Seebensee, Alpine lake at 1657 meters in Ehrwald, Austria
Seebensee is an alpine lake near Ehrwald surrounded by steep mountain slopes and three prominent peaks that frame it from different angles. The water sits in a valley surrounded by meadows and forest that enclose it on all sides.
The lake was significantly larger in earlier centuries, as shown by geological traces before parts transformed into meadows through natural sedimentation processes. This gradual change shaped the region's landscape and created the Alpine scenery we see today.
The name comes from old Alpine herding traditions tied to the region's pastoral history. Today visitors can experience this connection by walking past grazing meadows and mountain huts scattered around the water.
You reach the lake by hiking a marked trail starting from Ehrwald, beginning with a cable car that climbs the initial elevation. The route takes several hours, so plan to start early and prepare for changing weather conditions typical of mountains.
The lake has no visible surface water inflow, making it hydrologically unusual for its setting. Instead the water is fed by hidden underground sources and drains through waterfalls that connect to the river system below.
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