Alpsee: Winter at the largest natural lake in the Allgäu
Hiking, skiing & more in the Alpsee mountains
The small and large Alpsee lakes are idyllically situated between meadows, forests and mountains. They offer a wonderful panorama for a winter holiday in the Allgäu. If you enjoy an active holiday in autumn and winter, you’ve come to the right place. Winter hiking at the Alpsee is possible on various tours that lead around the lakes and through the forests up to the snow-covered mountain peaks – or with snowshoes if there is plenty of snow. Especially in winter, the view of the snow-covered winter landscape from Mittag Mountain is unforgettable. The various vantage points in the Alpsee mountains are among the most beautiful Allgäu sights in winter. The frozen lakes are ideal for ice hockey or ice skating. There are also popular cross-country ski trails along the large Alpsee. Action is the order of the day in the Alpsee mountains. You can explore the Allgäu trails by mountain bike in autumn. In winter, tobogganing and skiing are very popular. You can also try out the magic carpet and curling on the winter fun area. Then enjoy a cosy break in a mountain hut with Kaiserschmarrn pancakes and cheese pancakes. The Alpsee Coaster is a particular highlight of the winter excursion destinations at the Alpsee. The natural toboggan run is not only open in summer, but also in snow and cold weather.
Atmospheric events are also organised at the Alpsee: at the end of October, the Festival of Lights is celebrated with numerous candles, lights and torches. A little later, in mid-November, the traditional St Martin’s ride with horse blessing is on the programme.
Holiday fun on Lake Ammersee in winter
Active recreation by the lake in Bavaria
Which lake is the most beautiful in Bavaria? This question is not easy to answer – especially in winter. Lakes in Bavaria, such as the Ammersee near Munich, are among the most popular excursion destinations in Germany, even in the cold season. A winter hike on the Ammersee lake is definitely a must. You can explore the 48.5 km circular hiking trail. Take a detour to the Europakapelle chapel or the Windachtal valley. Alternatively, you can hike along the St Rasso pilgrimage route. One of the most famous sights in Ammersse is Andechs Monastery, which is also located on a hiking trail. In autumn, you can also take a bike tour around the lake. At a leisurely pace, you should plan a whole day for the lake circuit with breaks. In addition to an Ammersee winter hike, winter sports are also very popular in the region. You can ski and snowboard in the snow-sure mountains and cross-country skiing fans will get their money’s worth on the Tutzing cross-country ski trail. There are also several wild trails right on the shores of Lake Ammersee – including fantastic views of the glistening frozen lake. Or how about Nordic walking with snowshoes? An insider tip on Lake Ammersee for winter is the year-round campsite in Peißenberg. Around 30 km from the Ammersee, you can enjoy autumn or winter in your motorhome in the Ammersee region.
Winter lakes: Off to Staffelsee
The best tips around the Staffelsee
One of the lakes in Bavaria that is pretty sure to be frozen over is definitely the Staffelsee. In very cold winters, you can play curling on the thick ice cover. You can skate to the small islands or play ice hockey between the lido and the boat landing stage.
But beware: if the Staffelsee is frozen over, the tourist office will inform you daily whether it is safe to enter. Winter hiking in Bavaria is also very popular on the Staffelsee. There are numerous hiking trails around the lake and around Seehausen through the Murnauer Moos. You can also find out which of them are cleared at the tourist office. A tour on uncleared paths in particular makes a Staffelsee winter hike a special experience for experienced hikers. The view of the mountains between the Ammergau Alps and the Benediktenwand is absolutely worth seeing. You can enjoy it particularly well from the circular trail around the Staffelsee. The winter landscape can also be wonderfully explored on the snow-sure cross-country ski trails in Bad Bayersoien or Ettal. A cross-country ski trail also leads past the picturesque Linderhof Castle. The valley runs on the Hörnle are a little faster. Here you can take the Hörnle cable car up and whizz down the hills on skis, snowboard or sledge. If you prefer a more romantic experience, you can snuggle up in warm blankets and ride through the snowy landscape in a horse-drawn sleigh. There is also plenty of culture on the Staffelsee. On an art walk, you can follow in the footsteps of expressionist artists such as Kandinsky. You can also visit the former artists’ houses and an exhibition in the Murnau Castle Museum.
Lakes in Bavaria: Enchanting winter landscape at Lake Weissensee
Paradise for winter hikers in the Allgäu
There are many lakes in Bavaria. One of the most beautiful in the icy winter months is certainly the Weißensee lake near Füssen in the Allgäu. The romantic snowy landscape around the lake impresses with its unique mountain panorama. And the numerous signposted winter hiking trails are just the thing for keen winter hikers – with or without snowshoes. From Füssen and the districts of Hopfen on the lake, Weißensee or Bad Faulenbach, you can embark on various tours. Winter forests and snow-covered meadows glistening in the winter sun create a great atmosphere.
Extra tip: Hiking fans can find more information on an interactive map. This information is also available on information boards. The information boards are located at the respective starting points of the tours. If you fancy a leisurely excursion, you can enjoy the fairytale winter landscape on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Lake Weissensee in winter is also a sporty place. If the ice is thick enough, you can let off steam with ice skating or curling. There are also some good cross-country skiing trails near the lake. So you’re guaranteed not to get bored here in winter either. And after so much exercise in the winter air, you can book one of the numerous winter wellness offers nearby.
Winter atmosphere at Lake Constance
Beautiful lakes in winter: Welcome to Lindau
To Lake Constance in winter? Yes, absolutely! Lakes in Bavaria and Lake Constance in particular are not only worth visiting in summer. Lake Constance also has a lot to offer in the cold season. On a trip to Lindau, you can enjoy the wintry town with a panoramic view of the lake. You can also enjoy winter sports activities nearby. You can reach the Allgäu or other nearby ski areas such as the Montafon or Klostertal in around an hour. In winter, you can also go snowshoeing or tobogganing to your heart’s content in the immediate vicinity of Lindau. Ice skaters and ice hockey players can take to the ice in Lindau’s ice sports arena right on the lakeshore. There is plenty on offer here for young and old – from games afternoons and taster sessions to ice discos. Just the thing for a trip to Lake Constance in winter with children. In harsh winters, you can ice skate on the frozen Kleiner See lake. The lake is located between the railway embankment and the Lindau pier. Lake Constance itself is rarely completely frozen over. A trip to Pfänder is a good tip for anyone who enjoys tobogganing. The Pfänderbahn railway takes you up the mountain, where you can also go sledging with children. There are also great routes for snowshoeing on the Pfänder. Here you can trudge over 30 kilometres through the glistening snow. There are several huts and inns nearby where you can stop for a bite to eat.
A real plus for camping fans: the Gitzenweiler Hof campsite also offers winter camping on Lake Constance. As one of the most popular sights in Germany, Lindau harbour is a magnet for visitors, especially during the Advent season. During the Lindau Harbour Christmas, the lakeside promenade is transformed into a romantic sea of lights. On the island, you will also find numerous market stalls in the small alleyways, inviting you to take a stroll. Various artists provide an atmospheric programme on a stage right by the harbour. Things get particularly turbulent during the Allemanische Carnival in Lindau, when the jesters and witches are on the loose and parade through the small alleyways.
Lakes in Bavaria, and Lake Constance in particular, are not only worth a visit in summer. Lake Constance also has a lot to offer in the cold season.
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