld provide boat launches, beaches and accommodation; the lake is popular for sailing, windsurfing and summer swimming, while trails and cable cars on nearby ridges attract hikers and mountain visitors. The clear water and steep shores make for pronounced scenic contrasts between the lake surface and surrounding peaks.

Hydropower infrastructure uses the lake as part of regional electricity generation and the area has long been a destination for outdoor recreation and day trips from Bavarian towns.

Walchensee lies in the Bavarian Alps, south of Kochel am See, with alpine ridges such as the Herzogstand rising directly above the lake.

• Size and depth: Surface area is approximately 16.4 square kilometres and the lake reaches a maximum depth of about 192 metres, making it one of Germany’s deepest lakes.
• Elevation and activity: The lake sits at an elevation of about 802 metres, giving it an Alpine lake climate popular with windsurfers and sailors.

What to See#

• Urfeld and lakeside villages: Urfeld and the small lakeside settlements on the north shore act as main access points for boating, swimming and shoreline accommodation.
• Herzogstand ridge: The adjacent Herzogstand ridge provides popular hiking routes and an alpine viewpoint above the lake at roughly 1,730 metres elevation.

Walchensee is in Upper Bavaria near the town of Kochel am See. From Munich you can drive via the A95 and local roads (approximately 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic) and park near the lake; alternatively take a regional train from Munich to Kochel and then a short local bus or taxi ride down to Walchensee. Local roads run along the lake shore with parking and short walking approaches to popular spots.

• Arrive early in the day for mirror-like water and fewer day-trippers, especially on summer weekends when the Kesselberg road and lake access points become busy.
• Park and start from the village of Walchensee or Urfeld to access the main lakeshore walks and boat rental points; these village access points are the practical bases most locals use.
• If you have time, take the short steep walk up to Jochberg or the Herzogstand area for the classic panoramic viewpoint over Walchensee - many visitors stay at the shore and miss those high-angle views.