Walking in the Bavarian Alps

The hikes from Oberammergau to the Zugspitze suit experienced hikers with a good level of fitness and some mountain experience. The stages are long, with significant altitude changes and varied terrain, and the route calls for sure-footedness and a head for heights.

The route offers magnificent views of the Alps. Highlights include the Benedictine abbey of Ettal and Lake Eibsee, at the foot of the Zugspitze. Along the way you will pass through green alpine pastures, dense forests and a gorge. The paths are mostly wide hiking trails with no technical challenges.

The exception is the stage to Linderhof Palace, which crosses a narrow ridge running alongside a steep slope. You must be sure-footed and comfortable with heights. If you are not, we recommend the Panorama Trail via the Kofel instead.

The stage to Garmisch-Partenkirchen stands out for its length and altitude difference, but it can be shortened by taking public transport.

This tour is graded moderate. Individual days may vary in difficulty, with some a little tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of hand-picked 3 and 4 star hotels and guesthouses, each offering a warm welcome to walkers. If your planned accommodation isn't available, you'll be booked into a hotel of a similar or better standard. Upgraded accommodation is also available on request. Please note that twin and double rooms in Austria and Germany typically consist of two single mattresses on one double bed frame, each with its own duvet and pillow.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

We'd recommend that solo travelers on this tour have some previous alpine hiking experience, given the terrain involved.

Breakfast is included every day, usually served buffet-style with a continental spread of bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli, along with local meats, cheeses, eggs and fruit. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose each day. You may be able to order a packed lunch from your accommodation, or pick up supplies from bakeries and shops in town, and there are plenty of options for dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants.

Expect hearty, traditional food in this region, with Bavarian and Tyrolean specialities like Tiroler Gröstl, Weisswurst and Käsespätzle, plus the famous Bavarian beer to enjoy after a day on the trail.

You can start this tour on any day between mid-May and the end of September. Mid-July to mid-August is high season, when the towns along the way are busiest with local holidaymakers, while June and July are ideal for seeing alpine wildflowers in full bloom.

Weather can be changeable at high altitude, and cold fronts (even occasional summer snowfall) aren't unheard of. Storms can develop quickly in the Alps, and trails can become prone to landslides or flooding after heavy rain, so pack waterproofs and a warm layer, check the forecast before setting out, and ask your accommodation or our team for advice if you're ever in doubt.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

All the walks on this route are well waymarked and easy to follow.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
KOMPASS map: Wettersteingebirge Zugspitzgebiet Nr. 5, 1:50.000, ISBN 978-3850266925

Fly into Munich Airport, from where you can take a train to Oberammergau (approximately 3 hours, with one change). Train times and further information are available in English at bahn.de/en. Alternatively, our Adventure Specialists can book a private airport transfer for you, at an additional cost.

Getting from the end, from Ehrwald you can take the train back to Munich Airport (approximately 3 hours, with one change), again using bahn.de/en for times and information, or ask our Adventure Specialists about a private airport transfer (additional cost).

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

A local tourist tax may apply in some towns along the route. Where possible, we'll pay this for you in advance, but in some places you'll need to pay it directly at your accommodation, usually up to around three euros per person per night.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation