Germany's Spectacular Lake Boasts Emerald-Green Water And Scenic Alpine Views

Tucked away in Bavaria's Berchtesgaden National Park lies one of Germany's most beautiful lakes. A glittering jewel nestled in the folds of the Berchtesgaden Alps, Lake Königssee is a stunningly beautiful glacial lake that brings to mind the picture-perfect fjords of Norway, and it is one of the most sought-after outdoor destinations for in-the-know European travelers.

Lake Königssee is located in a tiny pocket of southeastern Germany that juts out into Austria, and it is almost completely surrounded by the latter country's borders. The nearest German city to Lake Königssee is Munich, about 100 miles away, and Munich International Airport can be reached in around two hours by car. Most visitors, however, choose to arrive at the charming Austrian city of Salzburg, which is just 20 miles away and around half an hour's journey by car. Salzburg Airport is Austria's second-largest airport and is served by routes from all over Europe.

Once you've arrived, you'll discover a mind-blowing combination of dramatic scenery, charming traditional customs, and beautiful historic architecture, as well as some truly spectacular hiking trails. It is also one of the best places in Europe to take a beautiful fall getaway, offering a blast of golden, crimson, yellow, and orange foliage alongside crisp, sunny days and clear night skies.

The highlight of any visit to Lake Königssee is getting out on the emerald-green water. Most people take an official boat tour on the lake's iconic and unique electric boats, which take passengers out to Pier St. Bartholomew. It's a delightful journey with a wonderfully sustainable twist, something you'll appreciate when you are immersed in the region's crisp, clean natural beauty. Return tickets cost just over €22 (around $26) and let you go and come back whenever suits you.

The main attraction of the boat tour is the stunning St. Bartholemew's Church, with its gorgeous and unusual deep-red onion domes, which create a remarkable contrast with the stark mountain cliffs behind. It was built in 1134, but the current architectural style is actually a later design following a rebuild at the end of the 17th century. The main beauty of the church is seen from the outside, although there is some exquisite stucco work on the roof around the apse. Another charming touch to the boat tour is the blowing of a trumpet about halfway to the church, to demonstrate the extraordinarily clear echo that the lake is famous for.

Hiking around Lake Königssee is another amazing experience, and there are some fantastic trails to explore. Rothbach Waterfall offers a simple out-and-back trail. Heading out to the Ice Chapel offers a slightly more challenging route, while experienced thrill-seekers may want to take on the Jenner Summit for a much tougher climb. It is also worth taking time to visit the Eagle's Nest to discover the darker side of Königssee's past. This sumptuous mountain resort was built for Adolf Hitler, and it was there that he and his advisors plotted some of history's worst atrocities.

Staying around Lake Königssee is a rustic yet exhilarating experience. The best way to experience the dramatic natural beauty of this place is to spend a night in one of the quaint mountain huts hidden away on the slopes around the lake. Spots like Kührointhütte, Watzmannhaus, and Berggaststätte Gotzenalm combine outstanding scenery with a wonderfully warm, traditional Bavarian welcome — including excellent, filling meals. If you prefer something a little less adventurous, the nearby town of Schönau am Königssee has plenty of good hotels and guesthouses, such as the Hotel Garni Landhaus Sonnenstern and the Biopension Krennleiten. The Hotel Königssee is also worth staying at, thanks to its enviable lakeside location.

Eating and drinking around the lake makes for a pleasant experience, too. There are a variety of tiny traditional cottage-restaurants around the lake, including the Fischerei St. Bartholomä, which is located by St. Bartholemew's Church, as well as Gaststätte Echostüberl and Seehaus am Königssee, both at the northern end of the lake near Schönau am Königssee. It's worth trying lake trout, the local speciality, as the chances are that it'll have been caught that morning. Otherwise, the fare tends to consists of rich and hearty delicacies of German and Austrian origin.