Lake Forggensee

Lake Forggensee near Füssen in the Bavarian Allgäu is Bavaria's largest reservoir, with the Alps as a backdrop and Neuschwanstein Castle just beyond its shore. It is a lovely add-on to a visit to the castle: you can take a boat trip, walk or cycle the shoreline, or simply sit on the bank and watch the mountains. Because the water level changes through the year, the lake looks quite different from season to season.

A reservoir, not a natural lake

Forggensee covers 15.2 square kilometers, making it the fifth-largest lake in Bavaria. It is man-made: between 1950 and 1954 the Lech river was dammed near Roßhaupten, which replaced the much smaller historical lake of Füssen. The hydroelectric plant has a rated capacity of 45.5 megawatts, and the reservoir also helps with flood control. According to the boat operator, the lake is up to 12 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide and reaches its normal level in mid-June. In winter the level drops sharply and exposes the lake bed.

Boat trips

Passenger boats have run on the lake since 1955. In 2026 they sail daily from June 1 to October 15. The small round trip on the MS Allgäu takes about an hour and leaves five times a day from the harbor in Füssen. The grand round trip on the MS Füssen takes around two hours and goes to the power station at Roßhaupten. From September 28 to October 15 there are only two grand trips, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. A trip can be canceled because of fog, storm or high water. As of October 2026, the small trip costs 16 euros for adults (8 euros for children), the grand trip 22 euros (11 euros for children), and bicycles or dogs cost 4 euros each. Tickets are sold on board and online.

Walking and cycling

A loop around the lake is about 30 kilometers, according to hiking and cycling sites, and mostly flat. Most people start at the Füssen harbor. Along the way you get views of Neuschwanstein Castle, and a detour leads to the Lech Falls. If you want a shorter day, use the boat for part of the loop.

Getting there

The harbor is at Weidachstraße 86 in Füssen. Füssen has a train connection from Munich via Deutsche Bahn, and the lake is reachable from town on foot, by bus or by bike. We found no parking fee information, but expect crowds on nice days.

Practical tips

• Check the current water level before you plan, since the lake looks very different through the year.
• KönigsCard holders can ride one of the round trips for free once a week.
• Combine the lake with Neuschwanstein for a full day trip from Munich.
• Dogs and bicycles each cost 4 euros on the boats.