Take a welcome break at the Loisach springs in Biberwier

Ask ten people to name their favourite place in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena and you’ll get ten different answers. Some will say they love the summit of a mountain, others a green meadow. Many prefer one of the many bathing spots in the region – some natural, some man-made. And there are also some who will name the Loisach springs in Biberwier. The Loisach mountain river connects the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena with its German neighbours in Grainau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Its origins go back around 4,000 years, when a rock slide above what is now Biberwier saw to it that water came bubbling out of the earth – as it still does today.

The Loisach springs are picturesquely nestled in the perfect company of the Blindsee, Mittersee, and Weißensee lakes. Together, they flow into a small, marshy pond from which the Loisach begins its 115-kilometre journey to where it joins the Isar river near Wolfratshausen. Good to know: you can follow this route by bike, hugging the Loisach all the way. You’ll pass by many wonders of nature, such as the Zugspitze, any number of natural springs and fens, and a unique array of flora and fauna. If you have sporting ambitions, you can do the whole route in one day, but it’s easy to split up into several day-long chunks if you prefer a more relaxed pace. That way, you have more time to enjoy the stunning views.

But let’s return to the Loisach springs in Biberwier. In the summer, the refreshing waters are a very popular destination among hikers, not least because a brief Kneipp cure in the springs, a form of hydrotherapy, helps to reactivate your body’s strength and spirit. It’s something not just to be felt, but taken in by all the senses. The light glinting through the surrounding bushes and trees turns this place into a little corner of paradise, while the shimmering colours on the water invite you to let your mind wander and simply enjoy the moment.

In this heavenly stillness, it’s hard to imagine the river in full force further along its course. Indeed, it’s a mighty river that once powered mills and carried large rafts on its surface. Today, it is still sharing its power with man – for example at the Walchensee hydroelectric power station. At the end of the day, though, there’s nothing better than just taking in the springs and their surroundings on a quiet morning or in the gently fading light of a late afternoon.