The Walchensee concept, which is intended to channel the rush in the region, could still stand before the real stress test: This year it has remained comparatively quiet around the Walchensee. But next summer there could be significantly more day trippers. At least nature conservationists, tourism professionals and officials are prepared for this. Because in view of the poor economic prospects, they expect that more people will be able to do without air travel again and instead go on holiday domestically.
According to Thomas Holz (CSU), many regulatory measures have already worked well this year. As an example, the mayor of Kochl states that although traffic law offenses have increased this year, serious violations such as parking in escape routes have decreased. “We attribute this to the consistent signage and monitoring,” says Holz in a first summary of all those responsible for the Walchensee concept. The two municipalities of Kochel am See and Jachenau, the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district office including the lower nature conservation authority and the Bad Tölz forestry operation of the Bavarian State Forests are involved in this. The Walchensee water rescue service, the Regionalverkehr Oberbayern (RVO), the Tölzer Land Tourismus organization, the Kochler police force and the Oberland municipal services association are also involved.
Representatives from this circle recently met for the so-called Walchensee Round to exchange experiences. “We agreed that initially no further far-reaching measures were required as part of the ‘Walchensee concept’,” reports Mayor Holz. What has already been implemented should first be evaluated further. However, efforts are being made as soon as possible to more intensively control the ban on entering the island of Sassau, which is designated as a nature reserve, off the eastern shore of Walchensee. According to district office spokeswoman Marlis Peischer, it is primarily about stand-up paddlers and sailors. Water sports enthusiasts should be made aware of the need to pay particular attention to the protection zone in the water – the ban on entry also includes a body of water within a radius of 50 meters around the island.
The Walchensee concept provides for a total of 14 measures. In the meantime, for example, the RVO bus line 9608 runs more frequently between Kochel am See, Lake Walchensee and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The municipality of Kochel am See requires every adult day tourist to pay a spa fee of two euros. The amount comes on top of the six-euro day ticket for parking at Walchensee and Kochelsee. According to Holz, a parking space sensor system was ordered for five parking spaces, with which the utilization of the parking spaces can be documented. All passing cars are recorded electronically at the toll booths on the southern shore road. If there are more than a thousand vehicles between Niedernach and Einsiedel, further access is prevented by a barrier. In addition, nature conservation rangers are on the move. Employees of the special-purpose association “Municipal Services Oberland” check more for parking violations. Furthermore, the campaign “Nature conservation begins with you” is intended to sensitize guests in the region to deal with nature responsibly. “Since the concept was approved, almost all measures have been tackled or already implemented,” says Holz. In the fall of 2023, the balance sheet is to be reassessed.