The small mountain lake Wildensee lies at an elevation of 1,136 metres northwest of Mittenwald, facing the Karwendel Mountains. The approach passes through green alpine meadows and mountain forests. From the nearby Wildensee mountain inn, the view stretches across the Wetterstein, Karwendel and Estergebirge mountain ranges. The trail and mountain views are therefore found at different points on the outing: meadows and forests shape the approach, while the mountain inn offers views of the ranges.
Hike to the Lake and Other Routes
The easy hike from the ski area car park at Luttensee covers 2.1 kilometres to Wildensee, takes about 45 minutes and climbs 145 metres. At the destination, there is a large children’s playground, a raft and somewhere to stop for refreshments. When planning your outing, allow for the roughly 45 minutes of walking separately from the time you’ll spend at the destination.
The Kranzberg panoramic loop follows a hiking trail to the Wildensee mountain inn. From the “Luttensee” car park, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the inn on foot. This is a different destination from the lake itself, which is a 45-minute hike away: the walking times refer to different destinations. A winter hike to Wildensee starts at the valley station of the Kranzberg chairlift and passes through the Kranzberg ski area.
Getting There and Returning
Day visitors can use the hiking car park at Luttensee or the car park at the chairlift valley station. The Wildensee mountain inn can be reached on foot or by bike from Gries, a district of Mittenwald. This gives you a choice of parking or walking or cycling from Gries; choose your starting point to suit your planned journey. After a winter hike to Wildensee, you can take the ski and guest bus from the valley station of the Luttensee lifts back down into the valley. Bus service details may vary by season; check the timetable before your outing.
The Lake, Cycling Route and History
Wildensee is one of the warmest swimming lakes in the area and is about two metres deep at its deepest point. There is also a real raft on the lake. The Kranzberg ski area is right next to Wildensee. The mountain biking tour on Hoher Kranzberg passes through the Rossgraben to the lake. The winter hike runs through the ski area, while the mountain biking tour goes through the Rossgraben: this is another way the two routes differ.
A small chapel dedicated to Mary stands right next to Wildensee. Anton Tiefenbrunner had it built in 1960 in gratitude for his safe return from the Second World War. In 1933, the hut above the lake was known as the “Goaßoim” (goat pasture). Hanni and Anda Tiefenbrunner served the first beers at the Wildenseehütte in 1951.
Discover more destinations: Wiesthal, Karbach, Stockstadt Am Main, Retzstadt, NeuhĂĽtten, HeigenbrĂĽcken, Lohr am Main, Weibersbrunn
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