Lake Plansee In Austria - How To Hike To The Best Viewpoint

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One of my favorite lakes in Austria is Lake Plansee, located close on the border between Austria and Germany. While there’s a lot of activities to do around the lake, one of the best things to do is to hike up to one of the most spectacular viewpoints!

We hiked up one early morning in early November and didn’t meet a single other person until we started hiking back down. We had the entire place all to ourselves!

The viewpoint grants you an incredible overview over Lake Plansee and the surrounding mountains.

In this quick guide I will tell you everything you need to know to find this hidden viewpoint yourself! Cause yes, it is pretty tucked away!

📖 READ MORE – 9 x Very Best Things To Do In Ehrwald

Lake Plansee Viewpoint Hiking Stats
Where is Lake Plansee
The best time to visit Lake Plansee
How to reach the trailhead
What to expect along the hiking trail
Where to stay

Lake Plansee Viewpoint Hiking Stats

Hiking Distance – 4.7km

Elevation – 350m

Duration – 2.5 hours

Route Type – Out & Back

Best time to visit – Start your hike in the early morning for the best views

Parking – Camping Seespitze

Where is Lake Plansee

Lake Plansee is located in the Tyrol region of Austria, near the border with Germany. It lies about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the town of Reutte and roughly 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, making it a popular spot for visitors coming from both Austria and southern Germany. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the stunning Ammergau Alps, Lake Plansee is the second-largest lake in Tyrol and is known for its crystal-clear turquoise water, perfect for swimming, boating, and hiking.

How to reach Lake Plansee

Reaching Lake Plansee is quite accessible, especially if you’re traveling from nearby Austrian or German locations. Here are some ways to get there:

By Car

Driving is the easiest way to reach Lake Plansee, especially if you want to explore the area at your own pace. The lake is about a 20-minute drive from Reutte, Austria, and around a 45-minute drive from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. From Munich, it’s roughly a 1.5-hour drive. You can follow the scenic route through the Ammergau Alps, with well-signposted roads leading to Lake Plansee. Parking is available near the lake for visitors.

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By Public Transport

From Reutte, Austria – Take a bus from Reutte to Lake Plansee. During the peak summer season, there are direct bus connections, making it an easy and scenic trip.
From Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – You can take a train to Reutte and then transfer to a local bus bound for Lake Plansee.
From Munich, Germany – Take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Reutte and continue by bus from there.

By Bicycle

If you’re up for an adventure, cycling to Lake Plansee is a beautiful option, especially from nearby towns like Reutte or Lermoos. There are well-maintained cycling paths, and the route through the Alps offers breathtaking views.

By Foot

For hiking enthusiasts, there are multiple trails leading to Lake Plansee from the surrounding mountains, including from the popular starting points near Reutte and the Plansee Achensee trail. This option is perfect if you want to make Lake Plansee a stop on a longer hiking journey.

The best time to visit Lake Plansee

The best time to visit Lake Plansee is from late spring to mid fall, typically between May and November. During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, hiking, and cycling around the lake. In the summer (June to August), temperatures are warmest, and the lake’s crystal-clear waters are perfect for a refreshing dip, with nearby facilities open and the surrounding area lively with visitors.

Late spring (May) and fall (September – October) are also great times to visit if you prefer fewer crowds and slightly cooler temperatures. In these shoulder months, you’ll still enjoy scenic hikes, beautiful reflections on the lake, and vibrant natural surroundings. Outside of this period, the weather can be colder, and snow is possible, which may limit access to some activities, though winter brings its own serene beauty and is ideal for winter sports in the surrounding areas.

How to reach the trailhead

The hike up to this gorgeous viewpoint isn’t an official trail so without its exact starting location you’ll be looking for a really, really long time.

The closest parking spot to the trailhead is located across the entrance of Camping Seespitze. After you’ve parked your car simply cross the nearby Seespitzbrücke and go left after crossing.

Keep on following the trail around the lake for about 20 minutes. At one point you’ll reach a big river bedding which you’ll have to cross. The hiking trail starts about 5 meters behind it on your right.

The trail starts off steep and honestly, it never dies down on your way up. Let’s just say that I was really happy that I brought my hiking poles with me.

What to expect along the hiking trail

The trail starts with a steep incline up through the forest. It’s not a very well maintained trail so expect a lot of tree roots sticking out and sometimes a tree trunk that you’ll have to clamber over. But the views over Lake Plansee that you get while peeping through the trees is a huge motivation to keep on going!

After around what feels like 50 switchbacks the trail becomes a little less clearer but honestly, at this point it doesn’t really matter which direction you follow cause you’ll end up at the viewpoint no matter what.

Once you arrive at the viewpoint the ground also changes from a forest ground to loose gravel. Something I didn’t expect, especially not combined with a the viewpoint being more narrow than expected. But we made it work and managed to snap a couple of beautiful family photos! The sun had just started peeping over the mountains, adding a golden glow to the already vibrant fall foliage.

It’s an out & back trail so to get back to your car simply follow the same way back down. Especially for this part I was extremely happy that I brought my hiking poles. I was convinced I would land on my ass due to all of the slippery tree roots but I made it down without any bruises on my bum!

All in all it took us 2.5 hours in total!

Where to stay

If you also want to explore the region of Ehrwald in Austria or Garmisch Partenkirchen in Germany then I recommend to base yourself in that area. This way you can also explore the stunning Eibsee, visit the world famous Neuschwanstein castle or hike up to Seebensee and Drachensee.

Mei Puite – During our time in the region we stayed at this appartement. It had two bedrooms and a balcony with a view over the majestic Zugspitze and the other nearby mountains.

Bergresort Zugspitze Ehrwald by ALPS RESORTS – This luxury 4 star resort has an outdoor pool, a wellness and a fitness centre. All rooms come with a mountain view. Honestly the perfect hotel for a romantic holiday in the mountains where you just want to relax when coming back from a hike.

If you have any questions about how to visit Lake Plansee, let me know in the comment section below!

More information on Tirol in Austria

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Lake Plansee In Austria – How To Hike To The Best Viewpoint

Lake Plansee Viewpoint Hiking Stats