Forggensee is a reservoir on the Lech beside Füssen and Schwangau in the Allgäu. Go in the sailing season for a boat trip and views towards the royal castles. In the colder months, the water level drops and the shore looks very different. Füssen lists June to mid-October as the usual sailing window, with departures depending on the reservoir level. Füssen’s Forggensee visitor guide · Current boat trip details

Updated

Take a boat from Füssen

Start at Bootshafen Füssen, the town’s boat harbour. The shorter cruise works if you also want time in Füssen’s old town. Choose the longer cruise to see more of the reservoir and the mountain views. Check the operator’s departure, route and accessibility details for the day you are going. Füssen boat trips and timetables

We singled out the varied shoreline and views in the original 2022 guide. In our 2023 lakes roundup, we wrote that “we’ve explored this lake a few times”. Our Bavarian lakes guide

Füssen, Schwangau and the shore

  • Füssen: The boat harbour gives you a shore stop even when you’re spending most of your day in town. Füssen also lists a bathing area there. Use posted notices and current local conditions to decide on swimming during the bathing season. Füssen’s Forggensee guide
  • Schwangau: Use the official ticket site if you want to add Neuschwanstein. Our original guide also singled out the Museum of the Bavarian Kings in Hohenschwangau. Allow time to get between the castle area and the lakeside. Neuschwanstein visitor information · Museum of the Bavarian Kings
  • East shore: The regional walking map shows a route from Füssen via Horn and Waltenhofen to the landing stage at Brunnen. Check your onward transport or return walk before leaving. Allgäu’s east-shore walking route

What changes in winter?

The dam at Roßhaupten created the reservoir in the 1950s. Water is drawn down outside the summer season. If you’re visiting then, choose a public shore path and follow local signs around the reservoir. Füssen’s old town and Lechfall are options when the boats are off. Forggensee and the seasonal water level · Füssen sights

Getting to the Forggensee

Plan the rail trip to Füssen, then add the boat harbour or the part of the shore you want to visit. Check the onward connection separately if you’re going to Schwangau or one of the villages farther round the lake. Füssen transport and visitor information