The Heiterwanger See is connected to the Plansee by a 300-metre-long canal. For planning purposes, however, it is worth treating activities at the Heiterwanger See and the circular hike around the Plansee as separate highlights. This lets you fit time by the water, a walk on the signposted circular trail and a cultural detour to the parish church into your stay.
Lake and hiking
At the Heiterwanger See, you can go rowing, surfing, swimming, diving and fishing. Conditions can vary by season, so which of these activities are suitable for your visit also depends on the time of year. A signposted circular trail around the lake starts at the SeestraĂźe car park. If you are planning a walk, this gives you a specific starting point for finding your way.
Another hiking option is the circular hike around the Plansee in the Heiterwang area. It is rated moderately difficult, is 14.6 kilometres long and has a stated duration of 3:30 hours. The route runs either directly along the lakeshore or on a panoramic trail around the lake. Before setting off, you can therefore take into account both the stated time required and the type of route you prefer. Conditions on the trail can vary depending on the season.
Getting here by train
Heiterwang station is a stop on services between Reutte and Vils, as well as between Bichlbach, Lermoos, Ehrwald, Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany and Innsbruck. There is no ticket counter at the station; tickets are available on the train. From the station, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Heiterwanger See excursion destination. If you are planning to visit the lake by train, you can factor in this approximate walking time. As train services may change, it is worth checking the current timetable before travelling.
Winter options
The ski area at Karlift is small and suitable for beginners and families. It is a seasonal offering; check operating status and dates separately if you are planning your stay around it. The A15 Moosloipe is a flat cross-country ski trail that follows the canal towards the Heiterwanger See. The two options are clearly different: a ski area at Karlift or a flat trail heading towards the lake.
Parish church and listed monument area
The protected monument area in Heiterwang includes the parish church of the Assumption of Our Lady, the cemetery and war memorials for the First and Second World Wars. The area is listed in the Federal Monuments Office’s 2025 monument register. In the parish church of the Assumption of Mary, frescoes by Josef Anton Walch of Kaufbeuren date from 1750; there is also Rococo stucco by Josef Fischer of Füssen. The frescoes and stucco represent two different forms of historic decoration: painted images and sculpted ornamentation. Together with the war memorials, the monument area brings sacred art and places of remembrance together.
A tasting in the vaulted cellar
The restaurant by the lake offers cheese and wine tastings in a nearly 100-year-old vaulted wine cellar at the hotel. If you plan to make a tasting a fixed part of your itinerary, ask about availability beforehand, as the offering may change.
Discover more destinations: Haldensee, Schattwald, Stockach/Bach, Mitteregg, Ehenbichl, Stanzach, Elbigenalp, Biberwier
Return to the main travel overview: Reutte.
