Easy Hike to Shiny Gerold Lake in the Bavarian Alps

Edgar Allan Poe wrote long ago, “So lovely was the loneliness of a wild lake.” Here at Mountain Moments, with all the beautiful, small, localized patches of water we have seen over the years, we can’t and won’t argue with this famous American poet. On this particular hiking route in the Bavarian Alps, these words will be proven multiple times, so check out our hiking map and join us on this backpacking nature thrill-hike.

Between Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen rests an inconspicuously situated, small lake: Lake Gerold (Geroldsee). If you didn’t know that nature (and some farmers) have created a particularly well-formed idyll here, you would probably just drive by briskly.

At this point, a few meters above Lake Gerold, the clichés of the Northern Alps come together: a wonderful hilly alpine meadow, old hay barns, and an idyllic lake. In the background, the massive Karwendel Mountains giants border the picture.

*An easy hike at Lake Gerold (Geroldsee). Just come here and feel the beuaty of nature.*

With a bit of luck – or good planning – you might have a chance to see the famous Alpen Glow at Karwendel Mountain range at this hike. Get on a photo tour with as and learn from our guides how to capture this light spectacle.

Directions – this is how your Geroldsee-driven trip looks like on a map

The walk starts at the parking lot/bus stop of Barmsee (892m). Walk along the parking lot in an easterly direction and immediately keep to the left. From here you walk around the Barm (Barmsee) – on the northern shore there is a nice lawn for sunbathing.

At a small stream turn right towards Gerold (927m). After a few hundred meters slightly uphill you will see Lake Gerold. Afterward, you can go once around Lake Gerold or the same way back to Lake Barm.

At the Barm keep to the right until you reach the Grubsee (Lake Grub). Here finally a few hundred meters back to the Alpengasth of Barm.

*The starting point is 200 meters further in the direction of the B2 federal road. This 10km hiking route is considered easy and is ideal for beginners and families*

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – Lake Gerold and Lake Barm

Especially at sunrise and sunset, the whitish limestone shines particularly brightly and forms a colorful and emotional anchor point. On the other hand, lakes give you sights like this — *An alternative next to lake Gerold: Lake Kochel*

The most popular photo spot is a bit north of the sunbathing lawn at Lake Gerold near the hay cabins. (Attention: private area!)

Lake Gerold and Lake Barm are freely accessible, but at Lake Grub there is a paid bathing possibility. — *Especially at sunrise and sunset, the whitish limestone shines particularly brightly and forms a colorful and emotional anchor point. On the other hand, lakes give you sights like these*, *so it’s important to be p hotographically fine-tuned*.
*Lake Gerold and Lake Barm are freely accessible, but at Lake Grub there is a paid bathing possibility*

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

Enjoy this stroll around Lake Gerold and Lake Barm near Garmisch Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps.

More information about your adventure in the Bavarian Alps

How to get there by public transport: From Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Mittenwald by train to the Klais stop (here you can walk directly to Lake Grub), alternatively by bus from Mittenwald/Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Lake Barm stop.

How to get there by car: From Innsbruck/Garmisch-Partenkirchen on B2. There are several parking spaces available at Lake Barmsee, Klais, Lake Gerold partly directly next to the road.

Start/finish: Krün-Lake Barmsee parking lot/bus stop. 47.496671,11.258674

Distance: 10km

Duration: 3h

Ascent/descent: 160m/160m

Highest point/lowest point: 960m/885m

Hike difficulty level: easy

Special features:

Catering: Geroldsee, Alpengasth of Barmsee, Tennsee campground.

Further tips: Very easy to reach by public transport, esp. recommended on weekends. (Alternative accommodation is available at Tennsee campground).

Contact: www.alpenwelt-karwendel.de

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information. ie schönsten Orte und Fotogelegenheiten in den Bergen zusammengefasst. 30 Wanderungen mit 95 Fotospots sind so ausgewählt und beschrieben, dass auch du diese wunderbaren Landschaften selbst erleben kannst – inkl. GPS Tracks und Wanderkarte und allen weiteren Infos.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here– – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and photograph these places with!

Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.

Ina