The route of the King Ludwig Path lives up to its name, as it takes you past the places where the popular aristocrat left his mark. Follow in the footsteps of the Fairytale King Ludwig II on this long-distance path through beautiful nature, baroque villages, and Lake Starnberg.
Climb the 988m high Peißenberg for magnificent views over the Bavarian Alps to the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
Details about the hiking holiday on the King Ludwig Way
The Bavarian lifestyle greets you every day during your walk on the King-Ludwig trail. The eight-day, enjoyable walking tour immerses you in untouched Bavarian nature and allows you to relax. It's a good thing that there are countless accommodation options in the foothills of the Alps.
The highlights of this walking tour at a glance:
Facing the famous peaks: You hike on the hilly foothills of the Alps with a view of the Ammergau Alps and the Zugspitze.
Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: To this day, King Ludwig has left his mark in several monasteries and castles such as Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
Bavarian lakes, the Starnberger See and Ammersee: Bavaria's most popular seaside resorts. Enjoy the panoramic viewpoints on the route.
Worth knowing about the King Ludwig Way
On the first day, you can enjoy the flair of Lake Starnberg. After making your way to Bernried, you will have plenty of time to explore the town. For example, the Bernried Abbey or the "Museum of Fantasy". On relaxing walks, which are between 13 and 21 kilometres long, you walk from Lake Starnberg to the endpoint in Füssen.
Route summary
You walk on walking paths, forest trails, and asphalted paths. For tours through the Alpine foothills with a walking time of 4 to max. 6 hours, stamina and a good basic fitness level are required.
Through the nature reserve on the shores of the lake, you will hike over Ilka Heights, with a picturesque view of Lake Starnberg, to Deixlfurter Weiher. Passing pretty Bavarian villages with beautiful beer gardens, you reach the famous Andechs Monastery with its own brewery. A short bus ride to Herrsching and a leisurely boat trip to Dießen.
From Dießen via beautiful meadow paths and past the castle chapel, towards the beautiful and peaceful forests. Over hilltops with stunning vistas, your walk leads to Wessobrunn, where you can admire the famous 'grey duke' (historic clock tower) and the natural monument Tassiolinde. In the distance, the Zugspitze greets you.
Today you will discover the typical Bavarian foothills of the Alps, with its sleepy villages and remote moors. You hike steeply up to the Hohe Peissenberg, a great viewing point with a weather station and a fascinating alpine panorama. Then descend again to Hohenpeissenberg and continue at your leisure through forests and meadows to Peiting.
From Peiting, your hiking trail leads to the romantic Ammerschlucht gorge. Numerous bridges lead through the gorge above the Ammer to Rottenbuch. There you will be met by a particularly beautiful monastery church. Along hilly meadows and with a beautiful view of the Alps, you walk to Wildsteig.
From Wildsteig via idyllic marshes to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Over rolling hills, through forests and colourful meadows with a view of the Allgäu Alps and the Koning-Ludwig-land on the Forggensee further towards your destination in Buching.
You walk through nature reserves on the Hegratsrieder See and then either continue on the Forggensee-Uferweg or past the impressive castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau to Schwansee. Via the Calvary, you reach the historic market town of Füssen.
ca. 4,5 hours
17 km
300 m
300 m
Day
8
Return trip or extension
Route information
The relaxed walks are alternated via hiking and forest trails and on paved paths. The tours through the hilly foothills of the Alps only require a little stamina and good basic condition. The walks vary from 4 to max. 6 hours a day.
Luggage transfer(s) max. 1 piece of luggage 20 kg per person
Travel folder 1x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
GPS data available on request
Service Hotline
Not included
Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
Bus rides Andechs-Herrsching, approximately €6 pp, Peißenberg-Peiting approximately €5 pp, Steingaden-Buching approximately €5 pp
(Optional) Return transfer to Bernried for €75 per person, surcharge dog €29 per dog. Pre-booking required, to be paid on site
Arrival information
Airport: Munich Airport, about 45 minutes by train to Bernried
Train: Bernried station on Lake Starnberg
Parking: Free parking at the hotel, reservation not necessary
Return journey from Füssen to Bernried by train, duration approx. 3 hours (two changes)
Sample hotel list
This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.