4. Königsee

The lake is 8km long, 1.2km wide, and up to 190m deep. It lies 602m above sea level and it dates back to the Ice Age.

The Kings Lake (Konigssee) is the deepest lake in Germany and also the cleanest, due to the fact that since 1909 most boats on the lake are powered by electricity, which helps keep the tranquility of the area and the clarity of the water. It claims to have drinking water quality.

The waters colour is due to the minerals in the rock, limestone, calcium chloride and gypsum.

Berchtesgaden was ceded to Bavaria from Austria in 1810, and the area around the lake has been part of the Berchtesgaden National Park since 1978.

The Lake was formerly known as Bartholomew Lake from one of its famous landmarks.
The small red-domed Church of St Bartholomew can be seen by walking to the viewpoint after the Cafe Mahlerwinkl. It was recorded as early as 1134 and was given its famous red dome top in 1697.
In 1902 it was the Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold’s private chapel and after WW I it became the property of the state. It is often seen on guide books and postcards from King's Lake.
Just off shore is the only island on the lake with a statue of St Nepomuk, who is the Patron Saint of boatmen and fishermen.

From the lakeside you can see the bobsled / luge run, built in 1968 to try to win Berchtesgaden the Winter Olympics. It was the first artificially frozen ice track in the world. The run is 1300m long and is often the host to important international events.

The lake is surrounded by mountains; at the back of the lake lie the Sea of Stone Mountains, which, lead to Saalfelden on the other side. Also visible are the Jenner and the Watzmann peaks. The Watzmann (2713m) is classed as the 2nd highest mountain of Germany but it is actually the highest that is totally on German soil, as the Zugspitze is partly on Austrian soil.