Bavaria walks

This wonderful circular walk in Ottobeuren combines enjoyment of nature, exercise and mindfulness and is ideal for families and anyone looking for an inspiring break in the Allgäu. Along the way, you will learn a lot about the different planets.

This circular walk takes us along an easily accessible footpath up to the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Along the way, we have great views of Hohenschwangau Castle opposite. From the Marienbrücke bridge, we can enjoy a breathtaking view of the castle and the surrounding Alps. The return route follows a wide forest path along the summer toboggan run – ideal for nature and culture lovers. This path is also much less frequented than the paved main path.

This hike allows you to discover Königssee first, as you have to take the boat to get to the starting point. The first part of the hike is a beautiful walk through the forest with stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, which rise to over 2,500 metres. The last part, which is more challenging, allows you to admire the Eïs Kappelle with its 30-metre-wide and 15-metre-high corridors. Impressive.

Hinterstein - Shreksee - Kirchdachsattel - Hinterstein Route starts from Hinterstein parking. We hiked, but it is possible to take the bus to Kraftwerk Auele, where the trailhead begins. It is a difficult trail with steep inclines with loose rocks and water runoff. It is possible to swim in the lake, and the view from the saddle is really nice.

After conquering France, the Romans advanced across the Rhine. The Odenwald Limes was built to secure the route between the Main and Neckar rivers, which were considered natural borders. This border wall, built around 85 AD, was intended to protect the Roman province of Germania Superior. The first stage of your hike takes you along the former border line from Obernburg on the sunny Main to Michelstadt-Vielbrunn. During this scenically and culturally enriching tour, you will pass the remains of Roman watchtowers, forts (troop quarters), bathing facilities and border fortifications. Informative boards point out the sights and provide insights into life in the former border region.

After conquering France, the Romans advanced across the Rhine. The Odenwald Limes was built to secure the route between the Main and Neckar rivers, which were considered natural borders. Built around 85 AD, this border wall was intended to protect the Roman province of Germania Superior. Your hike takes you in five stages along the former border line from Obernburg on the sunny Main River through the densely wooded Odenwald to Neckarzimmern in the romantic Neckar Valley. During this scenically and culturally enriching tour, you will pass the remains of Roman watchtowers, forts (troop quarters), bathing facilities and border fortifications. Informative boards point out the sights and provide insights into life in the former border region.

This short walk takes you along the historic city wall, past the Almosenturm tower to the Annakapelle chapel. Continue along the picturesque Kapellengasse to the Mittlerer Höhenweg, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the town and the Main Valley as far as the Spessart. On the way back, you will pass the Lower Gate, St. Peter and Paul's Church and the former Stiftshof before arriving back at your starting point at the Roman Museum.

This circular route, divided into two half-days, starts at the Oberstdorf bus station. The transport system in this region makes it easy to combine hiking with bus and cable car travel from one valley to another.

This circular route, divided into two half-days, starts from Oberstdorf bus station. The transport system in this region makes it easy to combine hiking with bus and cable car journeys from one valley to another.

A pleasant route that takes you from the Allgäu to the Kleinwalsertal in Austria. The use of buses and cable cars limits significant elevation gains.

A pleasant route that takes you back to Söllereck. The route passes close to the Freibergsee lake (where you can take a short detour). You can also admire the impressive ski jump.

A magnificent route that largely follows the Austrian-German border. The use of buses and cable cars limits significant elevation gains. This ridge trail offers superb views of Austria and the mountain ranges around Oberstdorf, including the Nebelhorn.

The Nibelungensteig is a certified Qualitätsweg "Wanderbares Deutschland" (Quality Trail "Hikeable Germany") that runs for 130 km in several stages, some of which are very strenuous, with a total of more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain from west to east across the Odenwald and thus through three federal states (Hesse, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg). Our division differs from the official stages. We have chosen some shorter tours, added a few extra metres and stayed overnight in different places in some cases. When planning your tour, please note that accommodation, refreshment and catering facilities are not always available.

The third stage of the Juniper Trail summarises all the scenic highlights on a short circular route. Magnificent beech forests above Kastl, dry grasslands and, of course, the beautiful juniper heaths. It leads across the historic market square in Kastl with the old town hall, past the monastery church and up into the Hochholz, where the trail follows a forest nature trail for a while.

The second part of the Juniper Trail also has its own special highlights. From Hohenburg, the trail leads along the slope of the Lauterach Valley through forests and juniper heaths across the sparsely populated landscape. At Ransbach, the idyllic trail switches to the other bank of the Lauterach, then leads over the ridge to Kastl. The area between Hohenburg and Kastl in the Hirschwald Nature Park has a special feature. Directly on the cycle path that flanks the Lauterach lies the Hohenfels military training area, at the top of which the ruins of the former castle complex are visible.

The Lauterach Valley, which runs between Schmidmühlen and Kastl through the northern Upper Palatinate, is one of the Jura's most special gems. On the flanks of the hilltops on both sides of the romantic Jurabach stream, bizarre rock formations originating from the sponge reefs of a tropical sea adorn the path. The trail often leads directly through fragrant juniper heaths, which have earned the Lauterach Valley the name Bavarian Tuscany. In between, there are small market towns and villages with beautiful old town halls on historic market squares, castles, ruins and, of course, churches, which are further highlights of the tour. Here in the Lauterach Valley is also the last nursery of the greater horseshoe bat, a species of bat that is found nowhere else in Germany.

The first stage of the Juniper Trail starts in Schmidtmühlen, an idyllic market town in the Lauterach Valley. In addition to three castles, the market square with its pretty half-timbered houses is particularly worth a visit. From here, the trail climbs up into the forest and finally, halfway up the slope high above the Lauterach Valley, you can hike through the juniper heaths.

The Nibelungensteig is a certified Qualitätsweg "Wanderbares Deutschland" (Quality Trail "Hikeable Germany") that runs for 130 km in several stages, some of which are very strenuous, with a total of more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain from west to east across the Odenwald and thus through three federal states (Hesse, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg). Our division differs from the official stages. We have chosen some shorter tours, added a few extra metres and stayed overnight in different places in some cases. When planning your tour, please note that accommodation, refreshment and catering facilities are not always available.

The Nibelungensteig is a certified Qualitätsweg "Wanderbares Deutschland" (Quality Trail "Hiking in Germany") that runs for 130 km in several stages, some of which are very strenuous, with a total of more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain from west to east across the Odenwald and thus through three federal states (Hesse, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg). Our division differs from the official stages. We have chosen some shorter tours, added a few extra metres and stayed overnight in different places. When planning your tour, please note that accommodation, refreshment and catering facilities are not always available.