Information about the Königsee (Kings´Lake)

The Königsee lies embedded between the mountains of the Berchtesgaden National Park, below the Famous Watzmann Mountain. Its sparkling Emerald Green water gives the Lake a distinctive flair that has astounded visitors year after year.

Approximately halfway across the lake stands the Pilgrim Church of St Bartholomew, Hunting Lodge of the Bavarian Kings and starting point for the various Mountain Tours, including the Watzmann East Wall Tour. Lake Königsee is one of the cleanest lakes in Germany and only row boats and the electric boats are permitted on the lake. Its unspoiled beauty and inaccessible position is thanks mainly to the steep rocky slopes of the Berchtesgaden Mountains. Due to its position, depth and Emerald Green colouring, the Königsee is regarded as one of Germanys most impressive lakes.

Because of its position between the steep rocky slopes, populaces and roads could not be built, leaving the water in the Lake free from human pollution. Since 1989 the waste water from St Bartholomew has been pumped through a drainage line to a Refining Centre in Berchtesgaden. In 1991 the Salletalm was also connected.

Königsee – Facts and Data

Surface Area: 5,218 Km³
Length: 6, 30 Km
Width: 1, 05 Km
Circumference: 19, 96 Km
Water Reflection: 603, 30 meters over NN
Max. Depth: 190, 00 Meters
Average Depth: 98, 10 m
Volume: 511.785.000, 00m³
Island: Christlieger (circa. 30 x 70m, Surface Area: 0,2 Hectare)

The Lake Königsee belongs to the very few Alpine Lakes that remain Ice Free in the winter time. Only during extremely cold winter months and severe cold temperatures does the Königsee completely freeze over.
In January 2006 the Königsee froze over and visitors were allowed to walk on the Lake. Take a look in our Picture Galleries.

Picture Gallery Walk on the Frozen Königsee.