Bavaria – Lakes, Roads & Strength Training
A region where alpine lakes, quiet cycling routes, and accessible fitness centers meet endurance travel.
🏊 Open Water Swimming
Bavaria’s lakes offer calm conditions, clear visibility, and defined entry points — ideal for early sessions.
In particular, there are three amazing lakes that every swimmer should visit.
Lake Kochelsee
Surrounded by mountains, offers 5.9 km² of sheer beauty and is perfect and safe for swimming, especially at the Anlegestelle Franz Marc Museum.
Lake Walchensee
One of the largest alpine lakes. With a depth of 189.5 metres and an area of 16.4 km², it provides crystal-clear water perfect for all-level swimmers. For the safest swim possible, park next to the Badewiese - there are benches to chill, free parking space, and a safe entrance to the water.
Lake Eibsee
It stands out as one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, notable for its location below the Zugspitze and its clear, green-tinted water. Travel Hack: You can park your car at the Eibsee Lake parking lot for only €3.50 until 9 AM; after that, the price rises to €9 for the first 4 hours, then it increases.
Short swimming moments from Bavaria are shared on Instagram.
🏃Running trails
The Bavarian Alps in Germany are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with over 83 hiking trails in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area alone, offering seemingly endless options for hikers or trail runners.
🚴Cyling
For cyclists, many cycling paths run alongside the main roads, ensuring a safe environment.
How to get there:
Short cycling moments from Bavaria are shared on Instagram.
🤸🏋️Fitness centers
Should inclement weather arise, shift indoors to Isarena Sportpark UG, located on the south side of the town of Mittenwald, and enjoy a top-notch facility for calisthenics, crossfit, tennis, weight-lifting, and cardio workout. A day pass costs 15 euros, yet a week pass costs 28 euros, making it worthwhile.
🛌 Accommodation tip
Garmisch-Partenkirchen uniquely combines American and German influences, thanks to a United States military installation in the center of town, making it an accessible recreational area for English speakers. The town provides many hotels and Airbnb options. A great value option in Garmisch is the Gästehaus Buchwieser GbR, a family-oriented inn that felt reminiscent of the "Gilmore Girls" style.
Another option, perhaps a little cheaper, is staying in Farchant, a smaller town nearby. I stayed at the Hotel Föhrenhof, beautiful place, yet it doesn’t serve breakfast.