Walking in the Bavarian Alps
- Experience the mountain vistas of Bavaria and Austria’s Tyrol region
- Discover the baroque Ettal Abbey at the heart of a Benedictine monastery
- Hike around the crystal clear Eibsee, at the foot of Germany’s tallest peak
- Explore charming Alpine towns including Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Dine on hearty regional specialities like pretzels, local sausage and Kaiserschmarrn
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in OberammergauWelcome to the Ammergauer Alps! Oberammergau is easily accessible from Munich airport by train (approx. 2 hours). The town is famous for its once-in-a-decade ‘Passion Plays’, a play depicting the life and death of Jesus. The first Passion Play was performed in 1634 when the town’s inhabitants vowed to perform it every ten years if God spared the town from the bubonic plague. Aside from the plays, the town is well-known amongst outdoor enthusiasts and is a great place to start your hiking adventure.
The rooms are equipped with TV, safe, telephone, small fridge, hairdryer and free WiFi. The hotel also has a restaurant with a terrace.
The Mammhofer Suite & Breakfast awaits you in the heart of Oberammergau and combines the charm of a family guesthouse with the advantages of a boutique hotel. The 4th generation family-run property prides itself on its originality, its typical Bavarian architecture and the natural materials that are used here. All rooms and suites offer views of the Oberammergau mountains, most rooms have a private balcony.
The Aktiv Hotel Böld, centrally located at the foot of the Kofel, welcomes you in Oberammergau.
In the morning you take the cable car up to the Kolbensattel Hut. You hike along a panoramic hiking trail via the Pürschlingshäuser to the cosy Brunnenkopfhütte. After a rest, descend again, straight into the fairytale world of King Ludwig II, to Linderhof Palace. The magnificently laid out park is reminiscent of both French and Italian Baroque gardens. Here you take the bus back to Oberammergau. You also have the option to take an alternative loop walk to the summit of Kofel.
Ascent/Descent: 510m/850m.
If the cable car is not running you can walk from the bottom base, this extends the walk to 15kms/10mi, ascent/descent: 920m/860m. Check the cable car website for operational dates.
Alternative Walk - Kofel Mountain: 17 kms/11mi, Ascent/Descent: 550m/550m
The rooms are equipped with TV, safe, telephone, small fridge, hairdryer and free WiFi. The hotel also has a restaurant with a terrace.
The Mammhofer Suite & Breakfast awaits you in the heart of Oberammergau and combines the charm of a family guesthouse with the advantages of a boutique hotel. The 4th generation family-run property prides itself on its originality, its typical Bavarian architecture and the natural materials that are used here. All rooms and suites offer views of the Oberammergau mountains, most rooms have a private balcony.
The Aktiv Hotel Böld, centrally located at the foot of the Kofel, welcomes you in Oberammergau.
Today’s hike is a real highlight - your walk to Garmisch, passing the impressive Ettal Abbey on the way. With a dramatic Alpine backdrop, the majestic monastery is worth a few minutes pause to take it all in. Continue through the ‘Giessenbachtal’ valley to Garmisch, where you will be spending the next three nights. A popular skiing resort in winter, the town is also a hiker’s heaven, due to its proximity to the Zugspitze and various other peaks and trails in the area. Considered the Alpine capital of Germany, the town centre is traditional yet vibrant, with lots of restaurants and activities on offer.
There is the option of doing a shorter walk today. Instead of walking to Ettal Abbey, you can take the local bus from your accommodation this morning.
Shorter walk: 15kms/9mi Ascent/Descent: 655m/830m
Longer walk: 20kms/13mi Ascent/Descent: 760m/910m
This 3-star hotel is 700 meters from Garmisch Partenkirchen's town hall and offers great views of the Zugspitze.
The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten welcomes you in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of the Alps.
This cozy spa resort at the foot of the Zugspitze offers studios and apartments in beautiful natural surroundings in the Bavarian Alps.
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, take the cable car to the summit of Wank at 1,780m above sea level. Follow a loop walk around the mountain which offers continuously beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.
Finish the day enjoying a Bavarian delicacy in one of the traditional mountain huts while taking in views of the Zugspitze and the rest of the Wetterstein range.
Ascent/Descent: 270m/1,280m
This 3-star hotel is 700 meters from Garmisch Partenkirchen's town hall and offers great views of the Zugspitze.
The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten welcomes you in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of the Alps.
This cozy spa resort at the foot of the Zugspitze offers studios and apartments in beautiful natural surroundings in the Bavarian Alps.
Today, explore the 150m deep gorges of the ‘Höllentalklamm’, or ‘Hell’s Valley’ in English. Follow this adventurous, circular route over paths and bridges passing countless waterfalls and imposing boulders up to the Höllentalanger Hut.
Make the most of your final evening in Garmisch and take a stroll through its historic streets and alleys. If you would like even more time to explore this lively, quintessential Bavarian town, we recommend adding an extra night here.
Ascent/Descent: 930m/930m
This 3-star hotel is 700 meters from Garmisch Partenkirchen's town hall and offers great views of the Zugspitze.
The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten welcomes you in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of the Alps.
This cozy spa resort at the foot of the Zugspitze offers studios and apartments in beautiful natural surroundings in the Bavarian Alps.
This morning, begin with an exciting trip on the ‘Zugspitzbahn’ to reach Eibsee, where today’s hike starts. Enjoy a relaxed hike around the crystal-clear waters of the Eibsee lake. An oasis embedded in the dramatic, rocky landscape, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful lakes of the Bavarian Alps. Continue through varied scenery and cross into Austria and the distinct region of Tyrol. Come to the town of Ehrwald, a small Tyrolean village nestled at the foot of the Wetterstein mountain chain. Located at 1,000m above sea-level and in a sunny basin, it’s a fantastic place to spend the last two nights of your adventure.
Ascent/Descent: 590m/590m
A family-run hotel located in the centre of Ehrwald. You can look forward to friendly Tyrolean hospitality, spacious rooms and a small ‘wellness’ area.
Located in Ehrwald amidst the Zugspitz Arena Ski Resort and 900 yards from the Ehrwalder Alm Cable Car, Hotel & Restaurant zum Urviech offers a restaurant, free WiFi, and free private parking on site. The restaurant offers original Tyrolean cuisine.
Expect a warm welcome at the Hotel Alpin. Sitting on the sunny side of the Zugspitze, kick your boots off, take in the stunning mountain views or relax in their peaceful wellness area.
Your final day of walking explores the scenic Alpine meadows and pastures that surround the town of Ehrwald.
On the sunny side of the Zugspitze; walk from Lähn to Bichlbacher ‘Alm’ (pasture/farm), Grünen Ups and finally to Lermooser Tuftlalm. Enjoy traditional Tyrolean dishes and locally made dairy-products as well as final views to the ever-impressive Zugspitze.
Finish the day enjoying an Austrian delicacy in one of the traditional mountain huts while taking in views of the Zugspitze and the rest of the Wetterstein range.
Ascent/Descent: 840m/960m
A family-run hotel located in the centre of Ehrwald. You can look forward to friendly Tyrolean hospitality, spacious rooms and a small ‘wellness’ area.
Located in Ehrwald amidst the Zugspitz Arena Ski Resort and 900 yards from the Ehrwalder Alm Cable Car, Hotel & Restaurant zum Urviech offers a restaurant, free WiFi, and free private parking on site. The restaurant offers original Tyrolean cuisine.
Expect a warm welcome at the Hotel Alpin. Sitting on the sunny side of the Zugspitze, kick your boots off, take in the stunning mountain views or relax in their peaceful wellness area.
Enjoy a final breakfast in Ehrwald and reflect on your Zugspitze adventure before checking our of your hotel and starting your onward travel.
If you have time to spare, why not add some additional nights to your trip? A trip with the Zugspitzbahn to the summit (2,962m), where you can enjoy views over four countries, is highly recommended (add an additional night in Ehrwald for this activity).
This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you are looking for glorious, panoramic hiking through a culturally and historically rich, mountainous region, then look no further. Walk from welcoming 3 to 4* hotel to hotel, and enjoy optional loop hikes in between, allowing you to relax on a rest day and get to know each town along the way, before moving on to the next exciting location. Graded moderate, there are some significant ascents and descents involved, perfect for working up an appetite for some hearty local cuisine! This trip is suitable for experienced hikers, alpine experience is not required,
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is rated moderate. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some walks may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The terrain is alpine, and paths are a mixture of woodland trails, rocky mountain paths, gravel tracks, boulder strewn-paths and faint grassy trails. The highest point of this tour is 1,850m.
Distances vary from 11– 20km, and the ascent/descent is considerable, ranging between 280 and 1,280m daily. To get the most from this tour, you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using cable cars.
Stay in 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses. All of our accommodations are hand-picked and offer a warm welcome to walkers. You will find an example of the accommodation we normally use below. If these accommodations are not available we will use a hotel of a similar of better standard than those described. Upgraded accommodation is also available, please contact us for more information. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Austria and Germany (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This trip is available to solo walkers but a solo walker supplement is payable. We recommend that solo walkers be experienced Alpine hikers. Single rooms and double rooms for single occupancy are available should someone in your party wish to have their own room, again a supplement is payable.
Meals
All breakfasts are included in the cost of your trip.Breakfast is always buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. Usually there are also local meats and cheeses, eggs and fruit on offer. Dinners and all lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You may be able to order a packed lunch at your accommodation for the following day, or you can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Dinner is included at the mountain hut. Food in Austria and Bavaria is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese being some of the dominant ingredients! Tiroler specialities include ‘Tiroler Gröstl’, a bacon, onion and potato fry-up topped with a fried egg. In Bavaria, sausage is king so be sure to try one of their specialities like ‘Weisswurst’. ’Käsespätzle’ is a kind of eggy pasta topped with melted cheese and sometimes crispy fried onion– it’s the ultimate comfort food. Bavarian beer is world-famous and for good reason! Enjoy a refreshing ‘stein’ after a day of walking– delicious.
All walks are well-waymarked and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
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
- 7 Nights in 3 & 4 star hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- Bag transfer as per the itinerary
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our US and German offices
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to Oberammergau and from Ehrwald
- Lunches and Dinners
- Public transport (including cable cars)
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
- Private airport transfer
You can start your Bavarian adventure on any day between the middle of May and the end of September. Any time during this period is ideal for walking, mid-July to mid- August is high season and the towns along the way will be busy with local holiday makers. June and July is the ideal time to catch the Alpine wildflowers in full bloom.
Please remember that the weather can be changeable at high altitudes, and cold fronts can occur even in the summer (snowfall in the Alps at the height of summer is not unheard of). Storms can develop rapidly in the Alps, and hiking trail becomes prone to landslides or floods due to the swelling of nearby water sources. If rain is forecast, ensure that you are prepared with extra gear and footwear that is mud-friendly. Always be prepared and carry waterproofs and a warm layer with you in case of any changes. Always check the weather forecast before setting out, and if in any doubt, ask your accommodation, or us, for advice
By Air: Fly into Munich airport from where you can take a train to Oberammergau (approx. 3 hours with one change). Train times and more info can be found in English at www.bahn.de/en. Alternatively, our Adventure Specialists can book a private airport transfer for you (additional costs apply).
From Ehrwald, take the train back to Munich airport (approx. 3 hours with one change). Train times and more info can be found in English at www.bahn.de/en. Alternatively, our Adventure Specialists can book a private airport transfer for you (additional costs apply).
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 per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
You will need good walking shoes/trail shoes with a solid sole and good grip, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers a day pack and hats. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Simply leave your luggage at the reception of your hotel by 9am and it will be delivered to your next hotel before 5pm.
The closest airport is Munich Airport which is served by flights from throughout Europe and around the world.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised. This is a very popular area with holiday makers!
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