Lake Walchensee, Bayern, Germany – Ultimate Travel Guide + Hike to Herzogstand

Lake Walchensee is one of the most beautiful Bavarian lakes.

It’s nestled between the mountains of Herzogstand and Heimgarten in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. 

There are a lot of cool activities you can do in and around Walchensee. One of the most popular things to do around Lake Walchensee is hiking Herzogstand.

Herzogstand is definitely one of the mountain peaks you cannot miss when it comes to climbing mountains and experiencing majestic landscapes in Germany.

The view all the way up to the top is absolutely stunning. From the top of Herzogstand, you can see not only the breathtaking Lake Walchensee but also Lake Kochelsee.

I have explored the mountains around Lake Walchensee about five times and I collected all the information that you need so that you can plan your own trip to Lake Walchensee.

Lake Walchensee is situated about 85 km from Munich and it’s one of the best day trips from Munich. But you can easily spend there several days as there are so

Incredible vista of Lake Walchensee from Herzogstand –  Bayern, Germany

As always, I recommend you to depart from Munich at the latest at 9 am summertime. The earlier the better. If you want to hike all the way up instead of taking the cable car, start at 7 am or the latest at 8 am.

TICKET NEEDED

For this, the cheapest ticket is the BayernTicket.  The Bayern Ticket will cover all the trains and buses you need for the entire day.

HOW TO GET THERE

If you want to take the cable car, go to Walchensee Herzogstandbahn, Kochel a. See.  That means, in most cases, taking the train from Munich to Kochel a. See and there changing for a bus to get to Walchensee Herzogstandbahn, Kochel a. See.

If you want to hike from Lake Walchensee, you can travel to Walchensee Herzogstandbahn, Kochel a. See. or Urfeld, Kochel a. See.

Check the train schedule, here, on the website of Deutsche Bahn.

If you don’t like hiking, you can take the cable car. Before your trip, check if the cable car operates.

The price of the ride up and down
adults: 18 €
children aged 6 – 12: 7.50 €
children under: free
Seniors: 14 €
Group ticket from 11-30 persons: 13 €
Dogs: 5 €

You can also try to hike up and come down with the cable car.

Price of the one-way ride
adults: 10 €
children aged 6 – 12: 4.50 €
children under 6: free
Seniors: 8.50 €
Group ticket from 11-30 persons: 8 €
Dogs: 3 €

Opening times

First ride up: 9 am
Last ride down: 5 pm
Closing time: 5.15 pm

The cable car drops you off at 1,627 meters (5,338 ft) close to the Berggasthaus Herzogstand (1,575 m / 5,167 ft)), where you can have lunch or a drink. From here, you need to hike to the top of Herzogstand, 1,731 m (5,679 ft).

It takes around 30 minutes. It’s a short distance but the way up is pretty steep.

There is a hiking map at the beginning of each hiking trail leading to Herzogstand and other locations such as Heimgarten (1790 m / 5,870 ft).

Map showing the hiking and cycling routes around Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

When I did this hike last time, it took me 4 hours to reach Herzogstand from the lake. I don’t know if we followed the correct hiking path. Probably not because there was nobody on the way and I just had the feeling that we were not on the right hiking trail.

But another time, I think I took the right one because it took around 2 h 30 mins. :-)

This is the summary of the hike that you can see in the very middle of the map above.

Difficulty level: medium-difficult (H2 officially)
Distance: 4.1 km (3.1 mi)+ 1.3 km (0.80 mi)
Duration: 2 h 30 mins + 30 mins
Starting point (Herzogstandbahn Talstation): 800 m (2,624 ft)
Top of Herzogstand (Herzogstandgipfel): 1,731 m (5,679 ft)

The following pictures are from this hiking trail.

The beginning of the hiking trail leading to Herzogstand – Bayern, Germany

 Awe-inspiring scenery on the way up to Herzogstand – Bayern, Germany

And the next images are from the longer trail that I have no idea where it is on the map. :-)

Scenic view somewhere on the way – Bayern, Germany

A very well maintained hiking trail with beautiful landscape in the background

From this angle, Lake Kochelsee is absolutely stunning. Getting lost in the German Alps is definitely worth it.

Lake Kochelsee – Bayern, Germany

As you are approaching the highest point of Herzogstand, you can enjoy and marvel at the breathtaking Lake Walchensee.

Majestic panoramic view over Lake Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

From the top of Herzogstand, you can see two stunning Bavarian lakes at the same time: Lake Walchensee and lake Kochelsee.

This is Lake Walchensee again. I really love these pictures!

Lake Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

Lake Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

And this is Lake Kochelsee.

Lake Kochelsee – Bayern, Germany

This is the hiking trail leading you to Heimgarten from Herzogstand. With an altitude of 1,790 m (5,870 ft), the peak of Heimgarten is only 59 meters (193 ft) higher than Herzogstand.

If you also want to hike there, start very early.

Hiking trail leading to Heimgarten – Bayern, Germany

Moreover, on the way between Berggasthaus Herzogstand (1,575 m / 5,167 ft) and Herzogstand (1,731 m / 5,679 ft) on the right, you will find a hiking trail to an extremely stunning which is another 30 mins hike up.

Lake Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

Lake Walchensee – Bayern, Germany

On the way, you can meet other hikers and beautiful cows.

Beautiful Bavarian cows in the Alps – Bayern, Germany

Make sure you check when the last cable car is and the last bus from Walchensee. It can be different in different seasons.

• • Hiking backpack
  • Suitable hiking shoes
  • Hiking sticks
  • Suncream to protect your skin against the sun
  • Baseball cap to protect your head against the sun
  • Energy Oatsnack, snacks, fruits, veggies, sandwiches
  • At least 2 L water

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