The Konigsee is a natural lake in the extreme southeast Berchtesgadener Land district of the German state of Bavaria, near the Austrian border. Most of the lake is within the Berchtesgaden National Park.
The lake is noted for its clear water and is advertised as the cleanest lake in Germany. For this reason, only electric-powered passenger ships, rowing, and pedal boats have been permitted on the lake since 1909.
Situated within the Berchtesgaden Alps in the municipality of Schönau am Königsee, just south of Berchtesgaden and the Austrian city of Salzburg, the Königssee is Germany's third deepest lake. Located at a Jurassic rift, it was formed by glaciers during the last ice age.
St. Bartholomä, a famous pilgrimage church with an inn nearby, is located on a peninsula about halfway down the western lake shore. This beautiful church can be visited by taking on of the ferries across or hiking up to the area. Passengers can get off and explore the church and a few surrounding shops.
Lake Obersee is also connected to the lake through a stream. Ferries take you to the end of Konigsee where passengers can get off and walk a few hundred yards to Obersee. Its worth making this extra trip for this quiet gem hidden in the alps.
We had a great time on the lake and would highly recommend visiting. We didn't get a chance to take the chairlifts up to the peak where the views, I am told, are great. Although we ended up heading over to Ramsau which is only a few miles away for a wander. A few shots from the evening below.
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