Bavaria is home to numerous beautiful swimming lakes, both natural and man-made, some with islands and some without. There’s certainly no shortage of variety, as each body of water offers something different. You’ll witness a truly unique phenomenon at Riegsee, where the “floating islands” can be seen time and again. Even if no island is drifting across the surface at the moment, a trip to the “Blue Country” for a swim is well worth it.
The floating islands
Unlike the nearby Staffelsee near Murnau, Riegsee does not have a separate landmass serving as an island within the lake. However , there are areas of siltation along the shore that form what is known as a “floating mat.” This mat consists of a carpet of plants and wood on the water’s surface, which is only loosely attached to the lake bottom and can break loose in strong winds. In 2009, an area measuring 2,000 m² and weighing 4,000 metric tons broke loose in this manner and drifted across Lake Riegsee as a large island.
If the islands are too large, they must be anchored, though it often happens that additional sections of the mat break away and float on the water again. It’s fascinating to watch the floating islands, but you should never step on them. They aren’t stable enough to support your weight, and you could sink into the swaying grass. There are plenty of other wonderful things to do at Riegsee.
Activities at Riegsee
Much of the shoreline around Riegsee, similar to that of Wörthsee, is privately owned and not accessible to the public. Nevertheless, there are a few swimming spots, for example on the south shore, between the town of Riegsee and Froschhauser See. In the summer, the water reaches temperatures of up to 25°C, making the lake one of the warmest in all of Bavaria. Only the Steinsee gets even warmer. You can also take a rowboat out on the water or go fishing.
The shore of Lake Riegsee is also a protected landscape area, as it’s home to numerous birds and other wildlife. You can explore it on foot or by bike, enjoying not only the view across the lake but also the mountain panorama. If you’re looking for a place to stop for a bite to eat with a lake view afterward , we recommend the Seestube in Riegsee, with its lovely beer garden —the perfect way to end the day.
