Simssee Langstreckenschwimmen

The water here holds a constant, sobering reminder of its origins: beneath your stroke, the depth reaches 22.5 meters, a remnant of the vast basin formed by the Würm glaciation when a massive ice sheet carved out the landscape. You are navigating the final, shrunken vestige of what was once the expansive Lake Rosenheim. As you move through the cool 16°C water, the silence is occasionally broken by the rhythm of your own breathing, a stark contrast to the historical weight of the shoreline. To the south, you pass the Achalterwiesen, an untouched stretch of wet meadows that remains shielded from modern development.

Historical markers and the race

Looking toward the shore, the silhouette of the Maria Stern church emerges, its late Gothic foundations dating to 1442 before later baroque modifications reshaped its profile. This area carries deeper, more difficult history; the nearby Stephanskirchen locality was the site of a forced labor subcamp for the Dachau system, where prisoners were pushed to labor for industrial production. It is a sobering realization as you push through the lake during the Simssee Langstreckenschwimmen. Those looking for a different challenge later in the season might consider the Vollmondschwimmen Chiemsee, held in August across the nearby, larger basin.

Race logistics

Participation in this event requires preparation for the temperature, as the lake rarely lingers above 16°C in May, making wetsuits a practical necessity rather than an optional choice for most. The event is part of the Alpen Open Water Cup, drawing swimmers who value the quiet, glacial basin over the commercial bustle of larger tourist lakes. The region is also known for local curiosities, such as the massive art clock in Stephanskirchen, where a backwards-running hand serves as a visual metaphor for the passage of time. Whether you are aiming for a personal best or simply completing the distance, the environment demands focus and steady effort through the remnants of the ancient ice age basin.