Achensee Beyond the Beaches: 4 Hidden Water Gems
A quiet sunbathing area instead of crowds, an electric boat you can drive without a license, and a sunken car 40 meters below the surface: four hidden gems on Lake Achensee—from Perfect Lodgings
On summer days, the large beach resorts in Pertisau and Maurach fill up quickly—one sunbathing area after another, families, pedal boats, and packed parking lots.
Yet Lake Achensee, the “Tyrolean Sea,” also has quieter spots for anyone who wants to enjoy the water away from the hustle and bustle. Here are four hidden gems around the lake.
1. Achenseehof Beach: A Sunbathing Lawn Without the Crowds
On the eastern shore, just before the tunnel entrance toward Maurach in Achenkirch, lies the Achenseehof Beach—a well-maintained sunbathing lawn right on the water with a children’s playground and snack stands, but without the crowds of the larger beach resorts. Admission is free, dogs are welcome, and the small number of visitors makes this spot a real hidden gem for anyone seeking peace and quiet right on the shore. A dock for the Achensee boat service is right next door, in case you feel like heading out onto the water on a whim.
2. Electric Boats Without a License: The Quiet North of the Lake
Heading north toward Achenkirch, the Achensee becomes noticeably quieter than the bustling south near Maurach and Pertisau—more campgrounds than hotels, longer drives, and less hustle and bustle. Boat Rental North rents out electric boats, pedal boats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards here—none of which require a boating license. If you’d like to experience the lake completely free of engine noise and tour boats, this is the quietest spot to get out on the water.
3. Diving at Lake Achensee: A Car Wreck at a Depth of 40 Meters
Lake Achensee is up to 133 meters deep, is constantly fed by clear mountain water, and thus remains pleasantly cool even in the height of summer—with visibility of up to 15 meters in the deeper areas. Beneath the water’s surface, some real curiosities await: At the Hechenberg dive site, an old car wreck—a so-called “Dodge”—lies at a depth of about 40 meters, while the TCI course takes divers past an upside-down boat, a sunken mailbox, a phone booth, and a cable car gondola. It’s an insider tip that most swimmers on the surface have no idea about.
4. The East Bank Trail between Eben and Achenkirch
Those who prefer to stay along the shore will find a flat, fully paved path between Eben and Achenkirch that runs right alongside the water—ideal for a stroll with a stroller or wheelchair, with views of the Karwendel Mountains across the way. Compared to the bustling promenade on the west side near Pertisau and Maurach, the atmosphere here is much more tranquil, even though cyclists also enjoy using the path.
The Perfect Starting Point
From Perfect Lodgings in Wiesing, the access road to Lake Achensee is just a few minutes away—ideal for switching spontaneously between a quiet sunbathing area, a boat tour, and a dive, without having to head to the crowded main beaches.
