German Visa

Over almost 500 km, the German Alpine route runs through southern Bavaria, between Lindau (near Lake Constance) and Berchtesgaden (20 km from Salzburg). On the way, the traveler crosses magnificent mountain landscapes, the castles of Louis II of Bavaria and adorable villages with painted façades and flowered chalets. It is one of the most picturesque roads in Europe.

Two stages will particularly attract the attention of lovers of mountains, beautiful panoramas and hiking: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located near the Zugspitze (highest point in Germany) and Berchtesgaden, in the heart of a splendid national park and next to the famous Königssee lake.

Two beautiful holiday destinations, in the heart of a magnificent and unspoiled nature, which we invite you to discover …

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Located in the south of Bavaria, a hundred kilometers from Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most famous of the German ski resorts since the Olympic Games of 1936. Twinned with Chamonix, “GaPa”, as it is nicknamed here, is located at at the foot of the highest point in Germany, the Zugspitze (2,962 m), but above all in the heart of a magnificent Alpine landscape.

Spectacular peaks, deep coniferous forests, lakes with crystal clear waters, pastures with generous herbs, idyllic panoramas … The region of Garmisch-Partenkirchen radiates a beauty that is both grandiose and soothing, and the purity of its air earns it the title of “resort “, specializing in wellness stays.

In addition to the winter sports offer which benefits from the Olympic facilities (including an imposing ski jump of 60 m high), “GaPa” is an exceptional outdoor destination: mountain biking, rafting, hang gliding, paragliding, kayaking, tree climbing, climbing, golf and, of course, beautiful walks are on the menu for summer stays. Some 300 km of hiking trails and 450 km of cycle paths crisscross the region.

Historic Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Far from being an unattractive resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen turns out to be an attractive historic town, where the musician Richard Strauss (Thus spoke Zarathoustra) lived for more than 40 years. In fact, it is the meeting of two villages: Garmisch, founded in the Middle Ages, and Partenkirchen, whose origins date back to Roman antiquity.

In Garmisch, known for its shops, we admire the quaint cottages with flowered balconies of Frühlingstrasse before discovering in the moving church Sankt Martin (Alte Pfarrkirche St. Martin), a mural on the Passion of the 15th century. More peaceful and residential, Partenkirchen comes alive in the evening along Ludwigstrasse, lined with painted houses, where there are typical old-fashioned inns, artisans, as well as the best confectionery and pastries in the city.

Housed in a beautiful 17C mansion on Ludwigstrasse, the Werdenfelser Museum traces the history, culture and folklore of the region. Proof if any that Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort with an extra soul…

The Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany

Zugspitze

You will no doubt come to Garmisch-Partenkirchen to see it: the famous Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany and a must in the Bavarian Alps, not that high: 2,962 m. On clear days, superb 180 ° panorama of the summit covering the mountains of four countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy).

You can reach the Zugspitze by cog railway and cable car in 1 hour 30 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. When you reach the top, you can celebrate the event with a drink at the highest Biergarten in the world, the Münchner-Haus (you can also sleep there). Another faster solution: take the cable car to Lake Eibsee 10 km from Garmisch (10 min climb). Take the opportunity to go around the lake on foot. The walk, at the edge of a turquoise water lined with fir trees, offers splendid views of the Zugspitze.

If you are tempted to explore other summits, jump on the Wank gondola, which in 20 min reaches this 1,780 m mountain overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen and its valley. With the inevitable Zugspitze as a backdrop and, on the mountain, a beautiful panoramic walking trail. Another observation point on the roof of Germany: the Alpspitze (2,968 m), where you can walk on a footbridge suspended in the void above the valley!

Many other hikes and excursions, of varying length and difficulty, are possible from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Among the most impressive, the Partnach gorge (Partnachklamm) which can be reached in 20 minutes on foot: stretching over 700 m and more than 100 m deep, it offers the spectacle of an unleashed torrent sneaking in with fury between imposing rock walls. Fantastic decor and atmosphere worthy of the Lord of the Rings.

The bravest – as well as fans of Ludwig II of Bavaria – will go to the royal hunting lodge on the Schachen: no less than 4 hours of walking are necessary to reach this refuge that the “mad king” had built around 1 860 m above sea level in an idyllic mountain setting.

Bavaria, around Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Little Red Riding Hood’s house in Oberammergau

Just an hour’s drive from Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is an excellent base for exploring the tourist attractions of southern Bavaria. You can put your travel bag there and shine in the surrounding area. Among the sites not to be missed:

– Mittenwald , 20 km east of Garmisch, very close to the Austrian border: this small town with painted and flowered houses is renowned for its violin making (interesting museum on the subject). Very nice walks to do in the surroundings, as well as around the wonderful nearby Walchensee lake.

– Murnau and the “Blue Country” 20 km north of Garmisch: here again, a lovely little Bavarian town in a beautiful natural setting. The region owes its name to the painters of the artistic movement “Blue Rider”, such as Kandinsky, Gabriele Münther, Franz Marc, who stayed there. You can admire their works, as well as paintings from the expressionist movement “Die Brücke”, at the Murnau Castle Museum and at the Franz-Marc Museum in Kochel am See.

– Oberammergau 18 km north-west of Garmisch: more typical, you die! At the heart of the alpine pastures and at the foot of the mountains, a 100% Bavarian village where one finds among the most beautiful painted houses in the Land. Religious scenes or banquets, traditional tales, sayings … Real picture books as facades! Local wood crafts are famous throughout Germany. 20 km away, do not miss the church of Wies , a Rococo masterpiece classified by UNESCO.

– Linderhof and the castles of Louis II: Linderhof is 15 km from Garmisch. A pocket castle, inspired by Versailles, the main curiosity of which is the completely artificial cave of Venus, which evokes the decor of Wagner’s opera Tannhaüser , including an inland lake. You have to see it to believe it! The castles of Neuschwanstein and Herrenschiemsee are a little further away.

Finally, from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can take the German Alpine Route which criss-crosses southern Bavaria to Berchtesgaden, on the Austrian border. Another high place of nature made in Germany.

Hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park

Königssee from the top of Jenner

At the end of the German Alpine road, on the border with Austria, the small town of Berchtesgaden nestles in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of the Alpine chain. Lakes, forests, mountain pastures, snow-capped peaks, preserved flora and fauna, and above all grandiose panoramas … A pure nature festival! The surrounding region, dominated by the massive silhouette of Mount Watzmann (2,713 m), is also classified as a UNESCO National Park and Biosphere Reserve.

Prepare your walking shoes! The region has 260 km of hiking and alpine trails of all levels. The choice is vast: you can, for example, approach the rocky mass of Mount Watzmann , explore the tumultuous gorges of Wimbach, or hike on ice at the Blue Glacier .

Another must: admire the sublime Königssee from the Sankt-Bartholomä ice chapel, the Malerwinkel viewpoint (easily accessible) or from the top of Mount Jenner (the most beautiful viewpoint).

On the way, hikers will be able to observe a very rich fauna, and in particular ibex, deer, chamois, marmots, golden eagles, hares or Pyrenean hares.

Before leaving for the mountains, we recommend that you visit the expo on the national park at the Haus der Berge (mountain house).

Bavarian villages, from Berchtesgaden to Ramsau

Ramsau

Enriched in the Middle Ages by the salt trade, the village of Berchtesgaden conceals a beautiful heritage which testifies to the opulence of the region. In addition to the royal castle, one can admire the beautiful houses with painted facades of the old town, such as the astonishing trompe-l’oeil of the Zum Hirschen inn.

Berchtesgaden, where it is not uncommon to meet men in skin breeches, has kept a picturesque and “traditional” side. Flons assured on the side of the Biergarten to accompany music beers, sausages and other knödeln. The city is famous for its craft shops, as well for wood carvings, embroidery as Lederhosen (skin breeches).

After a stroll through the streets of Berchtesgaden, you will be glad to put on your miner’s suit to explore the salt mines (Salzbergwerk), which is still active: the fascinating guided tour allows you to discover the process of producing white gold, browsing the galleries, but also underground lakes, mines dug to 16 e s to 600 m underground.

In the surroundings, idyllic villages, with their bulbous bell-tower churches, nestle in the hollow of the mountains: one of them, Ramsau, also covers the 2016 German Backpacker!

As for the visit to Hitler’s sinister eagle nest which overlooks Berchtesgaden – now a tourist attraction -, one can do without it (apart from its excellent documentation center). The magnificent panoramas are numerous enough in the region to avoid that from the mountain of Obersalzberg, where the ex-refuge of the dictator is located.

Lake Königssee, majestic like a fjord

Chapel of Sankt-Bartholomä

It is undoubtedly the star of the Bavarian Alps, an exceptional site that will take your breath away. The Königssee , an incredible mountain lake in the shape of a fjord, has not lost its name: this “royal lake” spreads its waters, reaching in places almost 200 m deep, 8 km long and 1, 7 km wide at the foot of cliffs rising up to 2,000 m! This wonder of nature, both majestic and wild, alone is worth the trip to Berchtesgaden.

Of course, you will not be alone. To sail in peace on the lake, it is better to take a boat trip before 9 a.m. in summer. It is the only means of circulation, the mountains plunging directly into the lake.

After 45 min, the boat reaches the chapel of Sankt-Bartholomä (17C), isolated on a shore by the lake, at the foot of the massif of Mount Watzmann. A famous pilgrimage site in Bavaria (and not only tourist!).

What a beauty, all the same, that this little church, surmounted by its red bulbous bell towers, standing out against the backdrop of cliffs and snowy peaks! Next door, an inn serves the lake’s specialty, the Schwarzreiter (smoked fish). From there, a few paths allow you to wander around.

If most visitors are content to go to Sankt-Bartholomä, we recommend that you continue your walk to the southern end of the Königssee, in Salet. Here, the contrast between the emerald water under the sun, the deep green of the forest and the whiteness of the rock becomes even more striking.

From Salet, a path leads in 30 min to another lake, smaller but even wilder than the Königssee, nestled in a mountainous circus: the Obersee, whose still waters serve as a mirror to the surrounding landscape. Difficult, scrutinizing the Obersee, to distinguish the rock of the lake, the blue of the sky and that of the water. The elements merge in a dizzying play of reflections. Nature here seems to be the work of an inspired artist.

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