Walchensee Hydroelectric Power Station

The Walchensee Hydroelectric Power Station in Kochel am See is one of Germany's great industrial landmarks and still produces electricity a century after it opened. Six enormous steel pipes carry water from Lake Walchensee down roughly 200 m (650 ft) to Lake Kochel, where a grand turbine hall turns it into power. The visitor center is free, making it an easy and rewarding stop on any day trip into the Bavarian Alps.

Where it is and how to get there

The plant sits in the hamlet of Altjoch on the southern shore of Lake Kochel, at the foot of the Kesselberg pass, about 70 km (45 miles) south of Munich. By car, take the A95 autobahn toward Garmisch, exit at Murnau/Kochel and drive on to Kochel am See; the trip takes about an hour. By train, the regional Kochelsee line runs from Munich via Tutzing to Kochel, and the Deutschlandticket is valid. From Kochel station it is a few more kilometers to the plant, so check local bus times or plan a lakeside walk.

Why it matters

Engineer Oskar von Miller, founder of Munich's Deutsches Museum, pushed the project for decades. Construction began in 1918, and the first turbine went online on January 24, 1924. A key purpose was powering Bavaria's electrified railways, and four of the eight turbines still generate railway current today. With about 124 MW of capacity, it remains one of Germany's largest high-head storage plants. It has been a protected monument since 1983.

What you will see

• Six penstocks, each about 430 m (1,410 ft) long, running down the forested slope
• The surge tank at the top, lit up at night along with one pipe
• The machine hall with rows of turquoise turbines and generators
• Exhibits on hydropower and energy in the visitor center

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

According to the operator Uniper's 2026 program, the visitor center is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Mondays only when they are public holidays. The 2026 season ends on November 8. Admission is free and no booking is needed. Group tours can be requested by email or phone; English-language tours are not advertised, so ask in advance.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like engineering or need a rainy-day option. Most visitors spend 45 to 90 minutes here. Pair it with the scenic drive up the Kesselberg to Lake Walchensee, the cable car up Mount Herzogstand, or the Franz Marc Museum in Kochel.