Königssee, Natural lake in Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany
Königssee is a natural lake in Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany, stretching 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles) through the Berchtesgaden Alps and reaching depths of 190 meters (623 feet). Its shores are formed by vertical limestone cliffs that rise directly from the green water, giving it a fjord-like appearance.
The water formed during the last ice age, when glaciers moved between the mountain ranges and carved out deep valleys. Bavarian rulers used it as a hunting ground from the 16th century onward, which explains its royal name.
Local fishermen still work the water using wooden boats, catching char and whitefish that appear on menus in nearby inns. The name itself translates to King's Lake, a title first recorded in documents from medieval times.
Electric passenger boats run daily from April to October, departing from Seelände with stops at Sankt Bartholomä and Salet. The ride to the first stop takes about 35 minutes and offers clear views of the rock walls on both sides.
Boat captains demonstrate the acoustic properties of the water by playing trumpet notes that bounce multiple times between the steep rock walls. This natural echo occurs because of the particular geometry of the limestone walls, which stand parallel to each other.
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