The Tegernsee in Upper Bavaria is not only a Mecca for active vacationers, but also a celebrity hotspot. Therefore a trip is worthwhile.
Tegernsee is located almost 50 kilometers south of Munich. But not only crystal clear water awaits holidaymakers in Upper Bavaria, but also numerous hiking and cycling trails, a unique mountain panorama and rustic inns. No wonder that celebrities à la Caro Daur (25) or Manuel Neuer (34) have long since noticed the charming region.
The five places on the Tegernsee
In the middle of the Bavarian Prealps, in the Miesbach district, is the Tegernsee. The Tegernsee was formed around 20,000 years ago towards the end of the last great ice age and is one of the cleanest lakes in Bavaria. A total of five places have shares on the lakeshore: Tegernsee, Gmund am Tegernsee, Rottach-Egern, Kreuth and Bad Wiessee. The banks are almost entirely accessible to the public. The many tributaries and the strong outflow through the Mangfall ensure regular water exchange. The Tegernsee offers a habitat for many animal and plant species in and around the water. Even beavers are at home there.
A king brought tourism
A single visit made a tourist boom in the 19th century. The Bavarian King Maximilian I Joseph (1756-1825) and his wife Karoline von Baden (1776-1841) came to Tegernsee in the summer of 1815 at the invitation of Karl Joseph Freiherrn von Drechsel (1778-1838). The royal couple fell in love with the region, which is why the king bought the former Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee and converted it into his summer residence.
The place became a popular health resort and attracted artists as well as prominent guests, such as the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916). Tourism took on a new dimension when the first steam train ran from Munich to the Tegernsee valley in 1883. Today the region is a popular excursion destination for Munich residents.
Tegernsee: A dream for active vacationers
A visit to the Tegernsee is worthwhile both in summer and in winter. Water sports enthusiasts get their money's worth in summer. The water temperature is a pleasant 20 degrees. There are many sailing and surfing schools in Gmund am Tegernsee or Bad Wiessee. Stand-up paddlers have also discovered the lake for themselves. Beach baths invite you to sunbathe and relax: Tegernsee, Seeglas, Ringsee and Grieblinger offer sunbathing lawns, jetties and restaurants.
If you don't just want to lie on the lazy skin, you can immerse yourself in the Tegernsee mountains. Whether it's summit moments on the Wallberg or a leisurely tour to the Siebenhütte – there is the right route for every taste. A highlight is the almost 33 kilometer long panorama hiking trail. This leads once around the Tegernsee and offers a unique view of the mountains of the foothills of the Alps. If you are in good shape, the tour can be completed in around nine hours. The many restaurants that hikers pass along the way are ideal for a break.
In winter, the region attracts with the Spitzingsee-Tegernsee ski area. Winter sports enthusiasts from Rottach-Egern can reach this in ten minutes. A free shuttle bus brings vacationers there comfortably. Beginners and professionals can let off steam on almost 20 kilometers of slopes. Tourers are also welcome. Those who prefer to go tobogganing should try the almost six kilometer long natural toboggan run on Wallberg. After an exhausting day in the mountains, a wellness day is just the thing. Many hotels on Lake Tegernsee have now specialized in this and offer massages, pool areas and saunas with a view of the lake.
Bavarian pub culture at Tegernsee
Guests at the Bräustüberl Tegernsee experience Bavarian inn culture in its purest form. The "Tegernseer Hell" beer brewed there has long been known beyond the borders of the district. The brewery is located in the former monastery and dates back to 1675, when Abbot Bernhard Wenzel brought the brewing rights to Tegernsee. When King Maximilian I Joseph acquired the Benedictine monastery and brewery, it was given the name "Royal Brown Brewery Tegernsee". The name was later changed to "Herzoglich Bavarian Brewery". The Bräustüberl is still owned by the royal family to this day.
The brewery is run by Duchess Maria Anna in Bavaria, daughter of Max Emanuel Herzog in Bavaria (83). In terms of culinary delights, the Bräustüberl has everything that characterizes traditional Bavarian cuisine: Obazda, pork knuckles or white sausages are on the menu. In summer, the beer garden is particularly popular with day trippers. Due to the Corona crisis, however, the seats were significantly reduced in order to comply with the distance rules. Instead of 760 people, only 300 can sit in the beer garden.
Celebrities under the Bavarian sun
Some celebrities also know that the Tegernsee is one of the most beautiful corners in Germany. Many well-known personalities have made the Bavarian lake their home. The former Federal Chancellor Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977) or the photographer Gunter Sachs (1932-2011) were drawn to the picturesque lake. Today you can mainly find football stars there, such as the former FC Bayern President Uli Hoeneß (68), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (34) and the former national player Philipp Lahm (36). The actor Fritz Wepper (79) lives in Gmund am Tegernsee.
Some stars travel to the Miesbach district for a short trip. Singer Lena Meyer-Landrut (29) climbed Wallberg in October last year. The 29-year-old posted a photo on Instagram that shows her with a hoodie and sunglasses in the Mangfall Mountains.
Only recently, influencer Caro Daur (25) took a break at Tegernsee. She also hiked to the Wallberg, where wheat beer and Kaiserschmarrn were waiting for the Hamburg native. Even Victoria Beckham (46) has already been to Tegernsee. The wife of David Beckham (45) was a guest in a luxury resort and was pampered there, as she presented on Instagram.