10 Best Natural Sights around Bavaria

Partnachklamm is among Germany's most popular natural wonders, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors every year. A narrow path secured with railings follows the gorge along the Partnach mountain river, past underground water basins, millennia-old rock formations and behind waterfalls.

The hike around Partnachklamm is family-friendly, making for a great trip from the nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Munich is only a 90-minute car ride or two-hour bus ride away. While most tourists come during summer,the frozen basins and waterfalls offer a magical (and less crowded) experience in winter. Experienced hikers can follow the same trail leading through the gorge all the way to Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze.

Locals consider the 2.5 km-long Breitachklamm a must-visit because of how perfectly it sums up the Allgäu region. Formed after the last ice age, the gorge cuts through the Oberstdorf countryside and into the mountains to offer breathtaking views up to 150 metres below the earth's surface.

Breitachklamm is especially popular among photographers who can capture the unique interplay of light and shadows above and below ground. Thrillseekers should check out the circular trail passing through the 'Zwingsteg', a bridge crossing the gorge more than 100 metres above the water. Insiders recommend visiting during or after a period of rain, at which point the basins and waterfalls are most impressive.

The Zugspitze marks the border between Germany and Austria, with its peak aptly described as 'Germany's roof'. Once you reach the 2,962-metre summit, 360-degree panoramic views draw the eye to 400 easily visible mountain peaks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Visitors can reach the Zugspitze via cable car from the German or Austrian side of the mountain, but the more scenic route is a panoramic cogwheel train that takes passengers 19.5 km to a plateau just below the summit. Adventurous travellers won't just enjoy the skiing and hiking opportunities but also the Iglu dorf, a snow hotel complete with a sauna, bar and restaurant.

The Eibsee is named after the yew trees surrounding its banks, but it's most commonly known for its green-tinted, clear water that is just as inviting for swimming and fishing. Located at the foot of the Zugspitze, the 35-metre-deep lake also offers boat rentals and a 7.5-kilometre hiking trail with views of the surrounding mountains.

Like many of Bavaria's most popular natural sights, the Eibsee was formed during the Würm glaciation, in which the withdrawal of a glacier gave it its unique shape. The eight islands in the lake are especially worth visiting via swim or boat. A visit in winter is less common but offers the opportunity to go ice skating on the fully frozen lake.

Nationalpark Berchtesgaden invites visitors to become one with nature through ambitious hiking trails, stunning views and plenty of gorges and waterfalls. UNESCO has designated the park and its surroundings a biosphere reserve, signifying the untouched nature, plants and environments visitors can expect.

Here, visitors can hike on more than 260 kilometres of trails, go paragliding, or explore the countless small gorges and waterfalls. Visit in spring or autumn to enjoy less crowded spaces, as well as an increased chance to spot one of the few pairs of Golden Eagles that continue to make their home in the German Alps.

The Königssee (‘king's lake’) is among the most picturesque lakes in the Alps. It's most well-known for the town at its banks, Schönau am Königssee, frequently listed among the most quintessential historic towns in Germany. Bavarian royalty has visited the lake and town for centuries to hunt and escape life at court.

No visit to Königssee is complete without a stop at St. Bartholomä, a 12th-century church on the waterfront. Hikers can take a 6-kilometre trail from Schönau to the ice chapel, a cave formed by the remnants of an old glacier, with bird's eye views of the lake along the way. The aptly named Malerwinkel (‘painter's corner’) is another hidden hiking destination with breathtaking views of the lake.

The Bavarian Forest Nature Park combines with the neighbouring Sumava National Park in Czechia to create the largest protected contiguous forest in Central Europe. Known locally as Bayrischer Wald, it offers a habitat for endangered animal species like the Eurasian lynx, bears, wolves, beavers and more.

The park is among the few places in Germany left to experience truly undisturbed nature. Hiking trails through woodlands and along the Danube river valley offer a chance to disconnect. Visiting families should check out the interactive exhibits at the Forest History Museum in St. Oswald or the Forest Playground Spiegelau for some adventuring.

Kleiner Arbersee is most commonly known for its swimming islands, a unique natural phenomenon in which moss and other plants grow on top of the water. The islands are relatively stable but change position depending on wind strength and direction. Visitors are not allowed to step on the islands.

Beyond this unique phenomenon, Kleiner Arbersee is a popular hiking destination with a 9-kilometre trail leading around its banks. Locals recommend lunch at the lakeside Seehäusl, famous for its old Bavarian potato soup that keeps visitors warm even on cold winter days.

The Black Moor is most popular in winter when thousands of winter sports enthusiasts enjoy its relatively flat area for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing adventures. In summer, the hiking trails become a popular attraction, crossing the 66-hectare protected nature area in a grid-like pattern.

The Black Moor earns its name from the number of plants that tend to rot quickly due to its wet ground. However, that same condition has also made these wetlands one of the most biodiverse areas in Germany, with thousands of plant types natively growing here. The Naturlehrpfad Schwarzes Moor helps hikers better understand the nature around them.

Starnberger See is located just 20 kilometres south of Munich and is known for its mountain views, water quality and recreational opportunities. Bavaria's second largest lake is also known as Fürstensee (‘Count's Lake’) thanks to its popularity among Bavaria's current and historically rich and famous.

Around the lakeshore, hire boats and beer gardens abound. A ferry can take visitors to hot spots like Starnberg, Tutzing, Bernried, Ambach and Ammerland. A 46-kilometre trail offers a workout even for experienced hikers and bikers, while Rose Island still houses the gardens where King Ludwig II hosted guests and other royalty.