It's the source of all life and ubiquitous at alpine altitudes - be it in the form of a bubbling brook, a rushing river or a clear mountain lake. Hardly surprising, then, that Water sports also climb these heights. Where else can you find crystal clear bathing lakes with excellent water quality, refreshing, clear mountain streams or rivers along impressive natural and cultural landscapes?

ACTION-PACKED AND RELAXING

For a start, there's fishing: Hardly any other sport has experienced such a boom in recent months as fishing. The luxury gastronomy is also taking advantage of this: The fish weeks of the hotel "Enzian" at Lake Weissensee, which take place in March, are very popular, the gourmet hotel "Die Forelle" even offers cooking courses. The South Tyrolean "Quellenhof" offers "fly fishing and fishing" directly on the Passer River - a paradise for all passionate fishermen.

With rafting and canyoning, adventurers experience fascinating river landscapes from a completely new perspective. In the latter, canyoning, you venture into deeply cut, natural gorges. One thing is certain: the adventure of canyoning captivates all who dare - to overcome the obstacles, jumps have to be dared, abseiling, sliding and swimming are not left out. Rafting, on the other hand, takes place on wild water in stable inflatable boats.

The alternative: kayaking or canoeing. There are also plenty of tours for beginners and professionals - as well as suitable accommodations that are tailored to this clientele. For those who prefer less action-packed sports, Kneipp would be a tip. The principle is simple: cold water, time and rest. With this form of hydrotherapy, invented by Sebastian Kneipp, you can enjoy alpine wellness and do something good for your health. Sometimes, however, a spontaneous jump into the cool water is enough: many a mountain lake in the Alps is suitable for cooling off, of which there are plenty - more than 4000.

BEST OF HOTELS

LAKE HOTEL GENTIAN
NATURAL AND ROMANTIC

The four-star lakeside hotel "Enzian" at Lake Weissensee in Carinthia pairs innovation with tradition: the main house from the 1920s has been preserved true to the original, the bathhouse is an architectural highlight of the present day. The vision of the builder, the great-grandfather of the current owners, was to be and remain a "jewel on Lake Weissensee". In the meantime, the hotel is managed in the fourth generation by the hosts Christine and Traudl Cieslar, who put his vision into practice every day. They are joined by excellent cuisine and a team that lives hospitality. Many a celebrity guest can tell you about it, because from queens to Hollywood stars - many a superstar has stayed here. In addition to luxury and comfort, they particularly appreciate the cosiness. The house is also a true paradise for anglers; but an excursion with your own boat is also worthwhile for everyone else. Double room per person with half board from € 120,-.

Seehotel Enzian****
Neusach 32, 9762 Neusach, Austria
T: +43 4713 2221
seehotelenzian.at

CONNOISSEUR HOTEL THE TROUT
THE HOTEL WHERE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO PICK UP THE WOODEN SPOON YOURSELF (IF YOU WISH)

The four-star hotel "Genießerhotel Die Forelle" at Lake Weissensee offers everything an angler's heart desires. But not only fishing enthusiasts will be happy in this hotel: In addition, the family-run hotel scores with hospitality, lovingly designed rooms and suites and a regional and refined cuisine. The cook spoon swings host and four-Hauben cook Hannes Mueller personally. As a special highlight, workshops on various culinary topics are offered daily, as well as daytime cooking courses on various dates. The "forelle.unplugged" theme evenings, which involve cooking for an entire evening without electricity, also sound particularly exciting from a culinary point of view. Hannes Müller has also made a name for himself as a cookbook author. Double room from € 130,- per person with three-quarter board.

Genießerhotel Die Forelle****
Techendorf 80, 9762 Weißensee, Austria
T: +43 4713 2356
forellemueller.at

PARKHOTEL EGERNER HÖFE
A WORLD OF REAL AND QUIET PLEASURE

The extensive renovation work at the "Parkhotel Egerner Höfe" on Lake Tegern is entering its final phase. In summer, the five-star superior hotel in Rottach-Egern will open its doors to guests again - and will be unrecognizable. Under the management of hotel director Pierre Laurent Schäfer, a completely new luxury hotel will be created, which will be even more closely linked to the region, whose architecture will ensure flowing transitions between inside and outside and which, despite its ties to its homeland, will focus on contemporary design. The "Parkhotel Egerner Höfe" has 108 cosy rooms and suites with high-quality furnishings. Genuine enjoyment is a priority here and is celebrated as quiet indulgence: The new heart of the "Egerner Höfe" will be the gourmet restaurant "Dichter" under the direction of star chef Thomas Kellermann - he loves playing with unusual flavors as well as textures and creates his menus in harmony with seasonal products from the region, refined with herbs from his own garden. The restaurant's large window fronts skilfully connect the indoor and outdoor areas. The meeting point will be the stylish bar "KostBar". Cosiness is offered in the two parlours "Alois" and "Anton", which are completely in alpine style with light wood panelling. The "Egerner Alm" is similarly designed - with lots of wood, this cosy barn creates a rustic setting for family and company celebrations. Those looking for relaxation will find it in the "Egerner Höfe" in several ways: in the extensive hotel park, in the "Mangfall Spa" with its spacious pool for swimming out, in four saunas and an ice lounge. Innovative lighting concepts provide additional relaxation. The "Egerner Höfe" are of course aware of their social, ecological and cultural responsibility and were the first hotel to receive the German award for sustainability. Double room from € 296,- per person with breakfast.

Parkhotel Egerner Höfe am Tegernsee*****S
Aribostraße 19-26, 83700 Rottach-Egern, Germany
T: + 49 8022 6660
egerner-hoefe.de

ASTORIA RESORT
THE COMBINATION OF A BEACH HOLIDAY AND A MOUNTAIN HOLIDAY

Picturesquely nestled on a high plateau lies the luxurious "Astoria", which was chosen by Falstaff as the best wellness hotel of the year. "Here you can combine a beach holiday with a mountain holiday, and you don't have to forego pleasure," says host Elisabeth Gürtler. The cuisine around Chef Benedict Jacob is regional, innovative and modern and was awarded a Gault-Millau toque for the tenth time in a row. The active program including hikes, mountain tours, climbing excursions, e-bike tours and yoga sessions at the natural bathing pond is worth mentioning. You will be accompanied by highly trained hiking and mountain guides. The wellness area stands for regeneration and deceleration. The safety of the guests has priority: The safety and hygiene concept exceeds the legal requirements and is TÜV-certified. Double room from € 205,- per person with breakfast.

Astoria Resort*****S
Geigenbühelstraße 185, 6100 Seefeld, Austria
T: +43 5212 22720
astoria-seefeld.com

QUELLENHOF LUXURY RESORT LAZISE
PROVEN "QUELLENHOF" QUALITY, BUT NEW AND DIFFERENT

Lifestyle, luxury and Italian lightness - these are the characteristics of a holiday on Lake Garda at the "Quellenhof Luxury Resort" in Lazise, which was built two years ago. The hotel offers a fitness room and mountain bikes for rent, as well as guided tours. Within a radius of 20 kilometres there are eleven golf courses and numerous hiking trails. Lake Garda is predestined for water sports: boat tours and a boat rental service await guests - and to cover the full range of active and adventure holidays, Vespas, Harley-Davidsons or Zero Motorcycles are also available. The "Quellenhof" also stands for a gourmet holiday at the highest level: traditional Italian cuisine meets fresh ideas and the best ingredients. Of course, freshly caught fish from Lake Garda is also used.
Double room with half board per person from € 238,-.

Quellenhof Luxury Resort Lazise*****
Via del Terminon 19, 37017 Lazise VR, Italy
T: +39 045 8531000
quellenhof-lazise.it

BAD MOOS DOLOMITES SPA RESORT
WELLNESS AND SPA HOTEL WITH OWN SULPHUR SPRING

Situated amidst the imposing mountain world of the Dolomites is the "Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort", a wellness hotel of the first hour. Among other things, holistic health programmes are offered here using the hotel's own sulphur spring from the Fischlein Valley. "If there is magic on this planet, then it is contained in the water," once knew Loren Eiseley, an American anthropologist and natural scientist. The four-star superior hotel in Sesto has a 2500-square-meter wellness and health center, and the promise is: "Our water is a precious elixir and has been classified as very mineral." It is high in sulphate, fluoride, magnesium and calcium and contains traces of iron. The precious spring water has a positive effect (scientifically proven) on cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, chronic neuritis, migraine, allergies, burn-out, gynaecological problems or skin diseases. In addition to the health aspect, the "Bad Moos Dolomites Spa" is an excellent address as well as an ideal starting point for hikes, walks or bike tours. In terms of accommodation, everything can be offered here: Exclusive in the main house, familiar in the "Residence Bad Moos" including its 25 apartments and romantic in the "Dependance Bad Moos" opposite the main house. The 32 rooms and suites in the main building score with generosity and luxury, the alpine style is interpreted in a very appealing way - stone pine and larch wood set the tone here. Twelve suites are even equipped with an open fireplace. The culinary focus is on authentic South Tyrolean cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. By the way: one of the secrets of the chef's light, wholesome and refined culinary art is the wild herbs that he harvests himself on hikes. Apropos: The house is located directly on the slopes and hiking trails!
Double room from € 200,- per person with half board.

Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort****S
Fischleintalstraße 27, 39030 Moso, Sesto, South Tyrol, Italy
T: +39 0474 713100
badmoos.it

Our top tips:

BEST CATCH

Lake Weissensee in Carinthia is a real insider tip for all fishermen. In the 6.5 square kilometre, fjord-like Weissensee, you can fish without district boundaries. Another bonus: the fishing permit is valid for the entire lake. The fish population is rich with 22 fish species - from Reinanke and carp to pike and perch.

DIVING

Although you are no longer allowed to dive in Grüner See in Styria since 2015, there are still many lakes left for ambitious divers and mountain lovers: The man-made Grüblsee, also located in Styria, convinces with a large fish population. Blindensee and Fernsteinsee are both located in Tyrol, but they are very different: The former is home to an underwater forest, while the latter is known for its stunning color. Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland, on the other hand, impresses with its diversity - the ultimate diving experience is guaranteed here!

NATURE EXPERIENCES

Rafting in Switzerland stands for a lot of action and fun. This Alpine country in particular is considered one of the hotspots for river rafting due to its numerous rivers of various levels of difficulty and has long been an insider tip among professionals. "Swissraft" is the name of one of the many providers in the country - and is considered to be the first river rafting company in Europe. Daredevil inflatable boat trips are offered here. The routes on the Vorderrhein were the first legally tested rafting routes in Switzerland - Daniel Chézière, the founder of "Swissraft", once gave this rafting tour the name "Swiss Grand Canyon". swissraft.ch.

GOOD TO KNOW

580 square kilometers...
...large is Lake Geneva - and thus the largest in the Alpine region, closely followed by Lake Constance, which is only imperceptibly smaller (536 square kilometres). At the southern foothills of the Alps is Lake Garda, the third largest Alpine lake.

3.3 million
According to the estimation of Robert Arlinghaus (Professor for Integrative Fisheries Management at the Humboldt University in Berlin), there are about 3.3 million hobby anglers in Germany.