weekend_celebrations

This may not be a "fair" question but I would appreciate to hear your thoughts. We are road tripping from Munich to Ettal, Germany and I am trying to build the route to stop and take in the Alpine lake scenery. I am deciding whether we should stop at Chiemsee (and take a boat to either or both of the 2 islands) or stop at lake Walchensee. If we choose Chiemsee (because there is also a Palace and a village)- does it make sense to then stop at Walchensee or the scenery would be similar to Chiemsee? Thank you.

asps

Walchensee is a typical alpine lake in the middle of mountains. Chiemsee is in a flatter area, with only low hills and mountains are a distant background. The visit of the Herrenchiemsee castle is very interesting - not less important than visiting Neuschwanstein.

Said this, I do not understand your question. You can visit Walchensee on your road between Munich to Ettal, but Chiemsee is in a completely different direction.

weekend_celebrations

asps, your response is helpful. I am going to be on a family road trip and after our stay in Munich- our next overnight is in Ettal for a few days. I can take any route I want and while Chiemsee is not exactly on the way, we can sightsee after Munich and then continue on to Ettal. I may not have time for both stops so if I wanted Alpine lake scenery I thought I'd ask if there are similar. I understand from your response that they are not which makes my planning a bit more difficult (there is SO much to see)
thank you

northie

I visited Chiemsee some years ago - went by train from Munich and really enjoyed the walk to the ferry , the trip by boat to the castle and the tour of the castle.

traveller1959

Chiemsee has no Alpine scenery. The main point of driving to the Chiemsee is visiting the gorgeous palace "Herrenchiemsee" on the island with the same name (by ferry from Prien). It will consume half a day but it is worth it. But no Alpine scenery.

http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisch/tourist/index.htm

The Walchensee is much smaller and more scenic. First, you drive to the lower Kochelsee which is exactly at the transition from low country to the mountains, then you drive up a winding road and after a few minutes your are at the Walchensee which is a true mountain lake. It does not take too much time just to see both lakes - if you are in a hurry it can be done in an hour. Of course, you can spend more time if you do a boat trip or visit a museum.

http://www.walchensee.de/export/download.php?id=3896

Dukey1

I agree with the others regarding the lake at Chiemsee...it is not what I would call "alpine." The palace is the largest of the four Ludwig "builds" and is the most elaborately decorated inside.

weekend_celebrations

Thank you Duckey1, traveler1959 and northie - this is very helpful for my trip planning

weekend_celebrations

traveller1959 I just have to ask- just how winding is the winding road leading to the Walchensee?

Watzmann

Great views of Walchensee and the surrounding Mountains including Zugspitze from adjacent mountain Herzogstand. Cable car leaves from Walchensee.

http://www.herzogstandbahn.de/index.php?id=0,114