Walking in Southern Bavaria

Name: Walking in Southern Bavaria
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 3.8 (4 reviews)

8 Days Excluding Flights From

8 Days from

£ 789

£ 1029

3.8/5 from

Walking & Trekking

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Group Size :

Ages :

13+

Trip Code :

W07OB

In the heart of Bavaria, among the foothills of the Alps, your base for this self-guided walking week is the quaint and ‘chocolate box’ village of Oberammergau.

Known for its world-famous Passion Plays, performed every ten years, it is impossibly picturesque; its houses are decorated with elaborate paintings known as Luftmalerei and prettily carved wooden balconies overflow with geraniums. Here, the locals embrace their rich history, where traditional Bavarian dress is often worn in recognition of their heritage and the custom of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and a generously sized portion of cake) is still an afternoon ritual.

The village is also an absolute Mecca for the walking enthusiast. From exhilarating mountain hikes with amazing views all the way to the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, to relaxed strolls through lush green valleys and wetland nature reserves, Oberammergau’s wealth of well-signed paths and easy-to-follow trails make it a great choice for wonderfully varied walking. We provide a choice of both level 1 and level 2 walks for all days, using the highly efficient local public transport system so you can explore further afield – all guests receive a Guest Card that gives free transport on certain local buses and trains. You also have the mountain lifts to take the sting out of more challenging ascents.

Highlights

Centre-based walking in one of Germany's most picturesque regions
Impressive monasteries, regal palaces, onion-domed churches and pretty frescoed houses
Friendly, family-run 3-star hotel with beautiful frescoes and a contemporary restaurant
Well-signed paths and trails with a choice of walking levels every day
Chairlifts and cable cars leading to panoramic mountain restaurants

Key Information

7 nights 3-star hotel, all rooms ensuite
5 days centre-based walking; 1 free day
Choice of routes each day
Altitude max. 1700m, average 1100m
Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs

Countries visited: Germany

What's Included

All buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Route directions and maps
Guest card for free local bus travel and discounts on the cable cards, museums and other local attractions

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Arrival & departure transfers - subject to 2 passengers travelling

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Leisurely: 3-4km/2-3miles an hour

Terrain:

Low altitude; good paths

Day 2

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 3

14 km / 8.7 miles

Day 4

22 km / 13.7 miles

Day 6

17 km / 10.6 miles

Day 7

13 km / 8.1 miles

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

W07OB - Walking in Southern Bavaria

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Oberammergau Oberammergau

A transfer (90 mins) is provided from Munich airport to your hotel in Oberammergau (subject to a minimum of 2 people booked on a departure in total).

Meals included: Dinner

A perfect introduction to your walking week starts with a short (15 mins) ride on the little red train to Bad Kohlgrub. From here, you walk through the rolling Ammer Valley’s string of sleepy farming villages. Unterammergau, in particular, has a splendid Rococo church. Then walk across to the Pulvermoos, a wildlife sanctuary and habitat for 60 bird species including Corncrake, Dipper, Whinchat and Snipe.

2 options: walking time 2.5hr, distance 9km/5.5km or walking time 4hr, distance 16km/10mi.

Distance covered: 10mi (16km)

Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

Start with a cable car ride to the top of the Laber (1685m) for panoramic views of Germany’s highest mountain – Zugspitze (2962m) – and the Austrian Alps beyond. You then wind your way down through cool pine forests to the village of Ettal. After lunch, visit the amazing 14th Century former Benedictine monastery, an outstanding example of Bavarian Baroque architecture. Return on an easy path along the pretty valley, passing the Barenhohle cave where there’s a figure of the resurrected Christ. Walking time 3.5hr, distance 12km/7.5mi or walking time 4.5hr, distance 14km/8.5mi.

2 options: walking time 3.5hr, distance 12km/7.5mi or walking time 4.5hr, distance 14km/8.5mi.

Distance covered: 9mi (14km)

Activity hours: 4.5

Meals included: Breakfast

Staffelsee is one of the larger of the many picturesque blue lakes dotted around this part of Bavaria. This beautiful stretch of water offers easy walking along the shoreline with plenty of swimming opportunities. Stop off in the attractive riverside village of Uffing (the boat landing station is a fantastic place for lunch and offers magnificent views of the lake backed by mountains). In the afternoon, either relax in the sun on the panorama deck of the little lake cruiser (pay locally), passing hidden coves and the lake’s 7 islands (one even has its own tiny chapel), or return on foot along the quiet side of the lake. Walking time 3.5hr, distance 12km/7.5mi or walking time 5hr, distance 18km/11mi or walking time 6hr, distance 22km/13.5mi.

3 options: walking time 3.5hr, distance 12km/7.5mi or walking time 5hr, distance 18km/11mi or walking time 6hr, distance 22km/13.5mi.

Distance covered: 14mi (22km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

A day off from walking today. Maybe take the local bus to Mad King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein with its breathtaking setting on a rocky outcrop. Or take the funicular to the top of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, and discover a 360 degree panorama of endless peaks spanning Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Or, if you prefer to stay closer to home, spend the afternoon by the Wellenberg outdoor pool, where there is also a sauna, Jacuzzi and spa.

Meals included: Breakfast

The Kolben chairlift whisks you up to 1270m, from where there’s a choice of routes up to the spectacular Sonnenberg ridge. Your route down passes a succession of crashing waterfalls and the reconstructed 19th Century whetstone mill at Schleifmuhle, followed by a pretty path through the meadows. Walking time 4hr, distance 13km/8mi or walking time 6hr, distance 17km/10.5mi.

2 options: walking time 4hr, distance 13km/8mi or walking time 6hr, distance 17km/11mi.

Distance covered: 11mi (17km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s walk includes an unmissable visit to Schloss Linderhof, the gloriously over-the-top Rococo palace built by Mad King Ludwig in 1878, inspired by Louis XIV’s chateau in Versailles. There are gorgeous French and Italianate terraced gardens and a golden fountain which erupts once every hour with a 30m plume of water. Return to the hotel along a tranquil path which winds back down the Linder Valley, through the village of Graswang with its beautifully preserved old farmhouses and pretty 17th century frescoed church. Walking time 1.5hr, distance 6km/4mi or walking time 3.5hr, distance 13km/8mi.

2 options: walking time 1.5hr, distance 6km/4mi or walking time 3.5hr, distance 13km/8mi.

Distance covered: 8mi (13km)

Activity hours: 3.5

Meals included: Breakfast

The tour itself ends here after breakfast. A transfer back to Munich Airport is included (subject to a minimum of 2 people booked on a departure in total).

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Walking throughout this trip is on well-marked paths which are, at times, stony underfoot. Easier options are provided for the week. Anyone looking for a variety of walking, staying at a good quality hotel, with lots of opportunity for sightseeing would be perfect for this trip.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf

Joining Instructions

The trip itself normally begins at the hotel in Oberammergau on the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary.

Arrival and departure transfers are included* (for flight inclusive travellers) between Munich Airport and the hotel in Oberammergau (approx. 90 mins) at set times which coordinate with the standard flights. Please ask your Sales Consultant for times.

Arrival/departure transfers at non-standard times can also be arranged for you, (subject to prior arrangement).

*Please note: the above optional airport transfers are subject to prior arrangement, a supplement and at least 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) may also apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.

Flights:
We can also book flights for you if you wish.

The standard flights we usually use are with British Airways from London Heathrow to Munich, departing 12:40, arriving 15:35 (transfer to hotel is approx. 90 mins). Return: Munich to London Heathrow, departing 16:25, arriving 17:30. Please note that the standard flights may occasionally change throughout the season so please enquire for up-to-date details.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Oberammergau
Location end: Oberammergau

Transfer Details

Transfers included from Munich airport at 15.35 and back to Munich airport at 12.45. (If booking inclusive flights)

Vaccinations and Health

Germany

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies (bat lyssavirus) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Germany

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Germany. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Food & Drink

All buffet breakfasts and 1 dinner are included.

Bavarian cooking is hearty and rustic, well-known for its wide variety of wurst (sausages), pretzels (breads), Knodel (dumplings), meat dishes, and of course its world-famous beers. The hotel can cater for vegetarians; please let us know in advance so we can notify the hotel. Before June, some mountain restaurants are open only at weekends.

Weather

Average temperatures in summer are in the region of 25-30oC. The warmest month is usually July whilst the coldest is mainly January. Every month has its share of precipitation on an average of 14 days per month.

Weather Charts

TRIP

W07OB - Walking in Southern Bavaria

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotel

The Hotel Alte Post is a family run hotel located within the heart of Oberammergau’s town centre. Dating back to 1612, it is one of the oldest inns in the town and has been run by the Preisinger family since the end of the 1900s. It is a traditional Bavarian style building, with white washed walls and beautiful frescoes painted on its outside walls.

The rooms are ensuite, comfortable and of a good size and most rooms come with views onto the village. The hotel’s dining areas are rustic yet cosy, with wooden pannelled walls and even an old tiled stove, whilst the newly renovated Kofel Blick café is stunningly modern with a nod to its traditional past. The hotel’s terrace is also perfect for dining, whilst watching the goings on in the village square and admiring the view of the Kofel mountain.

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.

TRIP

W07OB - Walking in Southern Bavaria

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Jim Armstrong

Reviewed September 2014

Bavaria at its best.

A spectacularly picturesque area with soaring mountains, lush green valleys, forests, lakes and pretty villages.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting outdoors on top of the Zugspitze (ca. 9000 ft.) enjoying the stunning views and eating Apfelstrudel and drinking Löwenbräu on a gorgeous September afternoon!

Thoughts on Group Leader

N/A: self guided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would advise decent walking boots, and poles if you use them, and waterproof jacket and trousers as it can certainly rain here. Take insect repellant and bite cream too. The area is photogenic so a good camera with plenty of memory is a must. I forgot mine!!! Make sure you have the extensive trip notes as the walks can be quite complicated. Due to an oversight we didn`t receive ours and would have been at a loss, but another member of the group who we became friendly with shared hers. This issue has been resolved with Exodus and we still had a wonderful time. The paths are well signposted anyway and, as mentioned in another review, the recommended routes can be customised to suit your own tastes.

Ruth Keir

Reviewed September 2014

Beer in Bavaria

A lovely week walking through the meadows and mountains of Bavaria. Local brew went down a treat. Let down by lack of walking notes however….

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing a 21km walk round the Staffelsee and having a well earned beer to celebrate! A beer at the top of the Zugspitze (highest mountain in Germany) was also great - can you see a theme emerging here?!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Myself and my Dad did this as a self guided trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I booked this trip as a self guided option mostly owing to disorganisation and there not being much else left for my chosen week. I think self guided has the potential to work really well but we only got a lot out of it by borrowing the extensive walking notes from a Headwater client. This trip is offered jointly with them. All the other people on the trip had booked with Headwater and had excellent notes. The level of detail was impressive but necessary. The Germans are very into outdoor activity and the 'wanderwegs' - walking routes- are well signposted but you need to be able to find the start and know which bus to get etc. On average per 4 hour walk the Headwater notes had 2 full A4 pages of information. They also had 1 or 2 boot notes for different abilities and lots of local information. The Exodus trip notes were as per this website and totally useless! If I was going self guided again I'd be likely to book with Headwater for this reason I'm afraid. The taxi driver collecting us at the airport also had a Headwater sign so look out for this if you don't see an Exodus one. The hotel was a lovely family run place in a traditional Bavarian wooden house which looked like a cuckoo clock. The food was excellent however one of the Headwater clients was a vegetarian and struggled. I think she went some way to furthering the cause of vegetarianism in Bavaria during the trip but bewarned!! The hotel gave provided a tourist card which allowed free local bus travel which was excellent. The tourist information office was very useful too.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Ruth for her review. We were very sorry to read that she did not receive her route notes and that she had to borrow some during her trip. We provide our clients with the same standard route notes as our sister company, Headwater, and have investigated why Ruth did not receive these. We were happy to read that Ruth and her father still had a great holiday.

Reviewed September 2013

WALKING IN OBERAMMERGAU

This trip gives you the opportunity and freedom to set your own itinerary, use your own initiative and have more contact with locals. A delightful destination that may be quieter than at first supposed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of The Kofel and taking-in the stunning panorama. Don’t let the dire warnings in the walking notes put you off - it’s undoubtedly high and a scramble to get to the top but if you do the ‘overtaking manoeuvre’ described in the notes, and you’re reasonably able-bodied and sure footed, it’s well worth the small detour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider making use of the local Tourist Information office - they’re very helpful and can book tours for you. We used them extensively including booking our tickets for Schloss Neuschwanstein which, considering the massive length of the queue for un-booked tickets at the castle when we arrived, was definitely a good move and highly recommended. Pre-booking the guided tour enabled us to pick-up our tickets as soon as we arrived at the castle and then go off and look at other things prior to our timed entry. All the walks (we did) were on well signed paths and were easy to find and follow. However, some of the walks described in the walking notes descend over fairly uneven ground with some tricky tree roots at times - walking poles might be advisable.

Reviewed July 2013

WALKING IN OBERAMMERGAU

A charming and well organised centre full of alpine houses beautifully painted with frescoes , Oberammergau is ideal for walking and other activities. The abundance of well signposted walking and cycle paths give a huge variety of options. Everything looks immaculately tended and cared for.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Schloss Neuschwanstein in all its fairytale glory - like a film set brought into the real world. Riding the Kolben carousel - a cross between a bobsleigh and a roller-coaster, a 2.6 km long thrill ride down the mountain going as fast as you dare! The intimate splendour of Schloss Linderhof - another of King Ludwig II's fantasy creations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

N/A - self guided. The hotel owners and staff were always willing to help explain local arrangements.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Schloss Neuschwanstein - 1.6 million visitors a year mean long queues despite the Teutonic efficiency of the guided tour system - book online before you go or a couple of days beforehand to get a guided tour at a convenient time. I took the direct bus, arrived at the back of the queue for non-reserved tickets at 11:45. 50 minutes later at the ticket counter I was offered a place on the 17:55 english-speaking tour. Fortunately I was on my own, so they squeezed me in on an earlier tour.Don't be afraid to assemble your own route from the parts of the described walks - the frequent and accessible local transport make this easy

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