Lake Funtensee in Steinernes Meer

A famous mountain lake in Berchtesgaden National Park

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im Steinernen Meer

Lake Funtensee is famous for being the coldest place in Germany. But don't let that put you off! Nestled in the stunning alpine landscape of Steinernes Meer, this beautiful mountain lake is a delightful hiking destination in summer. Kärlingerhaus mountain hut sits just above the lakeshore.

Located in Steinernes Meer, a high-altitude limestone plateau between Lake Königssee and the Hochkönig massif, Lake Funtensee lies at an elevation of 1,633 meters. The lake covers approximately 2.5 hectares and reaches a maximum depth of 5.3 meters.

Although there is no visible outlet on the surface, you can hear the water draining underground through a natural opening known as Teufelsloch (Devil's Hole).

Lake Funtensee is renowned as Germany's coldest place, but you'd never guess it during the summer months. You can even take a refreshing dip in the lake!

Funtensee: Germany’s coldest place?

Funtensee gained national fame for holding Germany’s coldest temperature record. Due to its unique geological location in a basin, temperatures here can sometimes reach extremes during the winter months: On Christmas Day 2001, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Germany—minus 45.9 degrees Celsius—was measured here.

Of course, these freezing winter temperatures don’t extend to the villages in the valley! Even at Kärlingerhaus, located just a few meters higher, it’s up to 20 degrees warmer. Quite astonishing: At Funtensee, the tree line extends downward, not upward. With every meter toward the lake, the trees get smaller. Down at Funtensee, there’s practically no vegetation left.

Impressions

Alpine farming and gentian distilling at Lake Funtensee

Until the 1960s, the area around Lake Funtensee was still used for alpine farming. The Kaser (alpine pasture hut) by the lake stands as a testament to this even today. The other hut by the lake is the gentian distillery hut of Enzianbrennerei Grassl, the gentian distillery. This is where the prized Funtensee gentian schnapps is produced—a spirit distilled exclusively from the roots of the gentian that grows here, which are dug up by hand and processed on site.

The Almer pilgrimage across Steinernes Meer

On the last weekend in August, Lake Funtensee becomes part of the Almer pilgrimage, Europe's oldest high-alpine pilgrimage. Up to 3,000 pilgrims make their way from Maria Alm am Hochkönig across the Steinerne Meer to Lake Königssee.

Kärlingerhaus and Lake Funtensee mark the final rest stop before the pilgrims descend through the Saugasse toward Lake Königssee. Their destination is the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä on the Hirschau Peninsula, where they celebrate the church's annual dedication festival.

Hiking to Lake Funtensee and Kärlingerhaus

The quickest route to Lake Funtensee starts at St. Bartholomä on Lake Königssee and climbs through the steep Saugasse to Kärlingerhaus. Another challenging route leads through the Wimbachgries valley and over Trischübel Pass to the lake.

Alternatively, you can hike across the Steinernes Meer or follow the Sagerecksteig from Salet to Lake Funtensee.

Der Funtensee im Steinernen Meer83471 im Steinernen Meer

Kärlingerhaus at Lake Funtensee
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