Summer can come, because we certainly don’t lack for wonderful swimming lakes in and around Munich. Lake Starnberg, in particular, is a real magnet for day-trippers seeking relief from the heat on hot days. As a result, it gets very crowded very quickly. If you want to enjoy swimming without the crowds, you should head out of the city toward Dachau and visit Lake Waldschwaig. Here you can relax and unwind without having to compete with other guests for the best spots.
Goose Island on the lake
Waldschwaigsee is located in the Dachauer Moos between Karlsfeld and Dachau and was created as a result of the Summer Olympics in Munich. In 1971, gravel was excavated here to build the B471 road to the rowing course in Oberschleißheim. This quarry eventually became today’s quarry pond. The island, in turn, consists of rootstocks as well as layers of clay and humus that were a hindrance during gravel extraction and were piled up.
The pile eventually solidified into an island that has been a protected landscape since 1975. Wild geese call the 3,500 m² area home, where they breed and raise their young. The island lends the lake a particularly romantic flair, even though you’re not allowed to set foot on it.
A day trip to Waldschwaigsee
Since Karlsfelder See is right nearby, Waldschwaigsee isn’t overcrowded even on warm summer days. It’s especially quiet here during the week, so you can really unwind. You can’t actually step onto Gänseinsel, but there’s a small wooden swimming platform in the lake where you can settle in instead. Similar to Lußsee, the water is of excellent quality, though a bit colder.
Waldschwaigsee is up to 14.6 meters deep, which means it warms up only slowly. On hot days, it offers the perfect way to cool off. If you get hungry or just crave a delicious ice cream or a cold drink, there’s also a kiosk on site with beer tables and chairs.
