Spitzingsee

Arguably the most beautiful of this group of Bavarian lakes, the Spitzingsee is cradled 3,500 feet up between the Taubenstein, Rosskopf, and Stumpfling peaks, and the drive here is spectacular. The lake is usually frozen over in winter and almost buried in snow. In summer it's warm enough for a swim. Walking in this area is breathtaking in every season. The skiing is very good, too. The only downside is the town itself; its modern architecture violates almost every rule of aesthetics.