Wild Swimming Alps

Wild Things Publishing Wild Swimming Alps uncovers over 130 magical swim spots across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia, ranging from crystal-clear lakes and forest pools to alpine waterfalls and glacial lagoons. Perfect for families, hikers, and thrill-seekers, this beautifully illustrated guide combines practical information with breathtaking photography and insider travel tips. Discover secret mountain tarns, dive into flooded caves, picnic by meadow lakes, and swim in pristine rivers far from the crowds.

Includes detailed directions, GPS coordinates, safety tips, and local insights into the region’s geography and history - everything you need for unforgettable aquatic adventures.

Features:
130+ wild swimming locations across 5 Alpine countries
Hidden forest lakes, waterfalls, river beaches & glacial pools
Ideal for paddleboarding, hiking, camping & picnics
Detailed walk-in instructions with GPS coordinates
200 stunning full-colour photographs
Authored by experienced alpine guide and swimmer Hansjörg Ransmayr

The Author, Hansjörg Ransmayr is a lifeguard, competition swimmer, mountain guide, white water canoeist and creative director. He is also the author of Wild Swimming Croatia & Slovenia, Wild Swimming Germany and Islandeering Germany.

Austria: The “alpine republic” of Austria offers wild swimming fans a huge range of possibilities – from idyllic forest and meadow lakes in the flatter foothills of the Alps to picturesque river bathing spots in the uplands and alpine swimming adventures. Arguably the most spectacular spot could be the backdrop to a James Bond movie: It is located in an ice palace under the “perpetual ice” of the Central Alps. The extensive region of the Ötztal Alps has many fabulous mountain lakes and tarns, some of which are at altitudes and in locations that are difficult to access. In comparison to the Ötztal valley, the Pitztal valley, which runs parallel, is far less developed and less frequented by tourists.

Germany: Bavaria is a paradise for wild swimmers. Wonderful spots are found not only in the Bavarian Alps, which are part of the northern Eastern Alps, but also in the Bavarian Prealps and the foothills of the Alps. Thousands of years ago, the alpine glaciers stretched much further, towards the north of Bavaria. When the masses of ice melted, they left many lovely lakes behind in the Bavarian Prealps, some of them forming entire lake districts. In addition, Bavaria offers wild-swimming enthusiasts magnificent waterfalls, clean mountain streams and enchanting stretches of wild riverbanks.

Switzerland: The Swiss are known as passionate open-water swimmers. Just think of the enthusiasts who regularly swim the river Rhine in Basel, the river Limmat in Zurich or the Aare in Bern. Apart from these river bathing spots, which are steeped in tradition, the alpine republic of Switzerland offers many other fabulous spots for wild dipping or wild swimming. The descriptions in this guide begin in the west of the country and proceed eastward, as well as containing a final swimming spot in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Italy: High alpine mountain lakes, fascinating river bathing spots and spectacular waterfalls. Northern Italy has made tangible improvements in terms of water pollution control so that the water quality has become much better in recent years. Today, it is great fun to swim even in lakes that are close to towns and villages, and in the lower reaches of streams. In this sense, alpine Italy is now a wild-swimming destination “prima gentilezza”, meaning “first-class”!

Slovenia: Close to the sky, the alpine part of Slovenia is formed by the Julian Alps, the Kamnik Alps/Karawanks and the Pohorje mountains. The 2,864m-tall Mount Triglav in the national park of the same name is the highest mountain in Slovenia. Its upland plateau is home to many breathtakingly beautiful lakes where swimming is sadly not permitted, to protect the environment. Irrespective of the above, Slovenia features countless rivers, lakes and waterfalls from the regions bordering Austria and Slovenia right into the karst areas.

Your ultimate guide to swimming in Europe’s most dramatic landscapes - whether you’re plunging into icy waters at 3200m or floating through sunlit meadows.