Bavaria: the romantic Alps

The Bavarian Alps are particularly photogenic. The large Bavarian plateau that extends in southern Germany south of the magnificent city of Munich, sees its southern horizon barred by the crest of the Bavarian mountains. A barrier whose peaks are well over 2000 m high and which runs across the whole of southern Germany between Lake Constance and Salzburg, along the border with Austria.

This very particular geography hinders the movement of disturbances coming from the north which come up against the Alpine barrier and end up pouring their showers of rain or snow, depending on the season on this mountain region in Bavaria. This is why you will find a dominant color in summer: green. Pastures, meadows, meadows... everything is green. And white in winter: covered in frost during big frosts, or snow for long weeks, these fields sheltered from the southerly winds keep winter conditions for a long time.

This explains why mountain villages in Bavaria were able to develop into ski resorts despite the low altitude, and even at the bottom of these rather flat valleys, which allowed the development of Nordic disciplines such as cross-country skiing and biathlon. Berchtesgaden, Ruhpolding, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf…these resorts are located at altitudes of around 700-800 metres, that is to say at almost hilly altitudes, which would make these places absolutely unsuitable for the development of winter sports if they were located in France, in the Western Alps. This is an example of the effect of relief on climatic conditions.

However, don't expect dull, flat landscapes like a Finnish tundra! There are high mountains everywhere, and four distinct geographical and tourist areas can be identified.

The Allgäu Alps, the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Bavaria

This is where the plateaus framed by mountains form the most beautiful postcards, both in the Oberstdorf valley and in the Füssen plateau, near the very famous Neuschwanstein castle (you know... the one that looks like the one in Sleeping Beauty, or vice versa). The entry point to this region is Kempten. From Strasbourg, it is only a three-hour drive. Walks around the Forggensee lake, hikes in the Kleinwalsertal or in the Ammergebirge, and visits to the castles of Füssen and Neuschwanstein. Cycling is ideal here, because the reliefs are not very pronounced. The Allgäu Alps are a very beautiful mountain destination in Bavaria.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, mountain village in Bavaria

The German ski resort! At the foot of the Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany at 2962 metres above sea level, accessible by cable car, the ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen with its old town centre with its decorated facades, as is often the case in Bavaria and Austria, and its charming hotels, it occupies a large basin with very wooded surroundings.

Easy to reach in all seasons, thanks to a motorway and a railway, this small mountain town in Bavaria is located 1h30 from Munich, and thus becomes one of the easiest resorts to access in this part of the Alps. From here you can switch to Austria and go skiing at Seefeld, an Olympic site, or go to Innsbruck, about sixty kilometers away, or go and photograph the decorated facades of the charming little village of Oberammergau (notably the frescoes representing the Passion, begun at the end of a plague epidemic that was raging in the region).

The Bavarian Oberland: the mountain country of Bavaria.

This region is located just south of Munich, 1-1 hours by train or road.

It happens to see at the Munich train station – right in the city centre of one of the largest European cities! – weekend skiers already wearing their ski boots, in colourful outfits, ready to go down the slopes of Bayrischzell or Spitzing. This train stops at the foot of the slopes…frankly a luxury for winter sports enthusiasts!

Hiking in summer, winter sports in the cold season, in the mountains or bike tours around the lakes in the region, such as the very beautiful Tegernsee or the smaller Schliersee in a neighboring valley.

Here the Bavarian mountains are not as high as 2000 metres, but are covered with thick forests which allow all adventurers to enjoy the landscapes, the wildlife and nature in general.

Berchtesgaden National Park and the most beautiful mountain lake in Bavaria.

Around the famous spa town of Berchtesgaden, this region is home to the most famous and romantic mountain lake in Bavaria. The Königsee!

Its turquoise waters, in which the forests of the surrounding mountains are reflected, take on different colors throughout the day and seasons and invite relaxation and meditation.

Not far from the centre of the spa town is the Eagle's Nest (Eagle's Nest).

Today it is a panoramic viewpoint over the region, and the hike to this summit is definitely worth the detour.

This place is often confused with the Berghof, which was Hitler's second home, but in reality the Kehlsteinhaus was built on behalf of the Nazi party for receptions and working meetings of the regime's diplomacy.

None of that, of course, today. What we will remember above all is that it is a magnificent point of arrival at the top of a mountain and from where we will take superb photos.

To reach this region from Munich (less than two hours), you pass by the banks of a vast lake: the Chiemsee.

On an island you can visit the very romantic Herrenchiemsee Palace, the little Versailles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Last point which will not leave lovers of music and baroque art indifferent, Berchtesgaden is only 25 kilometers from Salzburg…

This is how to combine art, culture and nature in the mountains!

Ludwig II's castles in the Bavarian mountains.

We can't leave the Bavaria not to mention the Bavarian castles of Ludwig II.

We have already named two of them. Neuschwanstein, near Füssen and Herrenchiemsee, but you shouldn't miss the others: Hohenschwangau, Linderhof, Berg...

Visiting all this and enjoying the mountains is possible from Munich, which is an excellent, easy-to-reach stopover for visiting the region.

But for those who want to bathe in the mountains, the same destinations are accessible from Innsbruck, in Tyrol, Austria.

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