Quiet Hours at the Osterseen Lakes

The “Osterseen” nature reserve, with its approximately 20 large and small lakes, lies south of Lake Starnberg and belongs to the municipalities of Seeshaupt and Iffeldorf. The lake district is well connected by the Kochelsee railway or the nearby Munich-Garmisch motorway. The Osterseen lakes are therefore not an insider tip and not secluded, even if most of the traffic continues to Kochelsee or Walchensee, Murnau or Garmisch, the Bavarian Prealps, Wetterstein, Karwendel, Ammergau or one of the higher Alpine regions. Nevertheless, I found peace and solitude.

Swimming in the lakes is permitted at a few designated bathing spots; most of the reed and shore zones are quiet areas for flora and fauna. Boats and SUPs must also maintain an appropriate distance. Near Iffeldorf, there are two nearby bathing areas at Lake Fohnsee: at the “FKK-Hügel” (nudist hill) and the bathing meadow at the Fohnseestüberl. At the latter, the shore zone is very shallow, which is an advantage for families with small children.

The landmark of the bathing area at Lake Fohnsee is the skeleton of a dead tree on the lakeshore, a temptation for children. Climbing there is forbidden, and not without reason, as unfortunately children have already been injured after disregarding the ban and falling down.

In front of and behind the sunbathing lawn is the campsite with pitches in the forest and on a meadow behind the shore zone. Evenings can end spectacularly when the sun sets behind the opposite shore, creating an impressive atmosphere.

Then the small wooden jetty at the campsite becomes a meeting point for guests – young and old – to experience sociable or quiet moments. As a counterpoint to such memorable evenings, I was able to start the day in the morning with an early swim in the lake after sunrise.