von Tessa Mellinger
June 21, 2023
Summer
Water guide: The most beautiful places by the water
In these places you can keep a cool head even on hot days:
The best tips for a day at the lake, the most beautiful hikes along picturesque mountain streams, a cozy picnic on the shore, a sporting challenge and the most charming huts on the lake. There's guaranteed to be something for everyone here!
A day at the lake
Blue skies, hot temperatures, sunshine galore – in short: perfect swimming weather! On these days, bathing mermaids and water rats are in good hands at the Wildsee in Seefeld and at the Möserer See in Mösern. While families can spend hours splashing around in the lake and the children's pool at the Strandperle at Wildsee, rent pedal boats, try out SUP or recharge their batteries in the restaurant, things are a little quieter, more leisurely and shadier at the Sonja forest swimming pool opposite. The same applies to Lake Möserer See: it is located at 1,295m in the middle of the forest and is a real natural paradise. Around the lake you can always find a nice place in the light thicket, brave swim to the small island in the middle of the lake and children & teenagers swing on the swing with a hop into the cool water.
Directly over the border are the three Bavarian lakes Lautersee, Ferchensee and Geroldsee. By bike you can roll through the Leutasch valley to the lakes and spend an extra long break on the shore and cool off.
Leutasch Valley with Lautersee
Action & adventure on the water with children
Little explorers and big adventurers want to experience new things, explore hidden worlds and go far off the beaten track. Around the region there are countless places for those seeking the right dose of adventure.
The Leutascher Spirit Gorge (Geisterklamm) is the perfect place for this: rumor has it that goblins and ghosts hide deep in its gurgling waters. On bold steel walkways and bridges you hike along and high above the rushing gorge and experience quite unique views.
The adventure playground on the Leutascher Ache also delivers exactly what it promises: it is the perfect destination on a short hike or bike ride and the kids can let off steam here for hours.
By the way, the forest playground at the lake Möserer See is just as beautiful – if you work up a sweat playing, you can jump right into the cool water next door.
TIP: HERE are even more insider tips from the locals for families with children.
Cozy picnic by the water
A few cool drinks, a picnic basket full of delicacies, fruit and ice cream and a perfect spot by the water: that's summer! With friends, with the family or as a couple: at the Leutascher Ache and the Isar in the Karwendel you can make yourself comfortable on the shore, cooling down and sunbathing included.
The Leutascher Ache runs from Gaistal through the entire Leutasch valley to Mittenwald. Almost everywhere you have access to the water. It is especially beautiful at the adventure playground and at the Flämenwandl climbing garden.
The Isar rises deep in the Hinterautal in the Karwendel mountains and flows from there with its turquoise, fresh water to Scharnitz. All along the valley you always have access to the bank.
TIP: Even if you only walk a short distance from the Scharnitz Information Center in the direction of the Karwendel valleys, you can already find the most wonderful picnic spots along the wide banks.
Basically, the following applies everywhere: please treat nature with respect, be sure to take your trash back with you and don't disturb any breeding birds on the banks, so that we can all still enjoy these places in the future.
Waterfront tours
Some days we just don't want to decide whether we'd rather be by the water or in the mountains. Fortunately, we don't have to: these hikes and bike rides always take you along cool mountain streams and rushing rivers, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Hikes along the water
Bike tours along the water
Bike & Hike along the water
Mountain huts & alpine pastures built close to the water
What is even more beautiful than a house on the lake? That's right: a mountain hut by the lake.
If you want to experience a real wonder of nature, visit the Lottensee. The a-periodic lake appears (in the truest sense of the word) only every few years, and to this day researchers puzzle over why. Directly adjacent you have the most beautiful view of the lake from the Lottenseehütte. ATTENTION - it is best to check in advance whether the lake is currently available.
The Möserer Seestub'n is also located on the shore of a picturesque lake. The lake Möserer See is located at 1.295m in the middle of a nature reserve. After and between splashing around, you can enjoy the best Tyrolean cuisine and drinks and homemade ice cream on the sun terrace of the Möserer Seestub'n.
Between two of the most beautiful and clearest mountain lakes, the Drachensee and Seebensee, lies the Coburger Hütte. By bike and hike the hut and the lakes can be reached via the Gaistal on wonderful trails.
Not on the lake, but on the turquoise blue and crystal clear waters of the Isar is the Scharnitzer Alm. It invites you to a cozy stop with the best homemade hut food while listening to the gentle lapping of the river and the house fountain.
Cool paths & refreshments with the dog
You are on the road in company on four paws? Our beloved four-legged friends also deserve to cool off on hot days. At the Strandperle at the lake Wildsee in Seefeld there is a separate sunbathing area for masters, mistresses and dogs.
Familie beim Spielen im See - Seefeld
Every few years the a-periodic lake Wildmoossee shines in its full beauty and invites you to jump into the cool water. But even at times when it is not quite there, it and the adjacent Wildmoosalm are definitely worth a visit.
You will also find quiet places for a break by the water on the banks of the Isar near Scharnitz. Refreshing mountain rivers also flow through the Karwendel and Gleirsch valleys and picturesque hikes where your companions will always come to the water for a drink break.
Water sports
For those who are bored with a day of swimming on the water and are looking for action and exercise on vacation, there is a huge selection of sporting opportunities in and on the water throughout the region.
The most beautiful way to spend a day on and not only at the lake is stand up paddling. On the board you glide along weightlessly and see the water worlds from another side. Just as fun – not only for families and friends – is pedal boating. You can rent both at the Strandperle at the Wildsee. If that wasn't enough – there's also a beach volleyball court and for kids a large playground & bouncy castle.
An even more adventurous way to experience the rushing waters is rafting or kayaking – for example on the crystal clear waters of the Isar river in the midst of the imposing Karwendel mountains.
A little more leisurely, but still with adrenaline and feelings of happiness, is fishing. At the lake Weidachsee, even beginners without a fishing license can borrow the equipment. The feeling of having landed the first fish all by yourself will be a proud memory for a long time! Also for families with children a real vacation adventure.
Spectacular sunrises & sunsets by the water
When hundreds of peaks are reflected in the smooth water of a mountain lake, it is a very special sight. It only gets more beautiful when you enjoy it at sunrise or sunset.
The lake Kaltwassersee on the Rosshütte and the lake Speichersee on the Gschwandtkopf are two lakes that conjure up unique photo motifs: they reflect the imposing peaks of the iconic Hohe Munde, the Zugspitze and many more. Especially in the evening light, photographers and hunters of special moments are in the right place here.
From a reliable source:
Fresh fountains in every place
In the past, they were the meeting place of all villagers, today especially of cyclists: the fresh wells. In almost every village, they are located in the village center near the church and provide fresh, really good water in drinking water quality around the clock – we Tyroleans can be a little proud of that.
From then until today an important place in the village, the wells are also usually beautifully designed. No matter in which village – stop by and refresh yourself on hot days at the cool spring!
Real insider tips:
Locals' favorite places
Last but not least, we have a few real secret places in the region for you: we asked our locals where they prefer to spend time out by the water. In the process, we got ideas for unknown places that are otherwise not so well known:
Small waterfall Reith:
"My favorite tip for a small family hike leads to the Frau Häusl in Reith. The start begins just after the Hotel Reitherhof, there you walk a few minutes up to the last house. Then you walk along a narrow root path over the Rosenkranzweg to the chapel Frau Häusl. This is my very personal place of strength up there. Directly behind the chapel is a small waterfall. In the "catch basin" the kids, but of course also the adults can cool off."
Ramona H.
Bee trail, creek bed with ichthyol stones:
"And here's another insider tip from Reith: the stream bed at Schaferhüttl is wonderful for children. Directly on the bee trail you will find the Schaferhüttl halfway up the path. Directly in front of it is a huge creek bed where the kids can let off steam. My kids also often like to build their own "cooling pool" where you can sit in – the perfect way to cool off on hot summer days with ice-cold spring water. Just a little further on, there's another creek bed where you can find ichthyol stones every now and then. My kids like to look for them and call them "stink stones".
Ramona H.
Gaistal, Leutascher Ache:
"My recommendations in Leutasch: at the Kneipp facility Salzbach in Gaistal there are very comfortable wooden loungers. Before and after the hike, you can cool off and relax here. Further back in the Gaistal, on the straight stretch just before the Gaistalalm, the streambed of the Leutascher Ache becomes very wide – perfect for a break on the bank...!"
Tanja F.
Leutascher Ache:
"With our children we spent a lot of time at the water in Unterleutasch: From the parking lot Hoher Sattel in Ahrn you walk in the direction of Achweg to Unterleutasch. After about 200m you go left down to the Leutascher Ache, before the nice little bridge comes. Here is a wonderful place on the river for everyone. We spent whole afternoons here with the kids. We always had a picnic, the kids splashed in the Ache or built structures with the many stones all around. I can highly recommend this place!"
Angelika W.
NOT ENOUGH YET?
HERE you can find even more cooling in the Region Seefeld
Always on the lookout for the best stories, the most beautiful photo motifs and the most delicious Kaiserschmarrn, Tessa loves to be out and about in the mountains. With touring skis or on the cross-country ski trail, with the mountain bike or racing bike, climbing vertically or simply on foot, you can meet her in the mountains, in the valley or on the alpine pasture.
Bike & Hike along the water
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