High up in the German Alps is a lake so eerie that it’s known as the Schrecksee (“fright lake”). With an elevation of 5,949 feet, the Schrecksee is Germany’s highest alpine lake – and it’s often covered in fog.
While some might consider it spooky, others would call it beautiful: the Schrecksee has a mystical feel to it.
Located in the Swabian region of Allgäu, the natural lake lies in the Alps — but getting there is no easy feat. Hiking up to the Schrecksee takes about seven to eight hours round-trip, on average. The views, however, are worth the effort: the Austrian border is located only about 1,000 feet away and hikers can peer over to Germany’s neighbor from the Schrecksee.
Those wanting to cool off can swim in the lake — but with temperatures around 55 degrees in the summer, few find the desire to do so.
Today, the Schrecksee remains a lesser-known travel destination in Germany, perhaps due to the difficulty in reaching it. But for those with a sense of adventure and motivation for a long hike, the Schrecksee is well worth the journey! And it’s also a great place to practice social distancing. Just make sure to start your hike early enough to make it back down before sunset.
By Nicole Glass, German Embassy