The King Ludwig Way

Your journey begins in the beautiful town of Starnberg. If you arrive in good time, you can take the ferry to Berg and visit the votive chapel, which stands above the spot where King Ludwig's remains were found. On the way back, you can walk the first stretch of the King Ludwig Way along the lakeshore — the perfect start to your walking week in the Bavarian Alps.

After breakfast, begin your walk along the King Ludwig Way, which leads you deep into the heart of Bavaria. Stroll alongside picturesque Maisinger Lake on your way to Andechs, home to a beautiful monastery and a renowned small brewery — the perfect place to quench your thirst.

Continue to Herrsching, set on the shores of Lake Ammersee, where you’ll catch the ferry across to Dießen.

Ascent/Descent: 220m/280m (720/920ft)

The King Ludwig Way leads you through Dießen, with its charming alleyways, traditional houses, and the impressive Münster — one of Bavaria’s most beautiful baroque churches. You soon reach the region of Pfaffenwinkel, a landscape King Ludwig greatly admired. Emerging from dense forests, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the towering Zugspitze before continuing through gentle meadows to the monastery at Wessobrunn.

Depending on availability, you may spend the night in Paterzell. From Wessobrunn, the trail winds through romantic woodland to the hamlet of Schönwag. From there, follow the meandering path and the excellent King Ludwig Way signage until you reach Paterzell. If accommodation in Wessobrunn or Paterzell is fully booked, an overnight stay in Weilheim is also possible.

Walk to Wessobrunn: 14km (9mi), ascent 240m, descent 15m (785/50ft)

Walk to Paterzell: 18km (11mi), ascent 320m, descent 200m (1055/655ft)

A hearty breakfast this morning will set you up for a rewarding day of hiking. The trail continues past sleepy villages to the foot of Hoher Peißenberg (988m/3240ft). The welcoming terrace of the Gasthof at Eibenwald is an ideal spot to rest and recharge. From the summit, you can either continue on foot down to the pretty town of Peiting or take a local train (fare payable on site), which shortens today’s walk by 6km/4mi.

If you stayed in Paterzell last night instead of Wessobrunn, today’s walk will be slightly shorter.

Ascent/Descent: 470m/455m (1540/1490ft)

Shorter walk (if starting from Paterzell): 19km (12mi)

From Peiting, you’ll walk through dense forest and the stunning Ammerschlucht gorge—Bavaria’s ‘Grand Canyon’ and one of the absolute highlights of the entire trail. Make your way through the gorge via a network of steps, bridges, and short climbs, offering a real sense of adventure. Continue along the path to Rottenbuch, with beautiful views of the ever-present Ammergau mountains.

Today’s walk ends in the small farming village of Wildsteig, delightfully off the beaten tourist track. Depending on availability, you may stay in Wildsteig or return to Peiting for a second night. An included taxi transfer will collect you from Wildsteig, take you back to Peiting for your overnight stay, and return you to the trailhead the following day.

Alternatively, you might stay in Steingaden, further along the trail from Wildsteig. In that case, you will continue through forest and meadows to reach Steingaden.

Walk to Wildsteig: 13km (8mi), ascent, 265m, descent, 115m (870/370ft)

Walk to Steingaden: 24km (15mi), ascent 315m, descent 290m (1,035/950ft)

Today, you can choose between two variants of the King Ludwig Way: a slightly shorter route through the Bavarian villages of Trauchgau, or a longer walk across moorland via Steingaden.

Whichever option you choose, begin by crossing meadows with stunning views of the Alps before reaching the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wieskirche — a Baroque masterpiece of space and light, adorned with magnificent frescoes. From there, you can decide whether to continue to Buching via the longer or shorter route.

If you stayed in Peiting last night, a morning taxi transfer will take you to the trailhead at Wildsteig. If you stayed in Steingaden, today’s walk will be 10km/6mi shorter.

Ascent/Descent: 235m/300m (775/990ft)

The final stage of the King Ludwig Way is one of the finest hikes in Germany. Along the way, admire the stunning castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, as well as the dramatic Pöllatschlucht gorge.

While it’s possible to visit the castles today, we recommend booking an extra night in the charming town of Füssen to explore the castles, monastery, and other attractions at a more leisurely pace. Regular buses and alternative walking routes connect Füssen with the castles.

Ascent/Descent: 220m/220m (730/725ft)

If you haven’t booked an extra night in Füssen, check out after breakfast and say farewell to the foothills of the Alps.