Eibsee, Alpine lake in Grainau, Germany
Eibsee sits at the base of Zugspitze at 973 meters elevation and covers 177 hectares with green-tinted waters. Eight small islands dot the surface and give the site its irregular shape with many bays and inlets.
A massive rockslide between 1700 and 1400 BCE shaped the basin after the Würm ice age ended. The falling rock created several depressions that now form the irregular profile of the water body.
The name Eibsee derives from the German word for yew trees that previously grew abundantly along its shores, reflecting the local natural heritage.
Trains and buses from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen bring visitors nearby, with two paid parking areas on site. A walking path around the shore lets you see the islands and bays from different angles.
All water disappears underground since no surface outlet exists. It likely resurfaces two kilometers northeast in Kreppbach stream.
Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Location: Grainau
Elevation above the sea: 973.28 m
GPS coordinates: 47.45674,10.98995
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:04
Europe contains numerous lakes distinguished by their natural beauty and relative seclusion. From the turquoise waters of the Dolomites to the clear lakes of the Scottish Highlands, these locations span various geological formations. These lakes lie within alpine regions, volcanic areas, or historic cultural landscapes. In the Alps, lakes such as Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, Königssee in Bavaria, and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland can be found. Hintersee near Ramsau and Seealpsee in Appenzell Innerrhoden sit in mountain valleys. In Southern Europe, Lake Scanno in Abruzzo and Lake Sorapis in the Dolomites are located. Hallstätter See in Upper Austria lies between steep mountain slopes. Other lakes exist in volcanic or glacially formed landscapes. Kerið crater lake in southern Iceland demonstrates volcanic activity. In Scotland, Loch Awe extends through the valleys of Argyll, while the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye flow in rock basins. Lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland forms part of an extensive lake district. These bodies of water illustrate the geological and landscape diversity of Europe.
Bavaria combines medieval castles, baroque churches and natural areas. The region features palaces in forests, old monasteries near rivers and mountain lakes in the Alps. The cities maintain their medieval architecture while the landscape includes mountains, lakes and historical hiking trails.
The Alps offer a wide range of natural landscapes. You find mountain lakes with clear waters, like the Eibsee in Bavaria or the Sorapis Lake in the Dolomites, gorges carved by torrents like the Partnach Gorge or the Cirque of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, and stunning rocky peaks such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo or Mont Aiguille in Vercors. The mountain range also shows remarkable geological formations, like the Désert de Platé with its eroded limestone rocks creating endless striped surfaces, or the steep cliffs that surround the valleys and give each region its character. These sites can be reached by hiking trails, allowing visitors to see the variety of alpine scenery and how water, ice, and weather have shaped these mountains.
Eibsee Cable Car
156 m
Höllentalanger Hut
3.3 km
Höllentalferner
3.4 km
Waxenstein
2.8 km
St. Johannes der Täufer (Grainau)
3.1 km
Riffeltorkopf
2.5 km
Loisachtal zwischen Schmölz und Griesen
2.7 km
Josefikapelle
3.4 km
Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Bauernhaus
3.1 km
Bauernhaus
3.3 km
Doppelbauernhaus
3.3 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Doppelbauernhaus
3.3 km
Baderseeweg 14
3.3 km
Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Stadel
3 km
Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Bundwerk
3.3 km
Ehemaliges Kleinbauernhaus
3.3 km
Bauernhaus
3.2 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3 km
Fassade
3.4 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3.4 km
Scheune Oberer Dorfplatz 7 in Grainau
3.1 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3.1 km
Ehemaliges Bauernhaus
3.2 kmReviews
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