Ammersee

Land: Bavaria

Area: 47sq.km/18sq.mi

The Ammersee lies 35km/22mi southwest of Munich in the Alpine Foreland. It came into existence in the last ice age, when a mighty glacier thrust northward from the Loisach valley. The lake was originally almost twice its present size, but silt deposited by the river Ammer has steadily encroached on its northern and southern shores.

The lake, surrounded by forest-covered morainic hills, is 16km/10mi long by 3-6km/2-4mi across, with a depth of up to 81m/266ft. All round its shores are attractive resorts, with bathing stations and facilities for rowing and sailing, as well as for cycling. There is also good fishing (whitefish, vendace, pike-perch). In spite of these attractions the