Spitzingsee: High-mountain lake framed by dark mountain forests

Spitzingsee has a distinctly Alpine character: the lake is Bavaria’s largest high-mountain lake by area, covers 28 hectares, and is framed by dark mountain forests. If you are looking for accommodation, you can plan your stay around the seasonal experience you want—summer and winter bring different activities to the fore.

Summer and winter days at Spitzingsee

In summer, Spitzingsee serves as a starting point for numerous hikes and mountain tours of all difficulty levels. This range makes the level of challenge a useful planning filter: consider whether you have a hike or a mountain tour in mind, and what level of difficulty suits your plans. This lets you tailor your choice to the activity you want to enjoy that day.

In winter, the Spitzingsee area is suitable for skiing. The area is listed as having 30 kilometres of ski slopes and 18 cable cars and lifts. As recreational facilities can change, check these details again before planning your trip.

When looking for accommodation, the season is a useful first point of reference: summer hikes and mountain tours contrast with winter skiing. Consider which of these types of activity you want to shape your stay; this will help you plan your trip around the experiences you are looking for in Spitzingsee.

Culture and trails in Schliersee

In the wider Schliersee destination, the Markus Wasmeier Open-Air Museum features an Upper Bavarian farm village with historic buildings faithfully reconstructed. Visitors can see traditional crafts such as shoemaking and blacksmithing, as well as beer brewing based on historical methods. Demonstrations may vary by date; if you are interested in a particular presentation, plan your visit around its scheduled date.

The Schliersee Local History Museum has been housed in the Schredl House since 1916; the building dates from the 14th century. St. Sixtus Church in Schliersee was built between 1712 and 1715 on the site of a medieval predecessor. Johann Baptist Zimmermann created the ceiling frescoes and stuccowork there; the church also houses a Throne of Mercy by Erasmus Grasser, dating from 1490. The buildings and artworks offer different ways to explore the history of the town.

The circular trail around Schliersee is about 7 km long and mostly flat. Along the route there are benches and lakeside viewpoints, as well as swimming coves; an educational tree trail is also part of the official lakeside circuit. Most of the route is paved and easy to travel along. Because there are a few short climbs, a companion is recommended. The Vitalwelt in Schliersee is one possible starting point; you can choose your direction in the adjoining spa park.

An annual event at the Schliersee Local History Museum is the year-end gathering: the Schliersee Local History Society invites visitors every year on 31 December.

Discover more destinations

Also explore Fischhausen, Josefsthal.

For the wider travel overview: Schliersee.