South of Garmisch in the Wetterstein mountain range at 785 metres above sea level, you’ll find a historic gem: Lake Riessersee. The formation of Lake Riessersee goes all the way back to medieval times. That’s when the lake was artificially created in a forest glade. Behind the picturesque body of water near the Zugspitze, you can see the Waxenstein (2,277 metres) and the Kramer (1,985 metres) mountains towering over it. On clear days, the Zugspitz range is mirrored on the surface of the water.
The hike around the lake attracts lots of visitors and locals year-round. In summer, relaxation seekers can cool off in the water – in winter, people can go ice skating on the lake.
Numerous competitions, among them the Olympic Winter Games of 1936, were held on Lake Riessersee. The world-famous Olympic bobsleigh run is in close proximity as well.