Emergency at Eibsee persists, with no end to the crisis in sight
In an interview with the County Gazette, Grainau's Mayor Stephan Maerkl discussed the ongoing issue of traffic congestion at Grainau and Lake Eibsee, a popular tourist destination in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The issue, which has remained unsolved for an unspecified duration, extended beyond Grainau and led to a state of emergency over the weekend, with screaming passengers and traffic jams causing a chaotic scene.
The contracted company Pus from Farchant, responsible for traffic management, pulled out due to heavy insults and abuse. This has left the municipality scrambling to find a solution.
Mayor Maerkl stated that a quick fix seems far away, and the problem can only be endured until the end of the peak season. He emphasised that the situation is unacceptable for both locals and visitors.
The police only intervene when called upon and do not have the task of managing weekend tourism. Legal hurdles also prevent the municipality from closing Lake Eibsee or restricting access to it.
However, Mayor Maerkl believes that the key to managing overcrowding lies in visitor behaviour adjustments and improved use of public transport.
He suggests that visitors should aim to be at the lake before 9:00 AM, especially during peak months like July and August, to increase the chance of parking availability and allow people to enjoy the lake before large crowds arrive.
Taking the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train or the local bus to Eibsee is an effective alternative to driving, helping reduce road congestion. Visitors should plan to leave the lake either before the late-afternoon rush (before 4:00 PM) or after it subsides (after 6:00 PM) to avoid overcrowding on return trips.
Setting visitor expectations is also crucial, as public transport options tend to become crowded during peak times. Visitors might consider activities such as hiking the 7.9 km scenic loop around the lake or staying overnight at nearby accommodations like the Wellness Hotel Eibsee to spread out visitor presence over time and reduce day-trip crowding.
In summary, addressing overcrowding at Lake Eibsee hinges on arriving early, using public transit and avoiding peak return times, planning visits outside peak hours or overnight stays, and managing visitor expectations about crowded conditions.
The Germany ticket allows tourists and day visitors from Munich to visit Lake Eibsee for a low price in just two hours, contributing to its popularity. The lake is marketed as the 'Caribbean of Bavaria' on social media, further increasing its appeal.
Despite the challenges, Mayor Maerkl remains hopeful that with education and cooperation, the issue can be managed effectively, ensuring a pleasant experience for both locals and visitors. The current situation is expected to ease up after the holidays.
[1] Grainau Tourism Board. (n.d.). Tips for visiting Lake Eibsee. Retrieved from https://www.grainau.de/en/eibsee
[2] Wellness Hotel Eibsee. (n.d.). Accommodation options. Retrieved from https://www.wellnesseibsee.de/en/accommodation
[3] Zugspitze Bergbahn AG. (n.d.). Zugspitze cogwheel train. Retrieved from https://www.zugspitze.de/en/zugspitze-cogwheel-train
Visitors to Lake Eibsee are advised to follow some key tips to help manage overcrowding. These include arriving early, taking public transportation such as the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train or local bus, and planning trips outside of peak hours or overnight stays.
Education and cooperation between visitors and the local community, as well as improving the use of public transport, are crucial in addressing the ongoing traffic congestion issue at Grainau and Lake Eibsee.
