Lake Königssee
from Malerwinkel to Obersee

From the Seelände landing area, pass the wooden boathouses on the left and climb into the mountain woods. As you gain height, the view extends along the lake towards St. Bartholomä. Benches at Malerwinkel invite a pause before the circuit continues through the woods and past the Jennerbahn lower station to the car park.

The complete loop from the car park is around five kilometres with 160 metres of ascent, taking about an hour and a half without stops. In dry, snow-free conditions, you can add the Rabenwand viewpoint from the highest part of the loop. This is a rockier woodland trail requiring sturdy shoes and extra time.

Once the boat rounds the first corner, the lake opens to the south. Steep slopes fall into the water as you pass slowly along them. At the echo wall, the boat usually pauses while a few notes played on a flugelhorn come back from the cliffs. Farther on, the red domes of St. Bartholomä appear beneath the Watzmann’s east face.

The crossing takes around thirty-five minutes each way. Look inside the small church, walk beside the water and take time for the mountain view. There’s an inn and beer garden in the former hunting lodge; you can also look for smoked char on the peninsula.

Boats generally run year-round when conditions allow, except on 24 December. The winter route ends at St. Bartholomä; you cannot continue by boat towards Obersee then.

When boats serve Salet, continue to the southern end of Königssee. From the landing, it’s about fifteen minutes on foot to Obersee. A wooden boathouse stands at the shore beneath the surrounding cliffs, mirrored in the water when it is still.

For a longer walk, follow the right-hand shore to Fischunkelalm. The path becomes narrow and rocky, with handrails on some sections. The return walk from Salet to the hut is around 5.5 kilometres and an hour and forty-five minutes of walking, plus breaks and the boat journey. It is unsuitable for pushchairs.

The hut is staffed in the alpine summer. From there, you can continue towards Röthbach waterfall, allowing extra walking time in both directions. Check your watch before adding it. We’d save Jenner for a separate day rather than rushing the lake and the walk.

Buy at the Seelände ticket office or the operator’s online shop. On holiday dates, go early and allow for queues on the return as well.

Allow around fifteen minutes by car to the main Königssee car park at Seestraße 3, Schönau, plus the walk down Seestraße to the landing and any ticket queues. Current parking charges are €3 for up to one hour, €7 for up to three hours and €9 for 24 hours, with charging hours daily from 7 am to 7 pm.

Buses including services 840 and 841 serve Königssee. Check your connection and return journey. Regional bus travel covered by your guest card and the paid boat service are separate benefits.

There is no continuous walk around Königssee. SUPs, canoes, inflatable boats and air mattresses are not allowed on the lake. Rowing boats can be hired at Seelände in suitable weather.