Achensee Lake

The light green Achensee lies northeast of Innsbruck and north of Jenbach. Surrounded by dark coniferous forests, it is the largest and most beautiful of the Tirolean lakes (9km/5.5miles long, 1km/-3/4mile wide, 133m/436ft deep). To the west and south rise the imposing peaks of the Karwendelgebirge, to the east the Rofangebirge or Sonnwendgebirge. The Achensee forms the reservoir for the Jenbach hydro-electric power station, which utilizes the steep fall (380m/1,250ft) from the lake down to the Inn valley. The lake (round trips by steamer) offers excellent facilities for water sports, including diving. There are sailing and surfing schools, and also mountain tours. Maurach-Eben, Pertisau and Achenkirch are popular winter sports resorts