I’ve always liked to visit alpine lakes during hikes, such as the Garibaldi Lake hike in Canada or the Ala Kul hike in Kyrgyzstan. However, during my trip to Bavaria in 2024, the Eibsee left quite an impression too! You can find the Eibsee in Bavaria at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain – the Zugspitze. The view on the lake is completely different each season, from bright blue surfaces in summer to being surrounded by colourful trees in autumn. When visiting, don’t miss out on the 7.5km loop trail around the lake, offering beautiful mountain backdrops, making it one of the best hikes in southern Germany. Alternatively, you can go for a boat ride or a swim. Either way, the Eibsee is a place in Bavaria you can’t miss.
In this Eibsee travel guide, I’ll take you along the Eibsee in Bavaria while hiking the loop trail and sharing practical travel tips and accommodation suggestions. This lake is worth a visit and should be part of every Bavarian itinerary.
Check out how to best spend 7 days in Bavaria, Germany. (Coming soon)
Eibsee Hotel (€400), Bavaria Biohotel (€200), Ferienwohnung Theresia (€150), Hotel Schatten (€160)
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The Eibsee is located in Bavaria, just outside the town of Grainau, which is about 100km south of Munich. It lies directly at the base of the Zugspitze. It is one of the most popular day trips from Munich.
The easiest way to get to Eibsee is by car. You can park your car at the large parking lot for the Zugspitze/Eibsee. Parking fees are €8 for a full day. By public transport, you can take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and from there take the Zugspitzbahn (an old cogwheel train) directly to the Zugspitzstation and therewith Eibsee.
The best months to visit the Eibsee are May to October, when the weather is pleasant and the trail is accessible. I loved to visit the Eibsee in autumn due to the beautiful autumn colours, but would also love to go back in summer for the bright blue colours. In peak season, it is best to arrive early to avoid crowds.
The “Eibsee Rundweg” is an easy circular hike around the lake of 7.5 kilometers. The trail is easy with limited elevation and takes around 2 hours to complete. Therewith, it is a perfect half-day activity. We combined our visit to Eibsee with a visit to Neuschwanstein in the morning. The Eibsee lake loop is ideal for all levels and offers amazing views all around.
The circular path offers a wide range of amazing photography opportunities. Some of my favourite spots along the trail can be found in the second half of the loop hike.
Overall, you can find some amazing locations that offer great reflections of the Zugspitze, showcase the hotel located next to the lake (this reminded me of Lago di Braies!), and the wooden jetties around the lake.
Trail sections and highlights
You start your hike from the Eibsee Hotel, walking clockwise around the lake. When starting the hike, you will soon see some jetties and boats, showcasing the first beauty of the area. Afterwards, you will start seeing more mountain views and a cute little boathouse.
Midway through the loop trail, you will see multiple small islands in the water, making for amazing photo spots. Furthermore, there is a little lake, offering amazing mountain views. You can find the most picturesque locations and swimming spots between the north shore and the east shore. During the final part of the hike, you have a great view of the Eibsee hotel.
Between May and October, you can rent a boat or stand-up paddleboard near the lake’s entrance to explore the lake from a different perspective and enjoy the waters! I would mainly recommend this in peak summer, when the water is suitable for a swim. In the morning, the water is calmest and the lake is less crowded.
As mentioned, the Eibsee is located next to Germany’s highest mountain: the Zugspitze. If you would love to visit the Zugspitze as well, this is the perfect time to do it. In 10-minutes, the cable car takes you up to around 3000 meters, rewarding you with views over Germany and Austria. We haven’t visited the Zugspitze as we didn’t think it was worth our value for money, having visited many amazing mountains.
You can also visit the Zugspitze from München.
There aren’t many restaurants around the Eibsee, so the choice is limited. Therefore, I would recommend bringing a picknick and settling somewhere around the lake if you want to enjoy some food. Alternatively, you can visit the restaurant of Hotel Eibsee for dinner or lunch or relax at Seerestaurant Eibsee Pavilion. From both, you have amazing views over the lake!
When you are planning on visiting the Eibsee and exploring more locations in Bavaria, such as the Partnachklamm (Guide coming soon!), I would recommend staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where you have plenty of restaurants and bars available and can enjoy a central location. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy continuous lake views, the Eibsee Hotel is a real treat! Generally, it is important to book early, as accommodation sells out quickly.
Eibsee Hotel: Ideal if you want to wake up with a view! It is a higher-end hotel option, but amazing if you want to treat yourself with private lake access and luxurious facilities. Prices are around €400 a night.
Bavaria Biohotel: A beautiful and centrally located hotel in the city center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The rooms are cozy and bright and a breakfast buffet is served in the morning. Rooms start from around €200 a night.
Ferienwohnung Theresia: If you prefer an apartment, this is the perfect place to stay. Centrally located with all the comfort you need, including private parking and a balcony. Prices start from €150 a night.
Hotel Schatten: Located on 700 meters from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen centre, this is a great location when visiting Bavaria. The wooden touch brings the wintersport and southern-Germany vibes. There is a minimum stay of 3 nights, starting at €160 a night.
Whether you’re hiking the Eibsee lake loop, riding the cable car to the Zugspitze or will just be enjoying the views over the Eibsee, this destination offers much in a short time. This alpine lake is scenic and incredibly accessible – making it perfect to add to your Bavarian trip!
Into hiking in Europe? Also, check out my detailed guides on the Dolomites.
