Walking in the Bavarian Alps

Walking in the Bavarian Alps (8 days & 7 nights)

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 6 reviews

Discover the baroque Ettal Abbey at the heart of a Benedictine monastery
Experience the mountain vistas of Bavaria and Austria’s Tyrol region
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

This walking holiday takes you to the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain at 2,962m. Follow panoramic trails through mountainous scenery and traditional Alpine towns and villages. Immerse yourself in Germanic Alpine culture; hike from town to town, and enjoy loop walks to make the most of the area’s fantastic hiking opportunities. Your adventure begins in Oberammergau in Bavaria, and finishes in the Tyrolean town of Ehrwald in Austria, by way of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The walks are varied; walk to the imposing, baroque Ettal Abbey at the heart of the Benedictine monastery. Hike the dramatic 150m deep ‘Hells Valley’ gorge and take a ride on the ‘Zugspitzbahn’ to the scenic Eibsee lake. At the end of the day you can look forward to relaxing in comfortable, hand-picked accommodations with a refreshing Bavarian beer.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

If you are looking for glorious, panoramic hiking through a culturally rich, mountainous region, then look no further. Walk from hotel to hotel, and enjoy loop hikes in between, allowing you to relax 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! Optional walks allow a rest day if preferred. Stay in welcoming 3 and 4* hotels.

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

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:

Alpine Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is rated moderate. Distances vary from 11– 20km, and the ascent/descent is considerable, ranging between 300-1,000m daily. To get the most from this tour, you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using cable cars. The terrain is alpine, and paths are a mixture of woodland trails, rocky mountain paths, gravel tracks, boulder strewn-paths and faint grassy trails.

Navigation

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

To get the most from this tour you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using cable cars.

Accommodations

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.

Included

7 Nights in 3 & 4 star hotels
7 breakfasts
Bag transfer as per the itinerary
Detailed information pack , route notes, maps and access to our navigation app
24/7 support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Oberammergau and from Ehrwald
Lunches and Dinners
Public transport (including cable cars)
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When To Go

You can start your Bavarian adventure on any day between the middle of May and the end of October. 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.

Weather and Climate

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

Getting to the Start

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

Getting from the End

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

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

Some walks can be started directly at your hotel, and some require short transfers by local bus or cable car. These transfers are not included in the cost of the trip and are payable locally. The approx. the total cost of public transport during this trip is 40 euros per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

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