Beautiful lakes are simply wonderful for swimming in the summer. Who doesn’t love the refreshing cool down on a hot summer day? In Bavaria, there are numerous bathing spots waiting to be discovered.
Whether after work, on a relaxing vacation day or at the end of a strenuous hike: swimming a few puffs in the refreshing water simply brings the perfect summer feeling. If you prefer to go out into nature rather than to a crowded open-air swimming pool, we have put together a few swimming spots in Bavaria for you:
The Buchenegger waterfalls in the Allgäu: Action and cooling down.
Have you ever bathed in a gump? You don’t know what that is? In the Allgäu, a gump is a basin-shaped whirlpool that has been washed out by a torrent. You can find such a gump, for example, below the Buchenegger Waterfalls in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park in the Allgäu. With the 18-meter high waterfall, a real adventure pool awaits you here – even with natural diving towers: 17 or even 30-meter high rock ledges can be jumped down by the most daring to refresh themselves in the ice-cold water.
Location: It’s best to plan a swim in the Gumpe as a cool-down during a circular hike in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park. Starting point is the train station in Oberstaufen. From there you go via Ifen to Buchenegg. From the parking lot of the Buchenegg waterfalls, a steep path leads directly to the gumpe. If you don’t want to hike back on the direct way, you can walk up through the forest after bathing and return to the train station in Oberstaufen via a small alpine pasture, Steibis, Höfen and the Weißachtal.
Hackensee near Holzkirchen: Perfect for those seeking peace and quiet
Lake Hackensee is hidden in a forest near Kleinhartpenning. Despite many water plants in places, you can swim in the completely natural lake. Small footbridges and a sunbathing lawn at the western end provide additional comfort. By the way, the idyllic lake was the filming location for some scenes of the movie “Wer früher stirbt, ist länger tot” (Who dies earlier, is dead longer).
This is also a good place to combine hiking and swimming. Also a walk around the lake always brings new, exciting perspectives – all the more refreshing is the cooling down afterwards.
Location: The old Bavarian village of Kleinhartpenning belongs to the municipality of Holzkirchen in the district of Miesbach. There is a parking lot on the outskirts of the village, from which Hackensee is easy to reach.
Spitzingsee: Bathing in the mountain lake
Most people know the Spitzingsee from skiing – especially from Munich it is easy to reach. But you can also swim in the mountain lake on hot days. The scenery that surrounds you quickly makes you forget the fresh 18 degree water temperature: Rotwand, Rotkopf and Brecherspitz are just three of the many surrounding mountains of the Mangfall Mountains that you can see from the lake.
In addition, several circular trails of varying difficulty lead around the lake. The shortest path leads directly along the lake shore and can also be mastered by families with strollers (duration approx. 1 hour). Hiking and swimming can therefore be optimally combined at Spitzingsee.
Location: Spitzingsee is located in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps, just south of Schliersee and east of Tegernsee.
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The Altmühlsee: First cycling, then bathing
The Altmühlsee is not just a real highlight for swimming. Cyclists and water sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth here. A bike path leads around the entire lake, while on the water windsurfers and sailors enjoy the summer.
In the northern part of the lake is the Bird Island. It is one of the most important protected areas for migratory birds in Bavaria. Nevertheless, you may enter the island on foot via the wooden footbridge. Especially the visit of the observation tower is worthwhile.
Location: The Altmühlsee is located in the wide valley of the upper Altmühl, northwest of Gunzenhausen.
The Ammersee: Rediscovering the old familiar
The Ammersee is certainly not an insider tip. Nevertheless, those who like to swim in front of a mountain backdrop might be very taken with it: On the eastern shore, gravel beaches with sunbathing areas and refreshment stops await, while the western shore also offers natural sections. If the cool water alone is not enough, Herrsching has Germany’s longest lakeside promenade. Over eight kilometers, the path leads you along the shore, it crosses the spa gardens and circles a small bay – along the way, there are always swimming opportunities.
Location: The Ammersee is easy to reach for many in Bavaria. It is located between Munich and Landsberg am Lech and is also an attractive destination for visitors from Augsburg, 50 kilometers away – there is accordingly a lot going on there in the summer.
Tip: To avoid the hustle and bustle of the Ammersee, you can also take a look at the other four lakes of the so-called Fünfseenland, to which the Ammersee belongs: Starnberger See, Pilsensee, Wörthsee and Weßlinger See. They all have excellent water quality, and especially the latter three are usually a bit more tranquil.
Walchensee – the Caribbean of Bavaria
Who sees the Walchensee for the first time, may hardly believe to be in Bavaria: turquoise-blue shimmers the water, in which the Karwendel mountains are reflected on sunny days. Not for nothing is the lake often called the Bavarian Caribbean. However, you quickly remember that you are in the Alps when you jump into the water: the water temperature is 16 to 18 degrees, even in summer. The grandiose mountain backdrop and the tourist flair make for a vacation feeling. You will not feel lonely here. In the south and east of the lake, however, there are also natural beaches.
Location: Walchensee is located 75 kilometers south of Munich in the district of Bad Tölz – Wolfratshausen.
Lake Sylvenstein: A touch of Canada
The sight of Lake Sylvenstein also evokes vacation feelings in many a visitor. The turquoise-blue lake, nestled in a breathtaking mountain panorama, could just as well be in Canada. Although it was artificially created, its wild shores offer a unique natural backdrop.
North and southwest of the small village of Fall are larger swimming holes. While walking along the shore, you will come across smaller bathing spots again and again. If you feel like it, the best way to get there is by bike: The Isartalradweg and the Via Bavarica Tyrolensis lead directly to the shore.
Location: The Sylvensteinspeicher is located a little south of Lenggries.
The Felsenbad in Pottenstein: Bathing has a tradition here
The Felsenbad in Pottenstein is an outdoor pool, but its imposing rocky backdrop almost makes you forget that. In addition, natural bathing spots are relatively rare in northern Bavaria. The spacious pond, whose water is naturally purified in a regeneration zone, comes in very handy.
In addition, the bath has tradition: It was already opened in 1926 and is considered one of the most beautiful open-air baths in Germany with its Art Nouveau style walls.
Location: You will find the bath about 500 meters outside of Pottenstein in the district of Bayreuth opposite the Schöngrundsee.
Waldsee Lindenberg: Bathing in soft moor water
The Waldsee is idyllically situated and yet can be reached in a few minutes from the center of Lindenberg. The soft moor water invites you to swim, and there are sunbathing lawns along the shore.
Those who have had enough of splashing around can discover various well-signposted hiking trails around the Waldsee. A moor nature trail leads directly around the lake.
Location: The Waldsee is located east of Lindenberg in Ostallgäu.
Hütsee: Swimming right next to the nature reserve
If you are looking for nature and tranquility, Hütsee is the right place for you. Most of the shore area belongs to the Hassberge nature reserve. Therefore, swimming is just allowed at the designated place – there it is all the more beautiful for it.
Location: The lake is located about ten kilometers north of Bamberg on the outskirts of Kemmern.
