Most Munich residents cool off on sunny days with a dip in the Isar or drive to one of the many lakes in the surrounding area. However, very few have likely ever taken a dip under a waterfall. This image probably makes you think of the tropics or the Caribbean and immediately brings a fitting movie scene to mind. But you don’t have to fly off on vacation—you can simply take a trip to Lake Kochel. From there, you can reach the Lainbach Falls, where you can float in the pool below.
Educational hike
You can reach the Lainbachfall from Kochel via a roughly 7-kilometer-long loop trail. You start from the town center along Alte Straße to the Tiroler Kreuz viewpoint. Here, you should pause for a moment and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake and the mountains. You’ll enter the forest and reach the bird nature trail, where you’ll learn more about local bird species at 14 stations. Along the way, there are information boards with QR codes, nesting boxes, and sound tubes that let you hear bird calls. The trail is both entertaining and exciting for both children and adults. The path follows the Lainbach or Laingraben, which leads you directly to the waterfall.
Swimming under the Lainbachfall
At the end of the Laingraben, you’ll reach the Lainbachfall, where the stream is particularly deep. A unique microclimate forms here, promising a refreshing cool-down. If that’s not enough for you, you can also take a dip here. The water is crystal-clear and not too cold, so you’ll truly feel like you’re in a movie. Don’t miss out on this destination in the Zweiseenland.
When you’ve had enough, follow the loop trail back to Kochel. You’ll leave the forest behind and find yourself facing the expansive alpine meadows, which bloom in vibrant colors in the spring. From the Kohlleite viewpoint, you should pause once more to admire the landscape at your feet. Then you’ll finally return to Kochel, from where you can take the train back to Munich in an hour. And if one Lainbachfall isn’t enough for you, visit the other one with the same name near Mittenwald.
