– from the perspective of someone who was here in April when no one else was around
By Mariejoe, Vizsla, world explorer and Feelgood Manager at one of Munich’s most innovative real estate companies.- 💧 The Mallertshofer See is used by many dog owners – whether dogs are allowed in the water depends on local regulations and on-site signage
- 🐕 No uniform regulation for the lake area itself is listed in official online sources – on-site signage is authoritative. In the Mallertshofer Holz nature reserve, dogs are not allowed to run free
- 🌿 Natural gravel pit lake in the municipality of Oberschleißheim, approximately 13 km north of Munich city center
- ✅ North shore: large lawn, little shade. South shore: dense tree cover, shady spots
- 🚫 According to the nature reserve regulations, vehicles may not be parked outside public roads and paths; camping and open fires prohibited
- ⚠️ Very busy in summer – arriving early is worth it
More day-trip tips: The best day trips with a dog in Munich.
There are places in and around Munich that everyone knows because everyone talks about them. And then there’s the Mallertshofer See. It’s long since stopped being an insider tip – but it still feels like one if you get there early enough.
The Mallertshofer See is located in the municipality of Oberschleißheim, about 13 kilometers north of Munich city center. It’s a natural gravel pit lake with no surface inflow or outflow – fed by precipitation and groundwater. No water slide, no lounge chairs to rent, no ticket booth. The water is clear. The atmosphere is relaxed.
Important from the start: The lake is located near the Mallertshofer Holz nature reserve. For the lake area itself, on-site signage should be observed. The regulations in the adjacent nature reserve, however, are clearly defined – and they are unambiguous.
Here you’ll find more dog lakes in Munich.
The Lake – Two Shores, Two Characters
The north shore of the Mallertshofer See is a wide lawn. Little shade. Lots of sun. Plenty of space to run. The entry is shallow and gravel – well suited for dogs of all sizes.
The south shore is the opposite. Dense tree cover, shady spots, quieter atmosphere. If you’re coming with a dog who prefers to rest in the shade after exercise, you’ll find your spot here.
- ✅ North shore: large lawn, shallow gravel entry, little shade
- ✅ South shore: tree cover, shady spots, quieter atmosphere
- 💧 Clear water, fed by precipitation and groundwater
- 🐕 For the lake itself: observe on-site signage
- 🚫 No officially documented bathing operations in the reviewed authority sources
- ⚠️ Pick up and take waste with you
How about a flowing body of water? Here you’ll find all the information on Isar with Dog
Perfect for: Anyone who wants to give their dog a relaxed day by the water – with a clear view of rules and surroundings.The Mallertshofer Holz – The Way There Is Part of the Trip
Anyone visiting the Mallertshofer See inevitably passes through the Mallertshofer Holz. The nature reserve covers over 600 hectares and is ecologically particularly valuable.
Here’s what applies: Dogs are not allowed to run free. Additionally, there’s a path requirement in parts of the area. The rules serve to protect animals and plants and are signposted on-site.
- 🐕 Dogs are not allowed to run free in the nature reserve
- 🌿 Over 600 hectares of protected area
- ⚠️ Path requirement in parts of the area
- ⚠️ Nature has priority
Rules That Apply – And Why You Should Take Them Seriously
Clear rules apply in the nature reserve: Open fires and grilling outside designated areas are prohibited. Camping or setting up camp is also not allowed. Vehicles may not be parked outside public roads and paths.
- 🚫 Open fires and grilling outside designated areas prohibited
- 🚫 Camping and setting up camp prohibited
- 🚫 Parking vehicles outside public paths prohibited
- 🐕 Dogs are not allowed to run free
- ✅ Observe signage
Getting There – Car and Public Transport
Getting there is possible by both car and public transport. For the specific route, current navigation or MVV information is recommended.
Important: In the MVV, one dog per passenger with a valid ticket can be taken free of charge. For additional dogs, the child fare applies.
- ✅ Public transport access possible (check connection in advance)
- ✅ One dog per passenger free in the MVV
- ⚠️ Additional dogs: child fare
Quick Overview: Mallertshofer See Dog
| Area | Off-Leash | Dog May Swim | Recommendation ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mallertshofer See (lakeshore) | Observe on-site signage | Observe on-site signage | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mallertshofer Holz (nature reserve) | 🚫 no off-leash | – | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (walk) |
The Mallertshofer See is what many Munich weekends are made of: a short drive, a long day, nature, water, and movement. It’s long since stopped being an insider tip – but if you arrive early, you’ll often still experience it exactly that way.
Munich awaits us. And we await Munich.
Yours, Mariejoe 🐾
Note: The information provided is based on reliable official sources as well as local experience. Where no clear regulation exists for the lake itself, wording has been deliberately cautious. When in doubt, on-site signage and the official regulations of the municipality of Oberschleißheim and the responsible nature conservation authorities apply.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mallertshofer See Dog
Are Dogs Allowed to Swim at the Mallertshofer See?
For the lake itself, I could not find any clearly formulated dog regulation in the official online sources that I would adopt as a definitive statement. Therefore: observe on-site signage. The rules for the adjacent nature reserve “Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden,” however, are clearly documented.
Is There a Leash Requirement at the Mallertshofer See?
In the nature reserve “Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden,” dogs are not allowed to run free. For the lake itself, you should check the on-site signage, as no separately formulated dog regulation for the lake itself could be clearly derived from the official online sources.
What Rules Apply in the Mallertshofer Holz?
The Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden is a nature reserve covering 609.42 hectares. Dogs are not allowed to run free there. Additionally, a path requirement applies in parts of the area. Open fires or grilling outside designated areas, camping or setting up camp outside designated areas, and parking motor vehicles outside public roads and paths are prohibited.
How Large Is the Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden Nature Reserve?
According to the regulations, the nature reserve “Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden” covers 609.42 hectares and is located in the municipality of Eching, the city of Garching bei München, and the municipality of Oberschleißheim.
How Do I Get to the Mallertshofer See Without a Car?
For the specific connection, you should check the current MVV information. Officially documented: Each passenger with a valid MVV ticket may take one dog free of charge; for each additional dog, the child fare applies. Small dogs in a suitable container are transported free of charge.
Is There a Path Requirement in the Mallertshofer Holz?
Yes. According to the nature reserve regulations, certain areas of the protected area may only be entered on roads, marked paths, and trails – some year-round, some seasonally from March 1 through July 15.
What Is Prohibited in the Nature Reserve?
Prohibited activities include open fires or grilling outside designated areas, camping or setting up camp outside designated areas, parking motor vehicles outside public roads and paths, and allowing dogs to run free.
What Should I Consider Before Visiting the Mallertshofer See?
Most important are the on-site signage and the rules of the adjacent nature reserve “Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden.” Dogs are not allowed to run free there. Additionally, depending on the area, path requirements apply as well as prohibitions on open fires, camping, or parking vehicles outside public roads and paths.
