Eibsee (Lake Eibsee)

Eibsee is an emerald-green mountain lake near Grainau in the Bavarian Alps, set directly beneath the north face of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Its clear water, a scatter of small wooded islands and the wall of rock rising almost 6,500 feet above it make it one of the most photographed natural sights in Germany. About 90 minutes from Munich, it works well as a day trip, especially if you combine it with the cable car to the Zugspitze summit.

Why Eibsee is so special

The lake owes its shape to a massive rockslide. Roughly 3,700 years ago, part of the Zugspitze massif's western flank collapsed, and the debris tumbled into a basin carved by an Ice Age glacier. Those boulders created the bays, shallows and the eight little islands along the northern shore that give the lake its almost tropical look on sunny days. Locals sometimes joke about the "Bavarian Caribbean."

Eibsee has no visible inflow or outflow. It is fed by springs, streams and snowmelt and drains underground, which keeps the water remarkably clear. The name comes from the yew trees (Eiben) that once grew here. Unusually, the lake is privately owned: August Terne bought it in 1884, and his descendants still run the Eibsee-Hotel on the northeast shore.

Key facts:

• Elevation: about 3,190 feet (973 m)
• Area: about 0.7 square miles, roughly 1.5 miles long
• Depth: more than 100 feet at the deepest point

Things to do at Eibsee

• Walk the loop trail. The lakeshore path is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km) long and takes around two hours. It starts at the parking area in front of the Eibsee-Hotel; the lake owners recommend walking counterclockwise. The trail is mostly flat and stroller-friendly in summer, with the best island views on the western side.
• Rent a boat. Rowboats and pedal boats are available at the hotel shore, and the historic excursion boat "Reserl" offers tours of the lake. Motorized boats of any kind are not allowed.
• Go for a swim. Swimming is permitted, and the water reaches about 68 to 72°F in midsummer. The shore is rocky, so water shoes help.
• Ride up the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze cable car leaves from a station right by the lake and climbs to the 9,718-foot summit on the Austrian border.

How to get to Eibsee

From Munich by train: Regional trains run from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in about 80 minutes. From there, take the Bavarian Zugspitze Railway (a cog railway) to the Eibsee stop, about 330 yards from the shore, or the Eibsee bus (lines 314, 315 and 323). Note that the Deutschlandticket covers the cog railway only between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Grainau; you need a separate ticket for the final stretch to Eibsee.

By car: Allow about 90 minutes from Munich via the A95 autobahn, or 15 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There is only one access road, and on sunny weekends traffic backs up. Parking at the Eibsee-Hotel lot costs €10 for up to four hours, with early-bird parking from 5 to 9:30 a.m. for €2.50. The cable car's lot lists €20 for four hours, discounted for cable car passengers. Overnight parking is not allowed at the hotel lot, and there is no space for RVs (as of October 2026).

Is Eibsee worth visiting?

Yes, if you time it right. Eibsee has become an Instagram favorite, and summer weekends can feel crowded. Arrive before 10 a.m., or come in late spring or early fall when the water is still bright turquoise but the trail is quieter. There is no entrance fee; you only pay for parking, transport and activities.

The lake is a protected landscape area, so stay on marked paths and leave the islands undisturbed. Families will find the loop trail easy, with plenty of pebbly coves to break up the walk.

Nearby attractions

• Zugspitze: Germany's highest summit, reachable by cable car from the lake or by cog railway and glacier gondola.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen: The best-known resort in the Bavarian Alps, with painted houses, the Olympic ski jump and the Partnach Gorge.
• Grainau: A quiet village at the foot of the Zugspitze and a good base for hiking.
• Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau: Both are within easy driving distance for a longer day out.