• The King Ludwig Way self-guided walking tour
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8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 45 reviews

The King Ludwig Way

Activity Level More info
Accommodations Level More info
Start / Finish Starnberg / Füssen
Distance 117 km /73 miles
Activity Inn to Inn Walking  
Tour Type Classic Routes  
Availability April-September
From $1,320.00
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The King Ludwig Way

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 45 reviews
  • Walk from beautiful Lake Starnberg to the iconic castles of Füssen
  • A hint of adventure in the Ammer and Pöllatschlucht gorges
  • Monasteries, churches and picture-postcard villages, unique to Bavaria
  • Relax with a delicious Bratwurst and 'mass' of beer at the end of the day
  • Visit the fairy-tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
Follow the King Ludwig Way, one of Germany’s best-known footpaths, through Upper Bavaria to King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle. Within easy reach of Munich, the King Ludwig Way takes you to Lake Starnberg, past quaint villages with abbeys, monasteries and frescoed churches. Quench your thirst in world-class breweries and beer gardens along the route,.enjoy spectacular views from Hoher Peissenberg (3261 ft.), the highest point north of the Alps and stay in charming small hotels and guesthouses experiencing the best of Bavarian hospitality. This route has featured in Julia Bradbury’s BBC German Wanderlust series and this rewarding trail should not be missed.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination
If you are going to do one walk in Germany then the King Ludwig Way is probably the one you should choose. Easy walks reward you with the beauty of the Upper Bavarian countryside, including stunning lakes, magical gorges and the spectacle of two world-famous picture-postcard fairytale castles; Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

Tour Type:

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!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Groups > 10

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Long-Distance Trails
  • Accessible by Rail
  • Alpine Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

This walk is graded easy to moderate and is suitable for all with a good level of walking fitness. Generally, there is not much in the way of significant ascents, other than Day 4 with the ascent of Hohen Preißenberg, which you can shorten by train. The route follows good paths and tracks, and each day you’ll be walking for between 16-30km. You can often shorten the walks by taking public transport. The path through the Ammerschlucht gorge crosses bridges, ladders and sometimes rocky ground, so care is needed on this section.

Navigation

The King Ludwig Way is comprehensively way-marked with a blue ‘K’ on a white background, all along the trail. All of the walks are way-marked, and we also provide you with turn-by-turn instructions for each walk, maps and access to our GPS smartphone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.

Experience & Fitness

Accommodations

You’ll stay 7 nights in carefully chosen properties that are a mix of comfortable 3-4* hotels, traditional guesthouses and country inns. The properties we offer are in our opinion the best along the way; close to the path, in pretty settings, and offering an authentic experience of Bavaria. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Germany (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows. A list of our preferred/usual accommodation choices is given below, however, these are subject to availability and particularly in peak season can be very much in demand. If unavailable then we will book you into accommodation of the same or a higher standard.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is payable as some of the costs are not shared. Single rooms are available should some of your party wish to have their own room and a single supplement is again then payable. 

Meals

7 Breakfasts are included. Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before) or you can stop on the way; there are plenty of biergarten and kiosks to satisfy your thirst and appetite! Dinners are not included but available at all overnight accommodation or close by.

Included
  • 7 Nights in hand-picked 3-4 star small hotels, guesthouses and country inns
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • Daily door to door luggage transfers
  • Ferry from Herrsching to Dießen.
  • Detailed information pack, route notes and access to our navigation app
  • 24/7 telephone support from our German and UK offices
Excluded
  • Flights and travel to Starnberg and from Füssen
  • Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
  • Travel Insurance
  • Optional ferry journey on Day 1
  • Taxi transfers or public transportation if you wish to shorten a walk
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc
  • Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
Extras
  • Additional nights during the holiday

When To Go

This walk is available to start on any day of the week between May and October. 

Oktoberfest: If you are planning on travelling between mid-September and the first week of October, please note that availability is usually extremely limited due to Oktoberfest, and it is essential that you book a considerable time in advance.

Weather and Climate

The Alpine foothills are usually sunny during the summer, however recent years have shown that the weather here, as in most parts of the world, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. You should be prepared for all weather eventualities and pack accordingly.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Munich is the most convenient airport. From Munich there are regular train connections (duration approx. 15-20 mins) with regional trains and the S-Bahn. For further information visit the website of Deutsche Bahn for timetables and tickets.

By Rail: Munich Hauptbahnhof has excellent connections for trains throughout Europe. Again, please visit www.bahn.co.uk for information.  

By Road: Please let us know if you are planning to arrive in Starnberg by car; so that we can inform your first hotel and check as to availability of parking. Please note that there can be a charge for parking your car (if available) at the first hotel for the duration of your walk. It is essential to check this in advance.

Getting from the End

In Füssen there is a train station and there are many connections to various other stations in South Germany, such as Munich (duration approx. 2 hrs) or Augsburg (duration 1h40) where you can continue your journey throughout Europe or to Munich Airport.

Luggage Transfer

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.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?
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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Starnberg Day 2: Walk to Herrsching, Andechs Monastery, ferry to Dießen 12.5 miles / 20 km Day 3: Walk to Wessobrunn or Paterzell 8.6 miles / 14 km Day 4: Walk to Peiting 14 miles / 22.5 km Day 5: Walk to Wildsteig or Steingaden 8.4 miles / 13.5 km Day 6: Walk to Buching 17 miles / 28 km Day 7: Walk to Füssen, Castles of Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau 12 miles / 19 km Day 8: Onward Travel

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