Eibsee

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Eibsee

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Eibsee: In Zugspitze’s Arms

The word ‘lake’ is derived from the Latin word ‘lacus’. It simply refers to a large water body within a piece of land. It was first used in 12th century A.D. Eibsee is a beautiful lake situated in Bavaria, Germany. Bavaria is famous for many things like the annual Oktoberfest, cultural and art festivals. Eibsee is one of the most breathtaking and serene places in Bavaria.

Location

 Lake Eibsee is situated in Bavaria, also known as Freistaat Bayern, a federal state of Germany. It is the largest state in Germany, with a total area of 27,200 square m. Its exact location is 47.27’28”N 10.58’23”E. It is situated at the base of the mountain of Zugspitze.

Weather

From May to October, the weather near the lake is usually pleasant. Varying from 15-18.5 degrees Celsius. During winters the lake freezes up, and the temperature drops to as low as -2 degrees Celsius.

History

Eibsee is located at the foot of the Zugspitze. The mountain has an exciting history of its own. In 1820 the summit was climbed by a group of Land Surveyors, the team consisted of a total of three members, two men named Deutschl and Maier. The team was headed by Josef Naus who was a Lieutenant. However, their victory was short-lived. The Alpenverein discovered a map made in the year 1770 which suggested that the locals had conquered the peak of Zugspitze fifty years before Lieutenant Deutschl’s team.

The mountain has also been an important part of princely relationships between various rulers, in the year 1854, Bavaria was gifted the north of the peak by Franz Joseph I. Joseph I was the Apostolic King of Hungary and Emperor of Austria. Since that day the Zugspitze has been a part of Bavaria, which was a separate empire earlier. As a matter of fact, Zugspitze is the highest peak of unified Germany.

Like all major peaks in the world, Zugspitze has also attracted many conquerors. Before 1882 no one had ever tried to reach the peak in winters. This milestone was achieved by H Schwaiger, F. Killer and J, Zametzer. And since then there have been countless attempts to reach the summit in different ways. A pilot named F. Hailer succeeded in landing a plane on the summit of the Schneeferner Glacier. Ernst Udet created history in, 1927 when he managed to take off a gladiator from Schneeferner. After twenty-five minutes of the flight, he landed on Lermoos. It was not easy to take the gladiator to the glacier. It was taken in cable cars to Zugspitze in individual and disassembled parts. Within five years of the gladiator flight, in 1931, a hot air balloon took off from the summit. When modernization efforts were made to connect Bavaria with the mountain, a post office was set up in 1931 during winters. It was a landmark step to increase and spread communication within Bavaria.

Hitler’s rule over Germany saw a significant shift in demography and culture. Many historical, as well as natural places, were demarcated by the ‘Swastika’. The Zugspitze was also demarcated by a Swastika flag on the top of the weather station by stream troopers. For them, it was a way of occupying the mountain. During the World War, several attempts were made to remove the Nazi regiment. As a result, the Air Force of USA dropped bombs on the peak on 20th April 1945. Due to this the railway station, as well as a hotel, was destroyed.

The US military occupied a hotel on top of the peak, back then it was known as Schneefernerhaus, soon after the Second World War. The main reason for occupying the Schneefernerhaus was to provide rooms to militants as well as non-militant civilian employees of USA. The peak then became famous for skiing. The tutors were from Germany or Austria, and their charge was a quarter dollar for one hour. The accommodation was also payable at the rate of $1. It included the meals as well.

 Travelling to the Lake

The lake is well connected by all the main destinations in Bavaria. You can reach the lake in thirty minutes from Zugspitze Railway Station. The fare of the journey is approximately 25 Euros. Eibsee Bus Halt can be reached from Garmisch-Partenkirchen in forty-two minutes for 3 Euros. You can reach the lake from Eibsee Bus Halt either by a bus or a rental car.

 Bavaria, Zugspitze, and Eibsee

Bavaria is situated the southeastern side of Germany. It is also called as the Free State and is quite famous for its culture. The Alps are also a major landmark of Bavaria. Zugspitze is the highest peak in the Alpine region. The lake is situated at the base of the mountain of Zugspitze. The lake is spread over 13.39 square km, and it is 3.15 km long lengthwise and 0.56 km in width. The primary inflow of the lake is Kotbach, Weiterbach. The lake stores roughly 21,610,000 cubic meters of water.

Why Visit?

Lake Eibsee is a major tourist attraction of Zugspitze region. It is covered with natural grandiose. The serenity and tranquility of the place are indescribable. The naturally occurring plants and organisms of the place will leave you spellbound. The lake looks green due to refraction. There are many things which one can do near the lake. You can camp near the lake, camping in the arms of nature is one of the best experiences. In case you are not in the mood to camp, then you can walk around the lake. Strolling around the beautiful turquoise lake is a very good idea. You can also cycle around the lake. The cycle journey is approximately thirty-three kilometers long. During summers many groups organize such cycle rally. The difficulty level is moderate, and it is definitely, the best way to explore the lake.

If you are a ski lover, then you should come here in winters, when the lake freezes. If you are new to skiing then also you can try it with the help of the tutors available in the area. If you are not satisfied with the reason mentioned above and just want to spend some time sightseeing, then you can try the car cable. You can see the entire area in a glance. You’ll feel as active as a bird after watching the scenery from such height. If you are afraid of height and still want to try sightseeing, then you should opt for the railway route. Another reason to visit this particular part of Germany is for its love of beer. According to a source, this part of Germany has the highest number of beer drinkers. This place is also one of the largest beer producers in the world. There are enough reasons to visit the magnificent lake, Eibsee. You will enjoy all the things the lake has in store for you.

 

Major Attractions

  •    It is one of the most serene places in Germany. Nature lovers will be lost in the beauty and tranquility of the place.
  •    The visit is a complete package. You can enjoy the mountains as well as the lake.
  •    If you visit eibsee in summer then you can definitely camp around the lake. In summers many groups organize a cycle rally. The cyclist cover almost a distance of 32.5 km and it is nothing less than Tour de France. Cycling is possible in the months of May, June, July, August, September and October.
  •    In winter the lake freezes and tourists and ski. If you are a beginner then you can hire a tutor for yourself.
  •    The cable car from Eibsee to the Zugspitze will definitely give a push to adrenaline junkies. The view from the car is breathtaking.
  •    The ride to the mountain via the Zugspitze Railway of Bavaria is similar to the car cable ride; both of them will increase your heartbeat.
  •    Hiking is one of the major attractions of the area. The geographical location and the terrain make the hike even more enjoyable.
  •    You can even hike to the Schneeferner glacier in summers.
  •    After the long ride or walk around the lake, tourist can easily enjoy snacks and bask in the little bit of sunlight that is available in day time.

 

 

 

What Else is Around?

 

  • If beer runs in your blood then hiking or reaching the peak is a must for you. Once you climb the summit, you will be welcomed with beer. There are many beer gardens at the top of Zugspitze. In fact, these gardens are the highest beer gardens in the world.
  • There are many cafes and hotels around the lake. The food served is amazing, in fact, tourists can enjoy the local German cuisine, and they can also enjoy the spa in the cold weather.
  • Zugspitze has many slopes on both sides so you can try snowboarding and skiing from any one of it.
  • The Alps are one of the major attraction of Bavaria. Many peaks situated in the region are accessible via a short train ride from Munich.
  • There are many beautiful castles in Bavaria, which reflect Germany’s past. History is lived again by just visiting these beautiful castles.
  • Bavaria is a home to the head offices of many motor companies. The head office of BMW is situated in Munich.
  • Oktoberfest needs no introduction. It is held every year exclusively in Munich, Bavaria.
  • Oberammergau conducts one of the most unique plays. It is famous for its passion play, which is held once in a decade.
  • Bavaria is known for its local culture and tradition. When you are in Bavaria, you can purchase the famous Bavarian costume, lederhosen.

Eibsee is truly a traveler’s delight and if you’re visiting Germany anytime soon, you cannot afford to miss out on this place. With really thrilling experiences on offer, this place will keep you enchanted for all throughout your stay. So, go ahead and visit Eibsee with family and friends and make the most of your holidays!