Walking the Bavarian Alps

The Bavarian Alps lie along the German - Austrian border between Lake Constance (Bodensee) and Berchtesgaden - a distance of roughly 300 kilometres. Crammed into this thin sliver of land is some of the most spectacular walking that Germany has to offer. It is also home to some of the country's most colourful folk traditions and the world-famous fairy-tale castles built by Bavaria's 'Mad King Ludwig'. Though Germany's small slice of the European Alps offers few peaks that compare in height to those in neighbouring Austria, the scenery is no less rewarding for walkers. Scenic highlights include the breathtakingly beautiful Königssee, a pristine lake in the Berchtesgaden Alps, the romantic Breitach, Partnach and Höllental gorges, and the rack-railway trip to the summit of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Picturesque villages and towns, together with a rich cultural heritage, add to the region's considerable charm. On top of all this, reasonable prices and an excellent tourist infra-structure make the Bavarian Alps the perfect destination for an easy-to-organise and affordable walking holiday.