WALKING IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS

The Bavarian Alps lie along the German–Austrian border in a thin sliver of land roughly 300km long. Crammed into this area is some of the most spectacular walking and beautiful scenery that Germany has to offer. The region is also home to picturesque villages and towns, and to King Ludwig’s world-famous fairy-tale castles. Reasonable prices and an excellent tourist infrastructure make the Bavarian Alps the perfect destination for an easy-to-organise and affordable walking holiday.

Although Germany’s small slice of the European Alps offers few peaks that compare in height to those in neighbouring Austria, the scenery is no less rewarding for walkers.

Scenic highlights include the breathtakingly beautiful Königssee, a pristine lake in the Berchtesgaden Alps, the romantic Breitach, Partnach and Höllental gorges, and the rack-railway trip to the summit of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.

85 walks, including graded mountain routes, gentler valley walks and two multi-day tours
the range described by region from west to east
practical information on transport and accommodation providers

Seasons
Valley walking: from April; mountain walking: from June (peaks over 1500m snow free by end of May) to late October
Centres
Oberstdorf, Füssen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lenggries, Marquartstein, Bad Reichenhall
Difficulty
Range from half-day walks to 4 or 5 day tours; valley and mountain walks
Must See
Neuschwanstein castle; Eibsee lake; ascent of the Zugspitze; two-day hike Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Leutasch in Austria; via ferrata