Seebensee Lake and Drachensee Lake are two of the most beautiful natural high mountain lakes in Europe.
Hiking to these two stunning lakes is one of the best hikes in Austria and one of the best day trips from Munich.
The shiny emerald-blue Seebensee Lake is situated at an altitude of 1,657 meters (5,436 ft) surrounded by breathtaking mountains. From Seebensee you can hike further to reach Drachensee Lake which is at about 1,874 meters (6,148 ft) for an even more spectacular view.
In this travel guide, you can read all the practical information that you need to plan this hike for yourself such as how to get there, what you need to prepare for this hike, what the hiking trail is like, and more.
Seebensee Lake and Drachensee Lake are located south of Ehrwald in Austria.
Ehrwald is about 17 km from the German-Austrian border. From both Germany and Austria, it’s easy to reach.
View of Drachensee from Coburger Hütte
PLACES CLOSE TO EHRWALD
There are too many epic places close to Ehrwald that you might just want to stay in the area around Ehwald. To help you to plan multi-day trips, I will list some of the best places close to Ehrwald.
I indicated Ehrwald, Seebensee and Drachensee with a little red star and beautiful places nearby with a little red heart.
SEBEENSEE DRANCHENSEE MAP INCLUDING BEST PLACES NEARBY
EHRWALD FROM MUNICH
Ehrwald itself is about 110 km from the Bavarian capital of Munich and the proximity makes hiking to Seebensee and Drachensee one of the most epic day trips from Munich.
FROM EHRWALD TO GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
It’s only 22 km from Garmisch-Partenkirchen from which you can quickly get to some of the most iconic and beautiful places in Germany.
After visiting Seebensee and Drachensee, you can travel to Garmisch, stay there and visit Eibsee Lake, Partnach Gorge, Höllenalklamm Gorge and Alpspitze.
FROM EHRWALD TO ZUGSPITZE
From Ehrwald, you can quickly get to Zugspitze, the top of Germany with the Tiroler Zugspitzebahn.
FROM EHRWALD TO HIGHLINE 179
Ehrwald is only 19 km from Highline 197, the longest suspension bridge in Austria surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
FROM EHRWALD TO INNSBRUCK
You will be also very close to the magnificent Tyrolian town of Innsbruck which is only 53 km from Ehrwald.
2.1. BY CAR TO EHRWALDER ALMBAHN
In Google maps, you can enter Ehrwalder Almbahn. This is the valley station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn cable car.
At the valley station of the cable car, you will also find a parking lot which costs 5 € per day.
If you don’t have your own car, you can just rent one through DiscoverCars.
View of Seebensee from the hiking trail leading to Drachensee
2.2. BY TRAIN FROM MUNICH THROUGH GARMISH-PARTENKIRCHEN TO EHRWALDER ALMBAHN
Here, I explain how to get to Seebensee and Drachensee, if you start your journey by train from Munich.
STEP 1 – FROM MUNICH TO EHRWALD ZUGSPITZEBAHN
When you search for the train schedule, take Ehrwald Zugspitzebahn as your destination. As it will be a long day, start as early as you can. Leave Munich at least at 7:30.
Journey duration: Normally 1 hour 57 mins
Ticket needed: You can buy either a Bayern Ticket or a Werdenfels Ticket.
For this trip, the Werdenfells ticket is enough. The Werdenfels Ticket is a bit cheaper than the Bayern Ticket.
Check the train schedule, here, on the website of Deutsche Bahn (German Railways).
STEP 2 – FROM EHRWALD ZUGSPITZEBAHN TO EHRWALDER ALMBAHN TALSTATION
Take the bus from the train station to the valley station (Talstation) of the Erwahlder Almbahn cable car.
For the bus ticket, you need to pay separately. It costs 2,70 €.
The number of the bus can change. When I was there last time it was bus number 1.
When you are at the bus stop, you will see several buses departing for different places. Just make sure, your bus is going to the Ehrwalder Almbahn.
2.3. FROM EHRWALDER ALMBAHN CABLE CAR VALLEY STATION TO EHWALDER ALMBAHN TOP STATION
Take the Erwahlder Almbahn cable car from the valley station to the top station. It’s a short journey with a beautiful view.
If you want to save money, you can skip it and hike up as well. In that case, instead of the 9-minute cable car ride, you will need at least 1 hour 30 minutes to hike up.
Last time, I took the cable car because I wanted to spend a lot of time taking photos on the way up and at the lakes. If I had not taken the cable car, I would not have had time for photography.
EHWALDER ALMBAHN CABLE CAR TICKET PRICES
One-way for adults: 15 €
One-way ticket for teens (age 16-18): 12 €
One-way ticket for children (age 6-15): 9 €
Two-way ticket for adults: 23,50 €
Two-way ticket for teens (age 16-18): 19 €
Two-way ticket for children (age 6-15): 14 €
EHWALDER ALMBAHN CABLE CAR OPERATING HOURS IN THE SUMMER SEASON
Between 9 May to 3. November 2024, the following schedule applies:
First cable car: 8:30
Last cable car: 16:30
But in June, July, and August, the schedule is much better:
First cable car: 8:00
Last cable car: 17:30
SEEBENSEE DRACHENSEE HIKING MAP
The green line is the hiking trail we are taking.
Map showing the hiking trail from the mountain station of the Erwahlder Almbahn cable car to Seebensee and Drachensee
HIKING FROM EHRWALDER ALMBAHN CABLE CAR TOP STATION TO SEEBENSEE LAKE
Trailhead: Ehrwalder Almbahn Bergstation (Ehrwalder Almbahn cable car mountain station)
Hike duration: ~ 2 hours
Hike distance: 6 km
Hike difficulty: easy
Ehrwalder Almbahn top station altitude: 1,508 m (4,940 ft)
Seebensee Lake altitude: 1,657 m (5,436 ft)
Elevation difference: 149 m (489 ft)
HIKING FROM SEEBENSEE LAKE TO DRACHENSEE LAKE
Hike duration: ~ 30 – 45 min
Hike difficulty: medium
Seebensee Lake altitude: 1,657 m (5,436 ft)
Drachensee Lake altitude: 1,874 m (6,148 ft)
Elevation difference: 217 m (712 ft)
I have done this hike a couple of times. Thus, you will see both older pictures and my latest pictures.
Starting from the mountain station of the cable car, there are many routes. So, I always stopped at the signs to make sure that I’m hiking toward Seebensee Lake.
The beginning of the hike is super easy. You can see a lot of cows on the way.
Starting the hike from the Ehrwahlder Almbahn cable car top station to Seebensee when I did the hike for the first time
Starting the hike from the Ehrwahlder Almbahn cable car top station to Seebensee when I did the hike last time
You will be going through beautiful forests.
Stunning scenery on the way between the Ehrwahlder Almbahn cable car top station and Seebensee
And you can also see a gorgeous waterfall on the way.
As you can see the hiking trail, it’s kind of rocky. This is why you need hiking or trekking shoes instead of regular trainers.
One of the sections of the hiking trail between the Ehrwahlder Almbahn cable car top station and Seebensee
On the way, you can visit the mountain restaurant called the Ehrwalder Alm, where you can have a meal or a drink in case you got there very early.
One of the cute mountain restaurants, Ehrwahlder Alm, on the way to Seebensee
Once, you reach Seebensee Lake, you can admire its beauty from every angle. If you enjoy swimming in cold water, you can also swim in the lake. It’s one of the most picture-perfect and stunning mountain lakes not only in Tyrol but in Austria.
The first glimpse of the spectacular view of Seebensee LAke
Having a closer look at the stunning Seebensee Lake
The beautiful emerald green water of Seebensee Lake
On the hiking trail going up to Drachensee, the scenery is simply mind-blowing.
Magnificient vista of Seebensee Lake on the way to Drachensee Lake
Seebensee and Drachensee are not far from each other. It’s a short but steep hike. The hiking trail is full of little rocks and stones.
In about 45 minutes you can be up at Coberger Hütte (alpine hut) and enjoy the beautiful view of Drachensee.
The first glimpse of one of the most breathtaking mountain lakes of Austria, Drachensee
Closer look at Drachensee Lake
From Coburger Hütte (alpine hut), you can walk further up for a more beautiful view of the Drachensee Lake.
View of Drachensee Lake as you wak higher from Coburger Hütte
After hiking to Drachensee, you can walk higher to have a better view of the Seebensee and the Wetterstein mountains behind the lake.
View of Seebensee behind Coburger Hütte
I was almost about to leave when I decided to chill a bit more at Drachensee. After 3 pm, as the sun was disappearing slowly, the color of the surface of the lake was changing as well. It was so beautiful!
Relaxing on a deck chair at Drachensee Lake
You can meet plenty of cute animals on the way back as well, such as cows and highland cattle. When I hiked here for the first time, they were literally on the hiking trail.
Cows along the hiking route on my first visit to Seebensee
Highland cattle on my first visit to Seebensee
When I hiked here last time, there were also a lot of horses but not directly on the hiking trails.
Horses living the best of their life in the mountains
Highland cattle on my second visit to Seebensee
There are a lot of options here for this trip. You decide how much you want to spend.
By train with Bayern-Ticket
For 1 person: 29 €
For 2 persons: 39 € / 19.50 € per person
For 3 persons: 49 € / 16.30 € per person
For 4 persons: 59 € / 14.75 € per person
For 5 persons: 69 € / 13.80 € per person
Cable car
one-way: 15 €
two-way: 23,50 €
Driving expenses
Vignette in Austria: 8.60 €
Fuel
As for getting back, if you want to take the cable car and the bus back to Ehrwald, double-check and keep the time of the last cable car and bus in mind.
The last cable car is either at 16:30 0r 17:30. I personally never managed to reach these ones as they are too early. Thus, I always hiked from Drachensee all the way back to the train station of Ehrwald.
The hiking trail back to the Ehrwald train station is always obvious.
If you decide to walk back to the train station because you don’t want to leave too early, just make sure that you are aware of the last train or the replacement bus from Ehrwald back to your final destination.
Outside the summer season, always check when the sun sets and make sure you are back at the station before it gets dark.
7.1. WHAT TO WEAR
- Best and most suitable hiking boots. I highly recommend the brand Mammut. That’s what I’m also wearing.
- Hiking backpack: Try not to pack much but you really need a backpack for claiming.
- Gloves: To protect your hands while using the ropes
- Hiking socks
- Comfortable leggings and shirt
7.2. PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
- iPhone for taking photos. In this blog, mostly all my photos were taken with my iPhone.
- Mobile phone chain: This is very practical if you want to take photos while climbing or hiking.
- GoPro Hero 7 for adventure photography
- Power bank if you want to take a lot of photos and make videos, a power bank is essential.
- Canon G7X compact camera: I took some of the photos with this camera.
- Manfrotto lightweight tripod: I took all the photos of myself with this tripod.
- Manfrotto MCLamp: To attach your smartphone to a tripod, you also need a smartphone holder.
- Bluetooth remote control: It’s very small and convenient for shooting photos.
7.3. WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE IN YOUR BACKPACK
- Rain-jacket: Before your trip, check if you need a light rain jacket
- Sun protection cream: In summer, in the mountains, the sun is very strong, and regardless of what type of skin type you have, you need to protect your skin from the strong traditions of the sun.
- Sunglasses
- First Aid Kit: It might just be a scratch, but in a Via Ferrata you’ll be thankful for a band-aid. A first aid kit should always be in your pack.
- Snacks such as energy bars, fruits, sandwiches
- Water: Bring at least 2 L of water in summer with you.
There are numerous fantastic locations near Seebensee Lake and Drachensee Lake. You have the option to stay overnight in Ehrwald or Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Spending a week in this region allows for wonderful day trips from either Ehrwald or Garmisch.
Such picturesque destinations deserve equally charming accommodations. Make sure your stay includes one of the delightful hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
LUXURY HOTEL IN GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Obermühle 4*S Boutique Resort:
It’s a 4-star superior hotel offering an indoor swimming pool, various saunas, steam baths, a children’s playground, and a cozy lounge. It’s located in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has a stunning panorama garden with a view of the Zugspitze mountain peak.
MID-RANGE HOTEL IN GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
It’s also an awesome hotel situated in the center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen offering Alpine-style rooms and serving both Bavarian and international delicacies.
BUDGET HOTEL IN GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Hyperion Hotel Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
It’s a traditional Bavarian guest house inside out in the heart of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. They serve authentic and super tasty Bavarian dishes and beers.
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Hi,
Can we go to Seebensee from Almbahn top with my 4.5 year old daughter.
Also can we take kinderwagen? (July 2020)
Hi Vinay, The distance is 6 km one way. I would not take Kinderwagen there. She should either walk it or you can carry her when she gets tired.
A great Blog, and very structured! ..keep going on ?
Thank you very much, Abir! I hope it will be helpful for your trip to Seebensee.
Hi Diana! Did you do this trip from Munich with trains & buses ? It seems that this is a very long trip, how many hours did you need to finish all that in one day? Thanks
Hi Liridon! I have done this trip 3 times in 5 years using only trains and buses. It’s not far from Munich at all. I normally start the day super early, latest at 7 am from Munich and I take the enrire day for the trip. Last time, I stayed there for a long time because I took a lot of photos and made vidoes. If you don’t want to feel stressed about the time, take the train from Munich at around 6 am. In that case, you can start the hike at around 10 am and make it to the Coburger Hütte by lunch time. It’s really worth starting the day early and then take your time hiking. I just checked and I see that last time, I started this day trip at at 5:32 am from Munich Hauptbahnhof.