Geroldsee (also known as Wagenbrüchsee) is for sure one of the most iconic landscape photography locations in southern Germany. In this post, I’ll explain how to get to this hidden idyllic gem of a lake and give some other good old piece of advice for visiting and photographing it.
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Table of Contents
Getting there
As usual – how to get there? In fact, it is quite easy. Your base camp will most likely be Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Ga-Pa). This city is with its 27 thousand inhabitants the touristic and commercial center of the area and is easily reachable by train or car from Munich (about 1.5 hours). Sadly, the road between Munich and Ga-Pa can get really busy and traffic jams are nothing unusual (that is the case for the entire area). You can also rent a car directly in Ga-Pa to save you some stress.
By car
Once you’re in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the way to Geroldsee is not at all difficult. By car, you’ll be there in about 10-15 minutes (simply bash “Gerold”, the small nearby village into your SatNav). I didn’t find any dedicated parking area in the village. However, you may park on the side of the main street, see the little map below. Just park neatly, big buses are driving through Gerold.
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This is a map of the area – village Gerold where you can park and a short walk to the photo spots above the village. Take the 3-lake tour going to Barmsee and Grubsee, too! (click on the image for full resolution!)
By bus / train
You can even get to Geroldsee by train (the first train leaves Ga-Pa at around 6 a.m. and stops in Klais – 35 min walk from the lake) or by bus nr. 9608, which even stops in Gerold. Just check out this website, where you can find the timetable and purchase your tickets.
Hike
Yes, for the most adventurous souls among us – there is also a hiking trail between Ga-Pa and Geroldsee (ca. 12 km, 3-4 hours one way).
Photographing Geroldsee
Right, back to business – photographing the lake. The destination is pretty known among photographer for spectacular sunrises (I wasn’t that lucky but you might be!). Located in a valley with alpine cabins scattered all over the hill leading to the lake, you get a very idyllic scenery. Since there are lush forests around and the lake itself, there is morning mist rolling through the valley almost with certainty (a bit like in the Castle Eltz area).
So once you arrive for the sunrise (try to be there at least 30 minutes before sunrise to find your composition), simply walk up direction alpine cabins. If you’re lucky, the grass on the meadow will be mowed and you can get very high, almost to the forest, where the views are best. If you’re not that lucky (my case, you guessed right :D), the undergrowth can be as high as 1 meter (3 feet) and very wet. Not recommended.
From a photography perspective, Geroldsee loses the magic a bit during the day. Still very worth for hiking, though! If you do an afternoon tour (you can do a 3-lake tour leading you around nearby Barmsee and Grubsee, ca 1-2 hours), you might want to get to the spot described above and stay for the sunset. If you’re lucky, you’ll get nicely lit red-ish clouds all over the place (the sun will be setting behind you).
Setting your camera
That will depend on the weather conditions and the time of the day. If you’re all about using filters, a gradient filter might be useful for sunrise, since your shooting almost against the sun. For the photos of the valley here, I used the dynamic range of my camera.
What is dynamic range?
Explore the area
My last tip for photographing Geroldsee – don’t get too distracted by the obvious! Yes, the valley scenery is beautiful but look around as well! The fog rolling through the forest on the opposite side of the valley immediately caught my attention and led to this dreamy minimalistic image below. It was there for only about 10 minutes and then it was gone. Having a long lens with you is, therefore, a great idea.
After the sunrise, I explored the area a bit more and found this beautifully symmetrical composition. I would definitely recommend doing the 3-lake hike (Geroldsee, Barmsee, Grubsee) for more location scouting in the area!
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Ga-Pa is certainly not a cheap place. If you want something fancy and with flair, you have arrived to a great destination, though. If you’re like me on a tight budget, you’ll want to consider Hostel der Athleten. Don’t worry, I’m still a passionate hostel-hater but this one was quite OK (not as spectacular as my hostels in Iceland) and the price unbeatable. It is located right next to the ski jumping area in southern part of the town.
What else to visit when around
Oh, there are tons of other places to see besides Geroldsee! Eibsee is very close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Sylvensteinsee with its beautiful curvy bridge 40 minutes drive away. You can hike to Partnachklamm (Partnach Gorge), or to the idyllic village of Wamberg, or generally enjoy a loooot of hiking in the area. And of course Garmisch-Partenkirchen itself!
Oh my word your photography is stunning. Ive subscribed and will read your ebook but I know there is no way Ill ever be able to take photos like that .. a pleasure reading
Thank you so much! 🙂 But no worry, everyone can improve!! 🙂
I love the mood of your photos! It feels like it is out of the Grimm Fairy Tales or something 🙂 perfect for the location! Looking forward to seeing more of your work
https://mcadventureblog.com/
Hey Chris, thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to visit the southern parts of Germany for years. Looks like a beautiful region for photography! This is a really helpful guide, thank you for sharing.
Yeah, it’s great down there, very mountain-ey 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Alex!
These are great photos! We always look for posts on photo spots when we travel, so thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, thanks! 🙂
Wow really great photos and the landscape is amazing! Thank you for the photography tips!
I will definitely read your e-book! 🙂
Thank you! Let me know if you like it! 🙂
Wow these are some really amazing pictures. One look at your post and I was ready to subscribe to get your free eBook. Never heard of Geroldsee. But it looks like a great place to visit.
Thank you so much! There are many places to visit in southern Germany! 🙂
These photos are incredible, love the mood of them! Germany is such a beautiful place!
Thank you tons! 🙂
What great photos and an excellent resource to photography. I really need to up my photography game!
Thank you! Let’s never stop learning and improving! 🙂
The most on those hills in the first picture is amazing! It is very moody and serene looking.
Thank you for stopping by! It was a very misty morning! 🙂
Oh lovely, there landscape look so familiar. There are many similarities with Scandinavia. I prefer this kind of nature, rather tnen south.
Yes, just no bears 😀 And there is always civilization around the corner in Germany. 🙂
Wow what a beautiful place and the shots are amazing. It gives out a lot of feel in the photograph. I have never been to this part of germany yet but will do it for this view.
Thank you so much! I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
Sounds like an amazing lake to visit! I love your photos, especially the one with the mist!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!
your photography skills are amazing. i sat and stared at these photos for a while and somehow felt so much relief from the stress of life.
Oh, wow, thank you! Really appreciate your comment!!
Nice post buddy, great pics 🙂 I still need to see Germany
Thanks! You’d like it for sure 🙂
Beautiful photographs, such muted compositions. Brings out the scenic beauty of the gorgeous natural landscapes <3
Thank you so much!
Beautiful photography, this looks like an absolute fairy tale.And I love all the photography tips – very useful!
It really is pretty fairy tale-ey down there! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Geroldsee looks beautiful and your helpful post on how to get there and photograph the area is very helpful. I love your pictures and imagine being in those fields were magical.
Thank you for your comment, Alison!
A) Germany looks gorgeous. B) Geroldsee looks especially lovely. C) I am LOSING IT over your photos – they’re stunning!
Haha, thanks a lot, Meagan! There is sooooo much to see in Germany! Crazy!
Wow! This place is truly mesmerizing. Such an insightful post. I love natural landscape photography. Your photos are stunning.
Thanks a lot, really appreciated! 🙂
You have some beautiful photographs there that make me want to visit this area sometime in the future
Thank you so much 🙂
These are excellent tips, I can’t wait to get my free e-book! Geroldsee is stunning, and I want to capture the mist in the trees when I’m back in Dolomiti at Christmas!
Thank you! Let me know how you liked the ebook! Enjoy Dolomiti, I’m sure it’ll be amazing!
I think the way you took the pictures added some mystic feel on it. 🙂
Thank you, I tried 😀
Loved your photographs and this part of Germany is so amazing. Can’t wait to read your ebook. 🙂
Thank you and enjoy! 🙂
Germany is amazing! I haven’t spent much time anywhere aside from in & around Berlin, but this place looks beautiful – definitely on the bucket list!
Totally agree! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
I love your photography, honestly photography is one of the things that I am truly working on. I really takes skill and talent to produce a storytelling visual memory of our travels.
Thanks, Jonathan. Well said! 🙂