von Tessa Mellinger
20 May 2026
Summer
Water Guide: The Most Beautiful Places by the Water
You can keep a cool head even on hot days at these places:
The best tips for a day by the lake, the most beautiful hikes along picturesque mountain streams, a cozy picnic by the shore, a sporty challenge, and the most enchanting cabins by the lake. There's definitely something for everyone here!
A Day at the Lake
Blue sky, hot temperatures, plenty of sun – in short: perfect bathing weather! On these days, bathers and water lovers are best off at the Wildsee in Seefeld and at the Möserer See in Mösern. While families can splash around in the lake and in the children's pool for hours at the Strandperle at Wildsee, rent pedal boats, or recharge at the restaurant, the nearby Waldschwimmbad Sonja is a bit quieter, cozier, and shadier. The same applies to the Möserer See: it is located at 1,295m in the middle of the forest and is a true natural paradise. Around the lake, you can always find a nice spot in the light underbrush, the brave can swim to the small island in the middle of the lake, and children & teenagers swing into the cool water with a jump on the swing.
Right over the border lie the three Bavarian lakes Lautersee, Ferchensee and Geroldsee. You can ride your bike through the Leutaschtal to the lakes, where you can enjoy an extra-long break by the shore and cool off.
Leutasch Valley with Lautersee
Action & Adventure by the Water with Kids
Little explorers and big adventurers want to experience new things, explore hidden worlds and be away from beaten paths. All around the region, there are countless spots for those who seek the right dose of adventure.
The Leutascher Geisterklamm is the perfect place for this: it's rumored that goblins and ghosts hide deep in its bubbling waters. One wanders along daring steel walkways and bridges far above the rushing gorge and experiences truly unique views.
The adventure playground at the Leutascher Ache delivers exactly what it promises: it is the perfect destination for a short hike or bike tour and the kids can have fun here for hours.
Equally beautiful is the TIP: HERE you can find more insider tips from the locals for families with children.
Cozy picnic by the water
A few cool drinks, a picnic basket full of delicacies, fruit and ice cream, and a perfect spot by the water: that’s summer! In pleasant company with friends, family, or just the two of you: at the Leutascher Ache and the Isar in the Karwendel, you can make yourself comfortable by the shore, enjoying cool refreshment and sunbathing included.
The Leutascher Ache flows from the Gaistal through the entire Leutaschtal to Mittenwald. Almost everywhere you have access to the water. It is particularly beautiful at the adventure playground and at the climbing garden Flämenwandl.
The Isar springs deep in the Hinterautal in the Karwendel mountain range and flows from there with its turquoise, fresh water to Scharnitz. Along the entire valley, there are several points of access to the shore.
TIP: Even if you only take a short walk from the Scharnitz information center towards the Karwendel valleys, you can already find beautiful picnic spots along the wide banks.
As a general rule: please treat nature with respect, take your trash back with you, and do not disturb nesting birds on the riverbanks, so that we can all continue to enjoy these places in the future.
Water basin for playing and kneipp therapy
The Seefeld region has four kneipp facilities, whose water basins are also perfect for cooling off and playing for children. A special highlight is certainly the water playground in Salzbach in the Gaistal. All facilities can be perfectly combined with a small hike.
Tours on the Water
On some days, we just don't want to decide whether we prefer to be by the water or in the mountains. Fortunately, we don't have to: these hikes and bike tours always run alongside cool mountain streams and rushing rivers, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Hikes by the Water
Cycling Tours by the Water
Bike & Hike by the Water
Mountain huts & alpine pastures located near the water
What is more beautiful than a house by the lake? Right: A mountain hut by the lake.
If you want to experience a true wonder of nature, visit the Lottenlake. The a-periodic lake appears (in the truest sense of the word) only every few years, and to this day researchers are puzzled as to why that is. Adjacent to it, you have the best view of the lake from the Lottenlake hut. ATTENTION - it is best to check in advance whether the lake is currently present.
The Möserer Seestub’n is also located on the shore of a picturesque lake. The Möserer Lake is situated at 1,295m in the midst of a nature reserve. After splashing around, you can enjoy the best Tyrolean cuisine, drinks, and homemade ice cream on the sun terrace of Möserer Seestub’n.
Between two of the most beautiful and clearest mountain lakes, the Drachensee and Seebensee, lies the Coburger Hütte. By Bike and Hike, the hut and the lakes can be reached via the Gaistal along beautiful paths.
Not located at the lake, but instead beside the turquoise blue and crystal clear waters of the Isar, is the Scharnitzer Alm. It invites you to enjoy a cozy meal with the best homemade mountain hut food, while listening to the gentle splashing of the river and the house spring.
Cool paths & refreshments with the dog
Are you out and about with your four-legged companions? Our beloved furry friends certainly deserve to cool off on hot days. At the Strandperle by the Wildsee in Seefeld, there is a dedicated sunbathing area for masters, mistresses, and dogs.
Family Playing in the Lake - Seefeld
Every few years, the a-periodic Wildmoossee shines in its full beauty and invites you to jump into the cool water. But even when it is not fully there, it and the nearby Wildmoosalm are definitely worth a visit.
Quiet spots for a break by the water can also be found on the banks of the Isar near Scharnitz. Refreshing mountain rivers flow through the Karwendel Valley and Gleirschtal, offering picturesque hikes, where your companions will often come to the water for a drink break.
Water sports
For those who find a day at the water too boring and are looking for action and movement during their vacation, there is a huge variety of sporting opportunities in and on the water throughout the region.
Especially popular – not only among families and friends – is pedal boating at the Wildsee. You can rent the boats directly at the Strandperle. And if that’s not enough: There’s also a beach volleyball court as well as a large playground for kids.
The rushing waters can be experienced even more adventurously while rafting or kayaking – for example, on the crystal-clear water of the Isar amidst the imposing Karwendel mountain range.
For those seeking the perfect combination of untouched nature and thrill, canyoning in the Bergleintal near Leutasch is a direct dive into adventure. The technically easy tour is ideal for beginners.
A bit more relaxed, but still filled with adrenaline and feelings of happiness, is fishing. At the Weidachsee, beginners can rent equipment without a fishing license. The feeling of having caught your first fish all by yourself remains a proud memory for a long time! It’s also a real holiday adventure for families with children.
Ice bathing at the Isar
Out of the comfort zone, into the cold water! A real thrill for the brave can be found at the Ice bathing at the Isar in Scharnitz. Accompanied by a certified trainer, you will dare the ultimate refreshment at water temperatures below 5 degrees, which invigorates both body and mind. An unforgettable experience for all those seeking a new challenge.
Spectacular sunrises & sunsets by the water
When hundreds of peaks are reflected in the smooth water of a mountain lake, it is a truly special sight. It becomes even more beautiful when enjoyed at sunrise or sunset.
The Kaltwassersee at Rosshütte and the storage lake at Gschwandtkopf are two lakes that create unique photographic motifs: the impressive peaks of the iconic Hohe Munde, the Zugspitze, and many more are reflected in them. Especially in the evening light, photographers and seekers of special moments will find themselves in the right place.
From a reliable source:
Fresh wells in every place
In the past, they were the meeting point for all villagers, but today they are mainly frequented by cyclists: the fresh wells. In almost every town, they are located in the village center near the church and provide fresh, really good drinking water – something we Tyroleans can be a little proud of.
From then until now, an important place in the village, the wells are also usually beautifully designed. No matter which town you are in – stop by and refresh yourself on hot days at the cool spring!
Cool break in between
Real insider tips:
The Favorite Spots of the Locals
Finally, we have a few real secret spots in the region for you: we asked our locals where they most like to spend some time by the water. In doing so, we got ideas for unknown places that are not usually known:
Small Waterfall Reith:
"My favorite tip for a small family hike leads to Frau Häusl in Reith. The starting point is just after the Hotel Reitherhof, where you walk up for a few minutes until the last house. Then you go over a narrow root path along the Rosenkranzweg to the chapel of Frau Häusl. This is my very own power spot up there. Right behind the chapel is a small waterfall. In the "catch basin," the kids, but of course also the adults, can cool off."
Ramona H.
Bee Trail, Stream Bed with Ichthyol Stones:
"And here's a little insider tip from Reith: The stream bed by the sheep hut is beautifully suited for children. Right on the Bee Trail, you can find the sheep hut halfway along the path. Right in front of it is a huge stream bed where the kids can have fun. My kids also love to build their own "cooling pool" that you can sit in – the perfect refreshment on hot summer days with ice-cold spring water. Just a little further, there's another stream bed where you can often find Ichthyol stones. My kids enjoy searching for them and call them "stinky stones".
Ramona H.
Gaistal, Leutascher Ache:
"My recommendations in Leutasch: at the Kneipp facility Salzbach in Gaistal, there are very cozy wooden loungers. Before and after the hike, you can cool off and relax here. Further back in Gaistal, on the straight stretch just before the Gaistalalm, the riverbed of the Leutascher Ache becomes very wide - perfect for a break by the shore...!"
Tanja F.
Leutascher Ache:
"We have spent a lot of time with our children at the water in Unterleutasch: From the Hoher Sattel parking lot in Ahrn, one walks towards Achweg to Unterleutasch. After about 200 meters, you go left down to the Leutascher Ache, before reaching the nice little bridge. Here is a wonderful spot by the river for everyone. We spent entire afternoons here with the kids. We always had a picnic, the children splashed in the Ache or built structures with the many stones around. I can highly recommend this place!"
Angelika W.
Ried an der Isar:
"My absolute favorite place to relax and unwind. Along the Isar towards Mittenwald and Riedboden, there are many beautiful spots. Especially the section from the parking lot "Ried" to just before the Isar bridge has something very calming: sitting right by the water, dipping your feet into the coolness and simply letting the impressive vegetation of larches and pines have their effect."
Carina H.
The "Palm" by the Isar:
"The perfect spot for hot summer days to cool off and soak up the sun! From the Nature Park information center along the Isar towards Karwendel on Hinterautalstraße, you can find great riverbank spots without having to venture far into the Karwendel valleys. The "Palm," as locals call it, offers plenty of space to enjoy the sun by the rushing river."
Carina H.
Not enough yet?
Here’s more cooling in the Seefeld region
Always on the lookout for the best stories, the most beautiful photo motifs and the most delicious Kaiserschmarrn, Tessa loves to be out and about in the mountains. With touring skis or on the cross-country ski trail, with the mountain bike or racing bike, climbing vertically or simply on foot, you can meet her in the mountains, in the valley or on the alpine pasture.
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