Königssee is Germany's deepest lake and, many would argue, its most beautiful. It occupies a glacial valley 5km south of Berchtesgaden, walled in on both sides by cliffs rising over 1,000 metres — the Watzmann's east face drops almost vertically into the water on the western shore. The lake is a vivid jade-green, strikingly clean, and officially protected since 1909, when all combustion engines were banned. The only way onto the water is by electric boat.
Boats depart from Schönau am Königssee at the northern end. The main journey takes 35 minutes to the first stop at St Bartholomä, a Baroque chapel on a small peninsula that is one of the most photographed buildings in Bavaria. Continuing boats run further south to Obersee, a quieter upper lake beyond a 20-minute walk through a gorge. The round trip to St Bartholomä takes about 2 hours; to Obersee, 4–5 hours. Boats run year-round though less frequently in winter.