Best Time To Explore The Bavarian Alps

The Bavarian Alps, located in the southernmost part of Germany, are home to stunning natural landscapes, unique destinations, and a blend of culture and adventure. The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Summer is ideal for those who want to see all the highlights, while winter offers a cold-weather playground with sledding and beer. Spring and autumn provide quieter visits and spectacular views of the mountains and lakes.

Winter activities and sports

The Bavarian Alps offer a plethora of winter activities and sports for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some options to consider:

Skiing and Snowboarding

Hit the slopes and enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding options at popular ski resorts like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf, and Zugspitze. Germany's highest peak, Zugspitze, offers easy skiing and is a challenging hiking trail during the rest of the year.

Cross-Country Skiing

Explore the picturesque valleys, forests, and well-groomed trails through cross-country skiing. The Fichtel Mountains and the Bavarian Forest offer perfect conditions for cross-country skiers.

Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking

Experience the tranquility of the snow-covered landscape on snowshoes or hike through winter trails. The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, the Fichtelgebirge, and the Bavarian Forest provide excellent opportunities for snowshoeing and winter hiking.

Sleigh Rides

Take a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy countryside and picturesque alpine villages.

Ice Skating and Curling

Glide across the ice and try your hand at ice skating and curling, adding a fun twist to your winter experience.

Winter Survival Training

Learn essential survival skills such as building snow caves, making snowshoes, and reading animal tracks during winter survival training camps.

Full Moon Snowshoe Tours

For a unique experience, join a full moon snowshoe tour in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park and immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the moonlit Alps.

Relaxing Winter Hiking Trails

If you're looking for a more relaxed pace, explore the numerous winter hiking trails that wind through the Bavarian Alps, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

Cable Car Rides

Take a cable car ride up to Zugspitze or the Karwendelbahn cable car to the Dammkar Ski Route for stunning views and a unique perspective of the Alps.

Christmas Markets

Indulge in the festive cheer at one of the many Christmas markets in Bavaria, offering delicious treats, drinks, and a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Summer activities and sports

The summer season in the Bavarian Alps offers a plethora of outdoor activities for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Here are some exciting options to consider:

• Mountaineering and Rock Climbing: Challenge yourself by scaling the majestic peaks and cliffs of the Bavarian Alps. It's a great way to test your endurance and enjoy breathtaking views.
• Paragliding and Hang Gliding: Soar through the skies and experience the Bavarian Alps from a bird's-eye view. It's an exhilarating way to take in the mountainous landscape.
• Canyoning and Rafting: Dive into thrilling water adventures with canyoning or rafting in the beautiful rivers and gorges of the region. It's a refreshing and immersive experience.
• Outdoor Concerts and Festivals: Immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the vibrant summer atmosphere by attending open-air concerts and lively festivals. It's a great way to discover traditional Bavarian music and traditions.
• Summer Tobogganing: The Bavarian Alps offer some of the best summer toboggan runs in Europe, such as the one near Bad Tölz. Adjust your speed and enjoy the thrill of 41 chicanes and 17 steep curves as you snake down through the woods and across meadows.
• Climbing Forest: Test your climbing skills in the climbing forest in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which features 13 thrilling routes, including a children's route, and over 130 climbing elements. It's an exciting way to spend the day for both adults and children.
• Hiking and Nature Walks: Embark on scenic hikes and nature walks to witness the mountains come to life with blooming flowers. It's a great way to explore the region's diverse flora and fauna.
• Cycling and Mountain Biking: Discover the Bavarian Alps on two wheels and take in the stunning springtime scenery. Explore picturesque trails and challenge yourself on varying terrain.
• Alpine Coaster: Oberammergau is home to the world's longest weatherproof toboggan run with magnetic brakes. This thrilling ride starts from a mountain near the town and covers a 400-meter altitude difference, reaching speeds of up to 40kph!
• Cable Cars and Funiculars: Take a ride on cable cars and funiculars to access higher altitudes and mountain peaks. These modes of transportation offer stunning panoramic views and provide access to hiking trails and other attractions.

Castles and palaces

The Bavarian Alps are home to some of the most beautiful castles and palaces in Germany. Here is a detailed guide to the most notable ones:

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Known as the "most beautiful castle in the world", Schloss Neuschwanstein is perched atop a rugged hill in southwest Bavaria. This castle was the brainchild of King Ludwig II, who aimed to create a private retreat inspired by the Wartburg in Thüringen. The design, featuring a mix of historicist and medieval elements, sets it apart from other castles. While the exterior is breathtaking, the interior is equally impressive, with original 19th-century furniture and extravagant ornamentation. Neuschwanstein has also earned the nickname "Disney Castle" as it inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Located near Schloss Neuschwanstein, Schloss Hohenschwangau is a quaint 19th-century palace built by King Ludwig II's father, King Maximilian II. This castle, with its yellow exterior, was the summer residence and hunting lodge of the Bavarian Royal Family, as well as King Ludwig II's childhood home. The castle offers beautiful views of the surrounding village and is open for guided tours.

Schloss Linderhof

Schloss Linderhof, the smallest of King Ludwig II's three palaces, is a rococo-style palace inspired by the French pleasure palaces of the 18th century. The palace boasts a rich array of decorative buildings in its garden, including a water basin with a fountain, a cascade with a Neptune fountain, and a Moorish kiosk. One of its most famous features is the Venus Grotto, an artificial stalactite cave with a lake, waterfall, and electric lighting.

Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace, a 17th-century Baroque palace located in Munich, was originally built as a summer residence for Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy. It later became the hunting lodge of the court and is still the residence of the Duke of Bavaria. The palace features a Baroque façade adorned with intricate sculptures, opulent rooms, and the famous Hall of Mirrors.

Herrenchiemsee Palace

Herrenchiemsee Palace, located on an island in Lake Chiemsee, about 60km southeast of Munich, is another palace inspired by Versailles. King Ludwig II modelled this palace after the Palace of Versailles as a tribute to King Louis XIV of France. The palace features a Hall of Mirrors, sparkling golden décor, a porcelain collection, and sprawling gardens.

Towns and villages

The Bavarian Alps are home to several charming towns and villages that serve as excellent bases for exploring the surrounding natural attractions and adventures. Here are some of the most notable towns and villages in the region:

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is located in the extreme southeast of Germany, near the Austrian city of Salzburg. It boasts stunning natural wonders such as Lake Konigssee, Germany's tallest waterfalls, and the pristine Lake Konigs (Konigssee or King's Lake). The town also offers breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps from Eagle's Nest, a historic site that was once a meeting place for the Nazis.

Mittenwald

Mittenwald is nestled in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, at the foot of the Karwendel mountain range. It is known for its picturesque setting, with snowy mountain peaks providing a fairytale-like backdrop to the town's streets. Mittenwald is also renowned for its violins and is home to the Violin Making Museum. The Dammkar Ski Route, one of Germany's most exciting ski adventures, is easily accessible from the town.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, often referred to as GaPa, is the largest town in the Bavarian Alps. It offers a wide range of activities, including serene lakes, towering peaks, hiking trails, and charming streets. GaPa is also home to the Olympia-Skistadion Sprungschanze, a unique ski jump attraction. The town serves as a gateway to Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain, which offers panoramic views of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Oberammergau

Oberammergau is a unique village known for its rich culture and tradition. It is famous for its Passion Play, a re-enactment of the Passion of Christ performed by the villagers every ten years. Oberammergau also boasts beautiful Lüftlmalerei (decorative paintings on building facades) and a rich wood carving tradition. The town is an ideal starting point for hikes and cycling tours, with attractions such as the Kolben chairlift and the Laberberg cable car.

Hohenschwangau

Hohenschwangau is a bustling village known for its fairytale-like castles. It is home to Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration behind Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle, and Hohenschwangau Castle, the former summer residence of King Ludwig II. The village offers breathtaking scenic views and is surrounded by majestic mountains and hills.

These towns and villages provide quick access to some of the top attractions in the Bavarian Alps, making them ideal destinations for those seeking a blend of culture, adventure, and breathtaking scenery.

Food and drink

The Bavarian Alps are home to a variety of culinary delights, from traditional Bavarian fare to innovative fusion dishes. Here is a guide to the food and drink of this stunning region.

Traditional Bavarian Cuisine

The Bavarian Alps offer an abundance of traditional Bavarian restaurants, serving classic dishes such as schnitzel, potato salad, goulash, spaetzle, and dumplings. Venison is a popular dish, especially in October. You will also find grilled duck, Wiener schnitzel, and pork knuckles on the menu. For dessert, baumkuchen, a labour-intensive tree-ring-style cake, is a speciality.

Beer is, of course, a staple drink in the region, with many breweries and beer halls serving up frothy steins of the local brew. One unique drinking tradition in Bavaria is frühschoppen, which refers to drinking beer before noon—a practice so common that it has its own word!

Modern Bavarian Cuisine

While traditional Bavarian cuisine dominates the food scene, there is also a new generation of chefs who are putting a modern twist on classic dishes and incorporating international influences. Young chefs are working with local farmers and artisans to source organic, regionally-sourced ingredients, creating lighter, more deftly executed versions of traditional dishes.

One example of this modern Bavarian cuisine can be found at the Tannenhütte, a mountain hut with a stunning view of the Wetterstein massif and Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze. Here, you can enjoy classic dishes like schnitzel and goulash, but with a lighter touch, served on gorgeous plates crafted by local ceramicists.

Another example is Wurzelwerk, a restaurant in the Werdenfelserei hotel, which spotlights local ingredients and German wines. Their menu includes dishes such as borscht with pickled sturgeon and caviar, and sous vide duck breast with red cabbage kimchi.

Where to Eat

Whether you're looking for a cosy Gasthof or a fine dining experience, there is something to suit every taste and budget in the Bavarian Alps. Here are some notable restaurants and eateries in the region:

• Alpenrose: Located in a beautiful baroque building, this restaurant features traditional Bavarian cuisine and is famous for its venison dishes in October.
• Brauereigasthof Bürgerbräu: This historic brewery and restaurant has served everyone from politicos to peasants, offering traditional Bavarian dishes and hearty local beer.
• Gasthaus Zur Schranne: This classic 19th-century inn serves hearty portions of typical Bavarian food, as well as a decent selection of vegetarian and vegan options.
• Kaiserschmarrn-Alm: Offering stunning views and friendly service, this restaurant serves German and Austrian cuisine, including the eponymous Kaiserschmarrn, a type of shredded pancake.
• Schlosswirtschaft Herrenchiemsee: Located near the boat dock on Herreninsel, this century-old hotel-turned-beer garden offers large portions, friendly service, and tasty desserts.
• Reutbergstuberl: Set up for communal dining at large wooden tables, Reutbergstuberl offers authentic Bavarian cuisine at fair prices in a quiet, comfortable atmosphere.
• Restaurant & Cafe Edelweiss: This friendly café and restaurant next to the monastery is perfect for a light lunch or dinner with local ingredients, paired with a fine choice of brews from the abbey.
• Herzogliches Bräustüberl Tegernsee: Once part of a Benedictine monastery, this popular beer hall and brewery serves tasty Bavarian snacks for under €12, with outdoor seating under chestnut trees in the summer.
• Wurzelwerk: As mentioned earlier, this restaurant in the Werdenfelserei hotel showcases modern Bavarian cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and German wines.
• The Lonely Broccoli: Located in the Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor hotel, this restaurant offers a modern Bavarian menu with an open kitchen and grill.

Frequently asked questions