Walchensee
It’s no secret among locals that Bavaria is home to dozens of fantastic daytrips. Particularly popular to local daytrip enthusiasts, but lesser known to tourists, are the dozens of Alpine lakes. Each “See” normally offers some iteration of the typically expected Bavarian views, trails, and cafes. Although I find every lake to be an iteration of these Bavarian activities, they also offer their own unique aesthetic, and I would have to say, Walchensee is no exception. The lake and surrounding area offers a hike to the Herzogstand peak, stunning sapphire water, a unique double lake view, lakeside cafe&kuchen, and swimming that is sure to excite the those wishing to spend a summer day outdoors in the mountains.
Beginning this daytrip from the Munich Hauptbahnhof with a Bayern ticket in hand, take an RB train in the direction of Kochel, riding the train all the way to the Kochel Bahnhof. From this train station, transfer immediately onto an awaiting bus in the direction of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, ultimatly exiting at the Walchensee-Herzogstand bus stop. Please take special care to not zon out as I did while the beautiful lakeside mountain scenery passes you by. This understandable mistake could prove costly, as the bus does not spend much time at each stop, especially if there is little passenger activity.
Incidentally, the Walchensee-Herzogstand bus stop is about equidistant between the Kochel train station, and the somewhat famous town of Mittenwald. For travelers planning a longer trip through Bavaria, Walchensee might serve as a nice stop off after Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald rather than a simple daytrip from Munich as I’m detailing. Tourists could take advantage of the similarly accessible buses leaving from both the Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald train stations. Regardless, day trip or longer vacation, the Caribbean blue waters of Walchensee will be waiting for you.
After disembarking at the Walchensee-Herzogstand bus stop conveniently located in front of the Herzogbahn gondola parking lot, snag your spot in what will probably be a long line. I’ve visited the Herzogstand on several occasions, and have always encountered a line wrapping four times around itself. Although the line initially appeared frustratingly long, each wait was a surprisingly manageable 30 minutes. To save extra time while waiting, send a member of your party to the cash register for the 15 Euro per adult tickets. If you are looking to save money, consider simply hiking up the mountain from the marked trail head next to the Herzogbahn gondola. However, while this option is cheaper, it is absolutely not more time efficient as the hike involves a three hour climb through mostly uninteresting forested trails. Conversely, the gondola ride is quite fast, zooming from the parking lot to the Herzog station with a blindingly beautiful lake backdrop.
Disembarking from the gondola, Instagram lovers will be presented with aesthetic backdrop number one of two, located immediately after the upper gondola station. Committed photographers can capture their subject with Walchensee framed and sized perfectly in the background. After your photography session, follow the path and the signs towards the Herzogstand peak and its famous double lake view. The well marked path hooks right, into a valley flanked on the left by a small beer garden, and on the right by the three hour long trail leading back to the Herzogbahn parking lot. In my opinion, continue past this beer garden, opting for a small packed lunch at the summit and plenty of treats later on the Walchensee lakefront. With the seemingly imposing switchbacks directly ahead, expect a mere 30-40 minute uphill walk (considered easy and barely a hike to Bavarians). Remember to bring plenty of water and to wear plenty of sunscreen, as especially in hotter weather, the entirely exposed path can become very hot in the Alpine summer sun.
Once at the peak, (denoted by the classic Bavarian cross) reward your exercise at this second instagram spot with the breath taking double view of the grey-blue Kochelsee and sapphire Walchensee separated by a wild Alpine ridge line. For landscape shots, photographers should bring a wide lens, as this specific view is only visible from a very particular precipice at the far end of the peak. Even from this vantage point, the lakes are further apart than what most cameras can capture. On busy days, you may even have to wait in line for this shot. Continue a little ways further up to the shady gazebo to enjoy a packed lunch and southern view of Walchensee and the Alps extending deeper into Bavaria, and eventually Austria. Behind the gazebo is a another trail leading along another ridge for two and a quarter hours towards the Heimgarten beer garden. This trail offers a very challenging, but rewarding hike. If you are interested, come prepared with more water, sturdy hiking boots, and a very early start as the final gondola leaves the mountain at 5:15, and the last bus at 6:07.
After snapping even more pictures, taking in the views, and enjoying a packed lunch, get ready to enjoy the lakeside by retracing your steps back towards the gondola and down the mountain. Walking through the Herzogstandbahn parking lot, hook right on the main road to begin your lake side exploration. This area offers a garden cafe, a grassy field for sunbathing and swimming, and (strangely enough) a viking village. The extra adventurous among you can continue for about 20 minutes down the main road to the town of Walchensee itself. However, it only offers a few cafes, which I find not exactly worth the long walk, especially in the summer heat. Rather, check out the lakeside cafe, Bucherer, on the left side of the road about 3 minutes from the Herzogbahn parking lot. Not much tastes better than a post hike beer in a beautiful lakeside garden, Don’t forget the cafe’s small bites menu, as the food extends far beyond the mediocre microwaved foods typically offered near gondolas and other such attractions. Many (mostly children) take quick dive in the the frigid Caribbean waters in the grassy lawn next door.
To end the day, continue along the main road, stopping by the recreated Viking Village “Flake Dorf”. Don’t let me oversell this site though, as this is no tent pole activity, rather, the random and meme-able leftovers of a movie set for the 2008 German kids movie “Vickie and the Strong Men”. However underwhelming the six huts may appear, they are cute against the backdrop of the stunning lake. While meandering between the cafe and Viking village, please keep the bus schedule in mind, as the last bus towards the Kochel Bahnhof leaves annoyingly early at 6:07, with the last train for Munich synced with this bus, and leaving shortly thereafter.
After reversing your journey, and arriving back in Munich, allow yourself to reflect on the day’s activities, and if you thoroughly enjoyed Walchensee as I did, then consider subscribing to NearFromHome and checking out our numerous Bavarian lake daytrips!
