Hopfensee, Alpine lake in Ostallgäu, Germany
Hopfensee is a lake in the Ostallgäu that covers 194 hectares with a maximum depth of about 10 meters. The water body sits at around 784 meters in elevation and stretches roughly 2 kilometers in length.
The lake formed after the last ice age when the Lechtal glacier retreated and left behind a depression. Originally it was part of a larger water body before becoming the separate lake we see today.
The village of Hopfen am See on the northeastern shore is a health resort where visitors can experience traditional water-based wellness treatments. The settlement shapes daily life along the lake and attracts people interested in natural healing methods.
The lake is good for swimming, with the season usually starting in late May when water temperatures reach about 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. It ranks among the warmer lakes in the Bavarian foothills and works well as a swimming stop during a hike.
A protected bird sanctuary at the southeast end is marked by buoys and provides nesting places for rare water birds. Surrounded by extensive water lily fields, this area offers a glimpse into the diversity of water bird life.
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