Schrecksee is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Allgäu Alps. A turquoise alpine lake surrounded by grassy slopes, with a small island, located in the middle of the Allgäu High Alps nature reserve.

The lake lies at 1,813 m in a basin-like high valley, which is bordered by Knappenkopf, Kirchendach and Kälbelespitze in the east, Kastenkopf and Lahnerkopf in the south and Älpelekopf in the west. The basin opens up towards the northwest: after a small threshold, the terrain drops 300 meters in a rocky step to the Taufersalpe.