It is at the northerly base of the Zugspitze (2,950 metres (9,680 ft) above sea level and 3.5 km to the south), Germany's highest mountain.

A hiking trail leads over a small bridge at this narrow point along the north bank of the Eibsee.

It was formed when the Isar Loisach glacier withdrew at the end of the Würm glaciation and left a depression that filled with water.

The only noteworthy inflows above ground are the Kotbach, which flows into the northwest tip of the lake, and the Weiterbach in the south.

It is believed that the source area of the Kreppbach (locality Rohrlaine), which is located almost 2 km northeast, is fed underground by Eibsee waters.