The Isar is not only the fourth largest river (after the Danube, Inn and Main) in the state of Bavaria, but also a river of contrasts. The Isar rises in the Karwendel Mountains east of the town of Scharnitz and its water comes from numerous spring streams that feed the source at an altitude of around 1750 m.
The Isar can be experienced in its original form on a hike or bike ride to its source in the Karwendel. Pure nature with a delightful view of the mountains. Hardly anyone knows that the official source of the Isar is not a real source, but rather the place where three streams meet. They come from karst springs in the debris catchment area above. Locals therefore also call the place in front of the Kastenalm "near the rivers". on the ground.
Fresh and crystal clear at 4-6 degrees, the spring water bubbles to the ground. Isar - the raging river - and in many places it certainly bears its name for good reason. Isar water is polarizing in the truest sense of the word at its source. The property and quality of this water is clockwise. Clockwise water is another term for energized, vital water. People find clockwise water to be fresher and taste better.
292 kilometers of river from the source to the mouth with its constant change as the last wild river in Germany. The Isar flows 270 kilometers of this in Germany until it flows into the Danube in the municipality of Moos southeast of Deggendorf. In total, it overcomes 850 meters of altitude on its way.
AHA! cool...
"Bavarian Canada"
Isar_Bavarian Canada
The area between Mittenwald and Vorderriß is known as “Bavarian Canada” and is the wildest section of the Isar Valley. Here the Isar flows through an untouched landscape that many find particularly attractive. This beautiful part of the Isarwinkelis always worth a trip, no matter what time of year and is best done early in the morning for sunrise or for late risers for sunset or to spend an afternoon by the water in summer.
Since the establishment of the Walchensee power station in 1924, the natural upper reaches of the Isar have been interfered with by diverting a large part of the Isar water to Lake Walchen. Nevertheless, the upper Isar is still in a relatively good ecological condition with near-natural habitats and a large number of species that are rare or threatened with extinction. The natural dynamics of the landscape are reflected in the free movement of water within the wide riverbed, the fluctuations in the water level and the formation of new gravel banks and islands, especially after floods.
Steinmandl
Stone men near the source of the Isar
If you ask Wikipedia, you get the following information: “Stone men, stone men or stone men, also stone doves, stone towers,… are stones stacked on top of each other in the form of small hills or stone towers.
In the past, these stone structures were used to find the way. Today, most paths - at least in Europe - are largely defined by colored path markings. The idea of the funny cairns seems to inspire many hikers, however, and so stones are stacked in particularly beautiful spots in the mountains. Today, because it has become a trend. However, this is often viewed with questionable views.
Whether significant or not, I personally like the little cairns along the way and somehow looking at one of them puts a smile on my face.
Unbelievable
Danger to life! Isar
When there is flooding, the Isar becomes what it is by nature: a raging wild river. Why is the Isar so dangerous even during relatively harmless floods? The discharge quickly increases to 550 cubic meters per second, eight times the average. This leads to a flow speed of 15 - 20 kilometers per hour. That doesn't sound particularly fast, but the current directly on the banks is relatively slow.
But once you're a meter away from the bank, you can't hold on any longer. The water flows too fast for you to swim to the bank. In addition, there are obstacles hidden in the water, such as rocks or stuck branches. You can injure yourself on them or be pushed under water. The water rollers below the weirs are also particularly treacherous.
What's exciting to see?
Munich Eisbach - Wave Wonder
Eisbach surfers in action
Surfing, or wave riding, in Munich sounds strange at first. After all, the Bavarian capital is a good 500 kilometers from the nearest coast on the Mediterranean and even 800 kilometers from the North and Baltic Seas in the north of the country. While wave riding on the sea originated in Hawaii, the related sport of river riding on the Eisbach in Munich's English Garden has become known worldwide. The popular surfing wave is located in the south of the English Garden, shortly after the 2.8 km long Eisbach emerges from the underground. The river is a branch of the Isar.
The pioneering initiative was taken by the unemployed tank protection mechanic and motorcycle rocker Walter Strasser. In the 1980s, the resourceful Bavarian started a secret operation: he arrived in a jeep, unpacked his jackhammer, blocked off the busy Prinzregentenstraße so that no car could drive over the cables he had laid out, and installed a railway sleeper in the side of the riverbed. A work for eternity. Since then, the river has been generating a one-and-a-half meter high standing wave around the clock, which the true passionate surfers use at any time of the day or night.
The Eisbach wave at the entrance to the English Gardenthrills surf fans and onlookers from all over the world. It is considered the world's most consistent, largest and best river wave in the middle of a big city. People have been surfing here for 40 years. By the way: In 2024, the Eisbach wave was named one of the top 100 most beautiful beaches in the worldAs the only placement in Germany and ahead of Ipanema Beach.
The surfers' tricks are a popular photo opportunity for the numerous onlookers. Thanks to neoprene, surfing is possible in almost any weather and at any time of day, even in winter. International stars of the scene such as Jack Johnson and Garret McNamara have also been spotted on the wave.