Overview
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Seebensee and Drachensee hike overview
4,75 km to Seebensee (one way)
6,35 km to Drachensee (one way)
Seebensee: 161m
Drachensee: 402m
To Seebensee: 200m
To Drachensee: 440m
2,5 to 3,5 hours in total
+ 1,5 hours including Drachensee
Out & Back
Easy - Moderate - Difficult - Expert
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About Seebensee and Drachensee
Seebensee and Drachensee are two stunning lakes in the Mieminger Chain in the Tyroler Zugspitz Arena. Both lakes are characterized by their beautifully clear water and the surrounding mountain peaks of Tyrol. Seebensee is located at an altitude of 1657 meters, between the Vorderer Tajakopf in the east, the Vorderer Drachenkopf in the southwest, and the Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze in the west.
Higher up the mountain, you find Drachensee (‘Dragon Lake’) at a height of 1874. From here, you also have a stunning view of Seebensee with the Zugspitze as a beautiful background.
Seebensee and Drachensee hike
Ehrwald to Ehrwalder Alm
2,5 kilometer - 370 meters elevation gain
There are several routes to reach Seebensee and Drachensee. It is best to start in the village of Ehrwald. Here you can choose:
- Take the Ehrwalder Almbahn cable car up to the Ehrwalder Alm
- Hike up from Ehrwald to Ehrwalder Alm. The trail is 2,5 kilometers with an elevation gain of 370 meters.
We chose to take the cable car up and walk down on the way back. This saved costs and effort because we had already completed a tough walk the day before.
Ehrwalder Alm to Seebensee
4,75 kilometer - 200 meters elevation gain
As soon as you arrive at Ehrwalder Mountain Station and Ehrwalder Alm (either hiking or taking the cable car) you can start walking towards Seebensee.
From here, you walk along a wide gravel road from the Erhwalder Alm towards Gastehaus Alpengluhn. The path is well marked following the arrows the Seebensee. After about 350 meters you come to an intersection. Here you can choose to turn right and follow the bit more challenging ‘Koatiger weg’ or go straight ahead following the trail that is also suitable for bikers and a bit more easygoing to hike. Both paths come together again after a while. We chose to continue straight along the wide footpath as this was the clearest route and the most accessible trail.
Further along the path, you will occasionally encounter junctions, where you can choose to continue following the cycle path or take the smaller walking trails. Of course, the walking trails were a bit more fun to hike than the slightly ‘boring’ cycle path. Ultimately, all paths end at Seebensee, as long as you keep following the arrows towards Seebensee. The whole trail is relatively flat, with slight ascents and descents, and very easy to navigate.
After about 4 kilometers, you will pass the Seeben Alm where you can relax and have something to eat or drink (note, you can only pay in cash here!). From the Seebensee Alm, it is a short descent of about 700 meters until you reach the beautiful emerald-blue Seebensee Lake.
Here you can walk around the beautiful lake or sit down to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Then you can choose to continue your hike to Lake Drachensee and the Coburger Mountain Hut or return to the start.
Seebensee to Drachensee
1,6 kilometer - 240 meters elevation gain
From Seebensee you can already see the zigzag path running towards the Coburger Hütte, next to Drachensee. You walk past Seebensee, a short distance through the grass, and then start the climb. This path is very narrow and full of loose stones. Wearing good shoes is really essential here!
Be sure to have a look on Seebensee a few times during your climb, because the view is truly phenomenal. As soon as you reach the Coburger Hütte you will also see the beautiful Drachensee at the back. Relax here for a while and enjoy the beautiful surroundings before returning to Ehrwalder Alm and Ehrwald.
Ehrwalder Alm to Ehrwald
Just like us, you can choose to take the cable car up and walk the way back down. You then first walk back to Ehrwalder Alm and the cable car mountain station from Drachensee or Seebensee. From here you can follow the wide path, starting on the left of the Ehrwalder Alm hut. A part of this trail goes through the forest. After a while you walk through an open area, passing a ski lift and on your left side a beautiful waterfall in the distance. We thought it was definitely worthwhile to walk the way back down instead of taking the cable car again.
Tip: If you prefer a more challenging hike, you can also take a loop hike over the Tajatörl peak via the Ganghofersteig. If you walk this hike clockwise, you first get a beautiful view of Drachensee. You then descend towards Seebensee and continue the loop.
When to hike
It is best to hike to Seebensee and Drachensee in the summer. However, since it is a well-known hiking destination, it can get busy during July and August. That is why we recommend to start hiking early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Alternatively, late spring or early autumn are also good periods to hike. However, you must take the snow conditions into account. We hiked to Seebensee at the beginning of June and there was still some snow at Drachensee. In winter it is not possible to hike because of the snow.
How to get there
The best way to reach Seebensee and Drachensee and do the hike is by car. You can park your car at the parking lot of the Ehrwalder Almbahn. Here, you can take the cable car or start hiking up to Ehrwalder Alm, from where you can start hiking to Seebensee and Drachensee.
Practical
€5 per day
Overnight stays are not allowed.
Download the “Schau Aufs Land” app via the link below and use our discount code: coordinotes10
Sleep at farms
Where to stay
Camping
There are a few campsites in the area of Ehrwald, Lermoos and Biberwier. We stayed at the Alpencamp Marienberg in Biberwier.
Hotels
In Ehrwald and the surrounding villages of Lermoos and Biberwier, you will find some good places to stay the night, like hotels and apartments. Alternatively, you can also find some great accommodation options in the nearby village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany.
Hotels
Discover the best places to stay in Ehrwald and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Tips & Safety
You cannot pay by card at the Coburger hütte and the Seeben Alm. So if you would like to eat or drink something here, be sure to bring cash!
Important hiking tips!
Other things to do in the area
In the area of Seebensee and Drachensee, you will find many other beautiful lakes, like Plansee and Eibsee. Besides lakes, there are plenty of other fun things to do and visit on both the Austrian and German sides. You will find the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the thrilling Highline 179 Suspension Bridge in Reutte, the impressive Zugspitze glacier, and the mysterious Partnachklamm.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
