The stunning Alpine lake, made famous on social
media, is attracting Oktoberfest-level crowds, prompting local officials to
plead for more "responsible" visitor behavior amid severe traffic
congestion.
GRAINAU, GERMANY – With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and
stunning mountain vistas, Germany's Lake Eibsee has become a social media
sensation, but local authorities now fear the "Bavarian Caribbean" is
at risk of being loved to death by overwhelming waves of overtourism.
The picturesque lake,
nestled at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, now joins destinations
like Venice in grappling with the downsides of mass tourism. While pleased with
the lake's popularity, local official Christian Andre said the summer crowds
sometimes remind him of "mass events" like Bavaria's famous
Oktoberfest.
The strain is
evident. This week, long lines formed for buses heading to the lake from the
nearby town of Grainau, with many forced to wait for the next available
service. Heavy traffic clogged the final kilometers of the single road leading
to the lake, which also serves the equally busy cable cars to the Zugspitze summit.
"We didn't
expect there to be so many people, but it's truly beautiful," said
Clément, a 32-year-old French tourist. His partner, Marion, added, "It's
so clear, which is rare for a lake."
The influx of
visitors, however, is creating a "specific pressure" on the local infrastructure. Andre, the deputy mayor of Grainau (population
3,600), expressed frustration with day-trippers who ignore signs indicating
that parking lots are full, only to turn around and worsen the traffic jams.
While some have suggested
installing entry and exit barriers, Andre dismissed the idea as illegal and
ineffective. Instead, he is appealing directly to visitors.
"Visitors must
have a certain level of responsibility and consideration," he urged.
For now, the town is
prepared to coexist with the crowds. To maintain the lake's pristine condition,
Andre said the municipality collects trash from the numerous bins around the
lake on an "almost daily" basis.
Despite the
challenges, the lake's allure remains powerful. Visitors Max, 27, and Yann, 26,
spent an hour and a half in traffic to reach the shore but said the journey was
worth it.
"I really wanted
to come back here," said Max, on his second visit. Yann noted that despite
the "enormous number of people," it was still possible to find
"quieter spots."
"It's a
wonderful place to spend the day," he said.
