Obersee & Königssee Lakes, how to see them both!
one location, two stunning lakes!
The Königssee and Obersee lakes are two of the most breathtaking locations in Germany.
Königssee or King’s Lake, is a long fjord like lake and the cleanest lake in Germany. If you navigate your way to the southern end of the Königssee you’ll find Obersee Lake, one of the most beautiful places in all of Germany!
Located in Bavaria (Bayern), quintessential Germany, you can e asily see both stunning lakes in a day and together, they equal one Bavarian dream destination!
Both lakes have emerald green crystal-clear water and are surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and forests. A visit to Lake Königssee and Obersee lakes is a must-see for anyone visiting Germany.
Emerald green water? I think Alpine lakes are the absolute prettiest lakes. Due to the cold conditions and runoff from snowmelt on the mountain, they are wonderfully clear and take on magical colors.
In this article I’ll tell you all about how you can see BOTH lakes in one fantastic outing! Here’s a quick rundown on how to see them both:
- Take a boat tour up Lake Königssee
- Disembark and take a short hike to Obersee Bayern
- Take the boat back!
- Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.
map
This map from Bayerische Seenschifffahrt has a good overview of the area and should help you get your bearings:
Stops explained:
- Seelände (Schönau / Schoenau) is where you catch the boat.
- St. Bartholomä (the only way to reach it is by boat or trails through the mountains) Stop here to see these: St. Bartholomä Church, a baroque church located on a peninsula that juts out into the lake, ice chapel (Eiskapelle) a glacier cave located on the eastern shore of the lake.
- Salet (mid-April to mid-October) this is where you get out to visit Obersee Bayern and Röthbachfall Waterfall
- Kessel (on request)
Konigssee Lake
Konigssee Lake is a natural lake that was formed by glaciers in the last ice age. Not only does it have the clearest water in Germany (it’s drinking water quality, go ahead and have a taste!), it is also considered one of Germany’s most beautiful lakes. I’ve always dreamed of visiting Norway with its dreamy fjords (someday!) When I saw photos of Konigssee I knew it had to go on my itinerary. Lake Königssee is Germany’s 3rd deepest lake and stretches for approximately 8 km.
Take a boat trip on Lake Königssee
Yes, the boat trip will get you from point A (the boat dock at Schönau am Königssee) to point B (Obersee) However, the excursion up the lengthy lake and back is an event all in itself and there are plenty of things to do along the way to fill an entire day!
The boat trip offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you glide along silently in one of the electric passenger boats. In order to preserve the clarity and cleanliness of the lake, only electric boats, rowing, and pedal boats have been permitted on the lake since 1909.
The echo chamber: The sheer rock walls that surround the lake create an echo known for its clarity. Traditionally your boat crew will stop on your tour and play a flugelhorn or trumpet to demonstrate the echo. The echo can reverberate up to 7 times and as the trumpeter plays along with the echo it sounds as if there are a multitude of trumpeters!
Lake Königssee information:
Travel time from Schönau am Königssee dock:
One-way to Salet Anlegestelle dock (Obersee stop): app. 55 min (2 hours round trip)
one-way to St. Bartholomä (the first stop on the journey) app. 35 minute ride (just over an hour round trip)
Prices: (2023)
Königssee > St. Bartholomä return ticket 22,00 € (one way 11,00 € )
Königssee > Kessel* (boat stop there in request only) one way 8,00 €
Königssee > Salet return ticket 27,50 € (one way 13,80 €)
Discounts for: children, families, groups
see the official site to confirm prices
tickets
Purchase tickets online or at the ticket office. With the online ticket you can go directly to the pier, no waiting in ticket lines.
Timetables
Tour possible year-round. check timetables here.
Königssee Tips and important information
- IMPORTANT CAUTIONARY INFORMATION: IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE HERE READ THIS: be sure to make note of the time of the departure of the last boat. If you miss the last return boat, you will be picked up by the Wasserwacht Berchtesgaden (water rescue). It can cost up to 520 € for this special service! Phone number: +49 8651 9999 100
- Start early: Catch the first boat of the day in order to avoid long lines. The early bird catches the worm and that means a less crowded boat and a better chance of getting a good seat. Upon arrival at your destination, you’ll have less crowds to deal with and less people to compete with for your stunning photos.
- The best seat: for the best view, sit on the right going out, and on the left heading back.
- Stop in St. Bartholomä: If you have a round trip ticket to Salet, your trip can be interrupted in St. Bartholomä once, either on the journey there or the journey back. It is recommended that you go straight to Salat.
- Pets: Must wear a muzzle, additional fee may apply. See the website for further information (weitere informationen!)
- Disability Accessibility: information for disabled passengers can be found
- Arrive early in the day during peak times: If passenger volume is high, they may stop selling tickets for the round-trips at the Königssee lakeside in the afternoon. In order to avoid waiting times for sailings (if you haven’t already purchased tickets online) depart before 10.30 am and return before the rush hour (starts around 2.30 pm)
- Bathrooms / restrooms: There are no toilets onboard the boats. Bathrooms can be found at each of the stops, including at the Fischunkelalm (snacks stand between Obersee and the Röthbach waterfall.)
activities: Königssee Lake
In addition to the requisite electric passenger boat ride there are plenty of other activities to do at Konigssee Lake
Swimming
Paddle Boats
Hiking
Pinicing
Obersee Lake
Obersee Lake is a quieter and more secluded lake located just a short distance from the southern end of Königssee Lake. (The two lakes are separated by the Salet Moraine Wall (or glacial tilt)
This stunning little alpine lake was on my travel bucket list, and it did not disappoint!
Obersee Bayern has crystal-clear emerald green water and is surrounded by towering mountains including the Hoher Göll and Watzmann peaks. You’ll feel as if you’ve been encapsulated in a dreamy painting!
How to get to Obersee Lake
The easiest way to reach Obersee Lake is by taking the Konigssee ferry to the Salet ferry station stop. From the boat dock in Salet, it’s a 15 minute walk on a 1 km relatively flat path to the iconic boathouse at Obersee.
The first thing you come to is the first boathouse.
activities: Obersee Lake
Hike to the south end of the lake: A short hike from the north to the south end of Obersee rewards visitors with breathtaking views!! The hiking trail is somewhat difficult but more than worth the effort. As you can see in the photos, you don’t want to miss it!
Important note: Wear proper shoes. I didn’t realize that the trail would be so difficult, rocky and uneven, and did not have the proper footwear. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes to prevent any injuries.
As you approach the south end of the lake, you’ll notice a second boathouse (maybe more picturesque than the first!)
Continue on to reach Fischunkelalm, a mountain hut that offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Picnic: this is one of the most beautiful spots for a picnic on planet earth! Bring something with you or grab something at Fischunkelalm!
Swimming: Yes, you can swim here but take my word for it, the water is COLD, according to the toe I dipped in the water. However, these young people seemed to be enjoying it!
Röthbach Waterfall
Consider the beautiful hike to Röthbach waterfall. At 470 m (1,540 ft) high it’s Germany’s highest waterfall (Höchste Wasserfall Deutschlands.) An approximately 2.3 km scenic out and back trail takes hikers from Obersee to the waterfall. Along the way you’ll pass meadows surrounded by mountains and dotted with grazing alpine cows. AMAZING!
Getting to Lake Obersee Königssee Lake
Location
Königssee and Obersee lakes are located in the Berchtesgaden National Park (Berchtesgadener Land.) The location in the Bavarian Alps, near the Austrian border, is an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Getting there by car
The easiest way to get to Konigsee Lake is by car. The most flexible way to explore the area is by car allowing you to tour the area at your own leisure.
Parking
If you have your own car, there are several parking areas near the lake, and visitors can park their cars and explore the area on foot. Since there is so much to do right here in this area it is recommended that you purchase a full-day parking pass at the lot.
Address: Königssee parking lot (Königssee parkplatz): Seestrasse 3 Schoenau a. Koenigssee
Parking Prices (2023)
with the Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden guest card €6.00, without the guest card €8.00 cash/coin: machine does not give change (change machines on site) 4 machines for bank/credit card payments available/ Accepts the Parkster App.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is also available, and visitors can take a bus from the nearby town of Berchtesgaden to the lake.
Train / bus combination
Take the train to Berchtesgaden Train Station and then from there you will need to take a bus to Obersee Königssee. Approximately 15 minutes. From the bus station it’s a 6-minute walk to the dock at the lake. To seamlessly plan your train and bus route use the Rome2Rio website or app.
day tours: Munich to Königssee Obersee
If you would rather join a tour, full day tours to Königssee from Munich are available on Get Your Guide. Along the scenic German Alpine Road. Boat tour and Obersee Bayern are included on the tour. 9-hour tour, pick up at your hotel in Munich.
Book a tour here! (free cancellation!)
where to eat
It’s important to note that many restaurants in the area close early, so visitors should plan accordingly and check the hours of operation before heading out to eat. Additionally, some restaurants may require reservations, especially during peak tourist season.
Königssee
There are several places to eat at the entrance to Konigssee. When in Doubt, check Tripadvisor for customer reviews and lots of photos!
St. Bartholomä
Fischerei St. Bartholomä is where you’ll find the smoked fish everyone is talking about. The lovely rustic building was once use by Bavarian Royalty (a hunting lodge of Bavarian Kings!)
Obersee
There are three places to eat at Obersee.
Fischunkelalm: I highly recommend the small restaurant located at the far southern end of Obersee, with world class views! They offer a limited menu of food and drinks, like fresh milk, beer and colas. We opted to stop here for refreshments. The food of the day when we visited was speckbrot. I found a new obsession, delicious! (Read more about speckbrot and the best German food you need to try!)
Gaststätte Saletalm: you’ll find it between Konigssee and Obersee. Cafeteria style, hot meals and smoked fish. I stopped in for cake!
Mooskaser Saletalm: walk south around Konigssee to reach this one.
accommodations
From cozy guesthouses to luxurious hotels, there is something for everyone. If you don’t have a car there are plenty of options right at the lake. My favorite place to search accommodations: Booking.com. If you have a car you’ll have more options. Here are a few standouts:
Note: This area is a popular tourist destination, both among Germans and International Tourists. It is recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
Hotel Pension Greti
This is where we stayed at this cute little chalet because it seemed central to different attractions. The lady running the hotel was just lovely, the breakfast was wonderful. guest rating: 8.6, prices starting at: $92 (it’s a bargain!) distance from the lake: 2 km
book it here on booking.com!
Villa Rein Boutiquehotel
This Art Nouveau villa, dating from 1898, is a great option for visitors to the area who have transportation. Located 26 km from the lake this beautiful boutique hotel located in the historic section of Bad Reichenhall is central to sites in the National Park, Salzburg, and Berchtesgaden. guest rating: 9.5, prices start at: $208.00 per night.
book it here on booking.com!
ALPEN EXPERIENCE Jugendgästehaus CVJM Aktivzentrum
Is nested on the shores of Hintersee and offers rooms with balconies overlooking the lake. 15 km from the lake, 8.1 guest rating. Prices start at $144 per night.
book it here on booking.com!
Berghotel Rehlegg
Located just 650 meters from Ramsau Kirche (9 km from the lake) with beautiful alpine decor, spa services with panoramic views, choose a balcony or terrace with mountain views, 9.0 guest rating, prices starting at $355 per night.
book it here on booking.com!
Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden Superior
Staying in Berchtesgaden? Why not book a stay at this luxury hotel overlooking the Bavarian Alps. Spa area, rooftop terrace, 3 gourmet restaurants, indoor swimming pool, a children’s play area and free childcare. guest rating: 9.2, prices starting at: $336 per night. Distance from Konigssee: 6 km
book it here on booking.com!
tips for both Lake Obersee Königssee Lake
- Bring cash: Some of the facilities around the lakes only accept cash. It’s a good idea to bring some Euros with you to avoid any inconvenience.
- Check the weather: The weather around the lakes can change quickly, so it’s important to check the forecast before heading out. Bring appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions.
- Tips for avoiding crowds: Summer months bring hordes of crowds to the area. The general rule of thumb for avoiding the worst crowds at popular tourist attractions are:
- Visit early morning or late in the day (i.e., the first or last tour of the day)
- Weekdays are often less crowded than weekends.
- Travel in the shoulder or off season: Summer months are peak season / high season, spring and fall are considered shoulder seasons, and winter months are off season in Germany (outside of the Christmas market season.)
FAQ
Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Is Lake Obersee Königssee Lake worth it?
Overall score 20/10…is that a thing? Seriously, this is a MUST addition to your Germany itinerary. There’s a good reason why year after year one of the top destinations in Germany. This is a veritable nature lover’s dream. Glide over still waters past mountains scenery as you make your way to a tiny emerald green crystal clear lake. It really is the stuff that dreams are made of!
Other things to do in the area
Wimbachklamm Gorge and Waterfall
Don’t miss this stunner! Transverse elevated wooden walkways and bridges that run through this ridiculously scenic gorge with multiple waterfalls. Easy 1.4-mile loop.
Distance from the lake: 10–12 k
The Parish Church of St. Sebastian
I was thrilled when I realized that another of my bucket list destinations was just down the road! St Sebastian is an adorable little world-famous church that is idyllically situated in the foothills of the alps. It looks like something straight out of a fairytale! Get all of the important details on how to visit St. Sebastian!
Distance from the lake: 12 km
get more information: How to see the Parish Church of St. Sebastian
Hintersee
There’s a lovely lake just a few kilometers down the road from the church. Hintersee Lake has a 3.5-kilometer trail that circles the lake and takes you through a magical forest. If walking isn’t your thing, you can rent rowboats and swan pedal boats instead or just take in the views. Boat tours are also available at Hintersee in season.
Distance: 15 km
Berchtesgaden National Park (Nationalpark)
Most of Konigssee (and all of Obersee) are located in a national park that boasts 174 named mountains, including the Watzmann, the tallest peak in the park. Berchtesgaden National Park is a veritable hiking paradise with mountain huts scattered throughout the park.
Bindalm trail is popular with visitors. Check this site for further information on the ALM ErlebnisBUS that runs a route through the park.
Distance from the lake: 16 km
Hohenwerfen Castle (Austria)
The 11th century Hohenwerfen Castle is situated picturesquely on top of a rock overlooking the valley below. This 900-year-old castle surrounded by mountains is an absolute delight. The red paint color used on some of the architectural elements really pops against the deep blue canvas of the sky. Daily falconry shows and at last check a creepy Witch exhibition. will still be on offer!!
Distance from the lake: 55 km
free 2 week Austria Germany Slovenia Itinerary
We visited Obersee and Königssee as a part of a 2 week trip to Austria, Southern Germany and Slovenia. Get the itinerary and don’t forget my Ultimate Guide to traveling Germany on a budget!
Headed to Germany for the first time? Check out my Ultimate Guide! on a budget? I’ve got a Germany on a Budget Guide too!
Originally published at https://www.werenotinkansasanymore.com on June 7, 2023.