Bavaria has over 1,000 lakes. The large ones formed when Ice Age glaciers scoured the Alpine foothills, which is why deep, clear lakes line up in front of the mountains between the Allgäu and Berchtesgaden.
The north is different: the Franconian Lake District is young, shallow and warm, while dark cirque lakes lie among the spruces of the Bavarian Forest.
We describe each lake the way you need it: how to get there, where to swim, which walks suit you and when it gets busy. Start with all lakes or go straight to hiking.
