Geroldsee: How to Visit & Photograph It
- Last Updated:
- By: Peter Orsel
Ever since I saw Geroldsee on Instagram, I had to find it and capture it myself. It reminds me of Alpe di Siusi in Italy. When I first found this place, barely anyone online had shared its exact location. Now it’s a well-known photo spot, so here’s how to get there, when to go, and how to get the best photos. This lake is called Wagenbrüchsee, in case that’s the name you searched for.
In This Post
Where is Geroldsee?
Geroldsee is in Bavaria, southern Germany, just a couple of kilometers outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a well-known winter sports town. Look closely at the map and you’ll notice how close you are to Austria: the Karwendel mountain range behind the lake is across the border.
How to get to Geroldsee?
By car
Trying to navigate to the lake? Take this exact spot. That’s where you park. The lake gained popularity with photographers and hikers over the years, so the local authorities introduced paid parking. The easiest way to pay is through the EasyPark, downloaded beforehand so you’re not struggling with setting it up at 5am. Payment goes all digitally through the app.
If you’re traveling from overseas, I’d recommend renting a car, not just for this location but to make the most of your time in southern Germany and Austria. The closest airport is Munich, about an hour away. Rentalcars offers a great variety of cars at multiple companies.
By Bus
If you don’t have a car, you can get to the lake by bus as well. Use Google Maps for the timetable. From Garmisch-Partenkirchen, take bus 328 or 329 and get off at Gerold.
The Three Lakes Hike: Geroldsee's most popular trail
There’s no better way to explore this region than on foot, and it’s better to do an actual hike than just walk straight to the lake. By far most people arriving at Geroldsee aren’t here for photography, they’re doing the Three Lakes Hike. According to Alpenwelt Karwendel, the official tourism board for the region, this is the most walked route connecting Barmsee, Geroldsee, and Grubsee.
The route
The hike starts at the Krün bus stop, easily reached by public transport. From there, you walk through meadows and a short forest stretch to Barmsee, a popular swimming lake. The trail continues along the shore, climbs briefly through the forest, and opens up into the flowering meadows around Gerold and Geroldsee. From there, a cycle path leads to Klais, followed by a forest stretch to Grubsee, a smaller swimming lake with a water slide.
The full loop is around 14.4 kilometers and takes up to 4 hours at a relaxed pace, with very little elevation gain. That keeps the hike easy and family-friendly, which explains why you’ll see so many casual walkers and families passing through Geroldsee.
Once you're at the lake
Stick to the marked footpath and stay off the meadows, they’re private property and protected all year round. Make sure you end up on the north side of the lake, that’s the best side for photos. Small paths lead up to the cabins from there. If you prefer to plan your own route instead of the Three Lakes Hike, follow Google Maps or Maps.me, and download offline maps in advance so you’re not stuck without coverage.
What's the best time to visit Geroldsee?
Geroldsee is beautiful at any time of day, but sunrise is when it’s at its best. I’ve visited twice: once around 5am in mid-June for sunrise, and once around midday on a drive to Italy.
The June sunrise visit is the one that stuck with me. I got lucky with thick fog, the lake was barely visible, but the drone photos turned out amazing, and I loved watching the Zugspitze turn orange in that early light. The midday visit had harsher light, but the atmosphere was still peaceful enough to make the short stop worth it.
Sunrise, or just a visit?
If you’re not into photography and just want to enjoy the place, go in the morning or late afternoon instead of sunrise. That leaves time for other activities, or for hiking around to find more spots.
How to find the best angles for photography
As a photographer, you always want to be creative. Look for unique angles that you haven’t seen before. I recently saw a photo around Geroldsee on Instagram, that I hadn’t seen before. It made me excited to go again and look for new angles as well.
What lens should i use?
Bring a variety of lenses. When I arrived at sunrise, I started with my drone in one hand and my 70-200mm in the other. The plan was to shoot a hyperlapse with the drone at sunrise, but I messed up the settings. The result still looks good, just not what I had in mind. While the drone worked on the hyperlapse, I switched to my Sony A7III with the 70-200mm to capture the Zugspitze catching the light. The conditions were incredible. Then I switched again to the 16-35mm F/2.8 GM for wider landscape shots.
Once my first drone battery ran out, the fog started clearing. I walked down toward the lake to get the classic shot, the cabins with the lake in front. As the sun hit the water, this is the result. My advice is always to chase to get back with shots you haven’t seen of this place, but it’s totally fine to take the classic shot as well.
Other activities in the area
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain paradise, so expect several mountain-based activities in the area. Eibsee (read my full guide) is another beautiful lake nearby, with striking water color and its own great sunrise conditions.
Partnachklamm is a gorge close by, where glacier water runs through a narrow rock passage. You can hike through it, just bring a jacket since you’ll get wet and it can get cold.
If you’re after something more active, mountain biking and the local toboggan runs are both worth a look. I cover both Eibsee and Partnachklamm, plus more lakes and castles in the region, in my guide to the best photo spots in South Germany.
Geroldsee: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Geroldsee the same as Wagenbrüchsee?
Yes. Wagenbrüchsee is the older, local name for the same lake. Both names lead to the same spot on the map.
Can you swim in Geroldsee?
Yes, wild swimming is allowed and popular in summer. The water is cool year-round as the water is snow-melted, so it will be refreshing for sure.
Can I get to Geroldsee without a car?
Yes. Take bus 328 or 329 from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and get off at Gerold, or start the Three Lakes Hike from the Krün bus stop.
What's the best month to visit Geroldsee?
For photography, aim for a clear or foggy sunrise between May and September. For the flowering meadows, visit in April or May. For swimming, come between June and August. For hiking, the trail is walkable from May until October.
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About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.
6 Responses
wonderful!!
in which month did you travel to Geroldsee?
Thank you! All photos in the blog are taken on a sunrise morning in June. Have to say that I got lucky with the fog conditions. 🙂
Prachtige foto’s Peter. Ik mag een week logeren bij Geroldsee en kijk er erg naar uit.
Dankjewel! Mooi vooruitzicht, veel plezier! En kijk ook eens naar mijn andere blog waar ik informatie geef over meer fotolocaties in Zuid Duitsland! 🙂
Hello
Is there a way to pay the parking without application ?
thanks for sharing
Hi David, I’m not so sure but I don’t think so. As I can remember there’s no way to pay with cash or card. Have fun on your trip!