Lake Kochel

Lake Kochel (Kochelsee) is a clear Alpine foothill lake in Upper Bavaria with views of the Herzogstand, Heimgarten and Jochberg mountains. It lies about 70 kilometers south of Munich and works as an easy day trip: you can swim, walk the shoreline, ride a boat or visit a famous art museum. For travelers who want Bavarian mountain scenery without the crowds of the Neuschwanstein area, it is a relaxed alternative.

About the lake

The lake sits at roughly 600 meters above sea level, covers about 5.9 square kilometers and reaches a depth of 65.9 meters. It was carved by the Isar-Loisach glacier during the last ice age and is the remainder of a much larger basin that once reached the town of Penzberg. The Loisach river feeds it and leaves at its northern end. Water from the Walchensee also arrives through a hydroelectric plant.

Swimming and activities

Public swimming spots around the lake are free, according to the regional tourism board. The largest sunbathing lawn is at the Kristall Therme, while the pebble beach near the Franz Marc Museum has a gentle entry that suits children. There are no lifeguards, though the water rescue service patrols weekends and holidays. Fires, barbecues and camping are banned. The lake is a bird sanctuary, so dogs should stay on a leash and out of the water. Windsurfers and kitesurfers like the strong breeze.

Walking around the lake

A trail circles the lake for about 14 to 15 kilometers, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours. The highlight is the Felsenweg on the south shore, a path beneath a steep rock wall. For a shorter outing, walk from Altjoch to Schlehdorf in about an hour and return by bus or boat. Boats leave from Kochel, and sources say the season runs from May to October, so check the current timetable.

Getting there

Kochel am See is about one hour from Munich by car via the A95 highway. You can also take a train to Kochel station, then walk about 15 minutes to the Franz Marc Museum. Bus line 9611 runs from the station to Schlehdorf. Parking at the lake is often limited, and the lot at the museum charges a fee. Check Deutsche Bahn for current connections.

Nearby

The Franz Marc Museum by the shore shows work by the painter of the Blue Rider movement and is open Tuesday through Sunday, according to the museum. Serious hikers can use the lake as a base for the Herzogstand trails, and the northern moors host up to 200 bird species.