Kings Lake - Enchanted Vacation in Bavaria

Nestled amid impressive Alpine rock faces, one of the most spectacular travel destinations in Bavaria stretches out in the Berchtesgaden National Park - the emerald green, crystal clear Kings Lake.

Its location embedded in the mountains provides the lake with an incredibly beautiful, picturesque mountain panorama that attracts countless tourists from around the world each year - and it's something you should not miss.

What you should know about the mountain lake and what makes a vacation at Kings Lake so enticing, we reveal to you in the following article.

View all offers

The location of the lake immediately evokes memories of the breathtaking natural backdrop of fjords. However, Kings Lake is not located in the vast expanses of Norway, but in the midst of the Alps.

With an area of 5.2 square kilometers, it is one of the largest lakes in Germany. At its deepest point, the lake measures around 190 meters.

Another special feature of the lake is its incredibly high water quality, making it the cleanest lake in Germany.

Are you tempted to swim in crystal clear water, enjoy exciting natural scenery, and explore endless recreational opportunities? You are sure to find a suitable offer for a lake vacation with us.

Since the lake is quite cold even in summer, for those who enjoy cool waters, a boat trip on Kings Lake is recommended instead of swimming in the lake.

A round trip is a must for any vacation in the Berchtesgaden region, as it's only on the water that the entire, fascinating expanse of the mountain backdrop becomes apparent. Visitors can pass by the Watzmann mountain or the Hagen mountain range during a boat ride.

Depending on the time of year you wish to spend your vacation at Kings Lake, you can experience the lake with its various seasonal features.

In spring, you can admire waterfalls, or in autumn, experience the glowing colors of the surrounding mixed forests. The Kings Lake fleet operates year-round.

Tip: If you have enough muscle power, you can also explore part of the lake on your own. The lake and mountain panorama of the fjord-like lake can be wonderfully admired from a rowboat.

In addition to a boat trip on the lake, the region also offers hikers a perfect backdrop.

A popular hiking route at Kings Lake leads through the Berchtesgaden National Park to Malerwinkel. The viewpoint on the northern shore of Kings Lake is extremely popular with tourists and offers a unique view of the lake up to the pilgrimage church of St. Bartolomeo and the Schönfeld peak.

The starting and ending point of the hiking route is the Kings Lake parking lot, where you can begin one of the popular boat tours or strengthen yourself in various restaurants after the approximately 1.5-hour hike.

Families with children can also embark on great hiking tours at Kings Lake. The network of trails is very well developed, so most hiking paths can also be explored with a stroller or a backpack carrier.

Numerous mountain railways, farms, and wildlife make hiking an experience for the whole family. For a well-deserved hiking break, you can aim for one of the many cozy huts and guesthouses along the path.

A beautiful route for hiking with children at Kings Lake is, for example, the Kings Path at Jenner. The trail is about 4.5 kilometers long and takes about 1.5 hours.

On the Kings Path, you will leisurely hike along meadows and pastures. The starting point is the Hinterbrand parking lot, and the endpoint is the Königsbachalm. If your (little) feet cannot take you that far, you can also shorten the route and take the Jennerbahn from Hinterbrand parking lot to the middle station to begin your ascent to the Alm.

Tip: Hiking is active relaxation in its most beautiful form. You are sure to find suitable offers for an engaging active vacation in our assortment.

The Berchtesgaden region is a paradise for cyclists. The vacation region near Salzburg offers bike tours for everyone and features exciting routes for families, beginners, and professional cyclists alike.

What all tours in Berchtesgadener Land at Kings Lake have in common is the fantastic mountain scenery.

A popular cycling route is the Berchtesgaden Radstern-Süd. Over 15 kilometers, you will discover the region on two wheels while passing not only Kings Lake but also the artificial bob and toboggan run, Winkelberg, and the Old Station.

You will primarily explore the scenic village of Schönau along green, expansive meadows. The tour can be completed in two variants with different levels of difficulty - with moderate or somewhat more demanding climbs.

Tip: If you are planning a cycling holiday through southern Bavaria, you can also look forward to a very special cycling path. The 418-kilometer Lake Constance-Kings Lake Cycle Path, as its name suggests, connects the two famous lakes on an impressive route through the pre-Alps landscape.

From the West Allgäu, it goes, among other places, over the Oberallgäu, the Pfaffenwinkel, the Tölzer Land, through the Chiemgau to Kings Lake. Ambitious cyclists conquer almost 4,000 meters in altitude on the Lake Constance-Kings Lake Cycle Path!

A vacation at Kings Lake means variety - in terms of scenery and culture as well as in terms of accommodation options. Depending on the season, vacation planning, and preferences, the Schönau am Königssee region offers countless possibilities to spend the best time of the year. In a hotel, in a vacation apartment, or at a campsite.

The community of Schönau am Königssee offers a suitable hotel for every vacation. The 20 accommodations provide a versatile and ample range for young and old.

The 4-star Hotel Alpenhof Zechmeisterlehen, for example, invites its guests to an oasis of relaxation and renewal. In the midst of an oriental ambiance, you can take a break in nature.

At the large Wellvital Residence, guests can bring body, mind, and soul back into harmony and indulge themselves with massages, beauty treatments, or fitness training.

At the 4-star Hotel Garni Landhaus Sonnenstern at the foot of Watzmann, you can also enjoy your stay thoroughly. On the sun terrace, you can enjoy the view of the mountain panorama or revive your tired spirits in the wellness and fitness area. Excellent restaurants offering Italian or traditional Bavarian cuisine are just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, as are the lake, the Jennerbahn mountain railway, and the town center of Schönau am Königssee.

If you prefer a self-made vacation, you are just right at one of the many vacation apartments at Kings Lake.

This form of vacation is particularly popular with families. Just like in the hotels at Kings Lake, you can leave everyday life behind in a vacation apartment in a cozy atmosphere while enjoying the advantages of an apartment.

As with hotel selection, the same applies to vacation apartments: those who have choices have dilemmas! At Kings Lake, there is the right vacation apartment for every budget and every vacation plan.

For those who prefer something even more individual than a vacation apartment, settling at one of the campsites near Kings Lake is a great choice.

At the Grafenlehen campground, you camp directly at the edge of the national park. The best part: It's only a 5-minute walk to Kings Lake.

At the Mühlleiten campground, you can experience a camping vacation at the foot of Watzmann. Summer or winter, you can spend an unforgettable vacation amidst nature at an altitude of 600 meters. But whether you spend your vacation in a hotel, a vacation apartment, or a campsite, a trip to Berchtesgaden Land is definitely worth it.

A vacation at Kings Lake guarantees relaxation. The picturesque panorama and diverse activities ensure that boredom doesn't arise. Families with children, cyclists, hikers, and anyone seeking relaxation will feel right at home here.