Alpine Hiking

Day 1: Depart North America
Group members gather for the transatlantic overnight flight to Munich.

Day 2: Salzburg
Welcome to Munich from your tour director. After everything is settled we board our motorcoach and enjoy a picturesque drive South to the Alps. We leave Germany and enter Austria. We check in at our hotel in Salzburg. In the evening we meet for our welcome dinner. D

Day 3: Salzburg
In the morning, we will set off on our guided city stroll through the centre – a pedestrian zone where we visit many historic sites related to Mozart. Salzburg which is also known as the “Rome of the North” has many magnificent monuments from both the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site, Salzburg was ruled for centuries by Prince Archbishops. Highlights of our walk will include Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg Cathedral and the Fortress of Hohensalzburg. The afternoon offers free time to explore Salzburg further on your own. This evening we are in for a special treat – our Mozart Dinner during which young musicians perform and introduce us into the musical world of Mozart. BD BD

​Day 4: Eagles Nest
Today we will venture into the Bavarian Mountains to the Berchtesgaden area. On our first hike we will walk through an enchanted forest to Hintersee. The “Zauberwald “- magic forest is a pristine mountain forest. Thousands of years ago, created by a dramatic rockfall, nature has formed a wild romantic landscape with huge boulders. Our bus will pick us up at the quaint village of Ramsau and brings us to the Obersalzberg. Afterwards we take the shuttle bus up to the peak, the “Eagle’s Nest”. Located at an elevation of 1,834 m, on a clear day the “Eagle´s Nest” offers a magnificent view across the Bavarian Mountains and the Salzburg Alps. From the bus drop off you have either the chance to take the elevator for the last 124 meter elevation change or you walk a short panoramic way up which takes about half an hour. Of course you can take the way down as well instead. In the afternoon we head back to Salzburg for dinner and overnight. BD 6,4 km, 2 hours, easy hike, 120 m elevation change.

Day 5: Salzburg
Today we enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake „Königssee“. We arrive in the morning and board our boat at lake Königssee to visit the church St. Bartholomä, which is situated at the foot of the Mount Watzmann. After 1810, St. Bartholomä got one of the favourite places for the Bavarian kings. Afterwards we continue to Berchtesgaden and visit a salt mine. In the evening back to Salzburg. BD

Day 6: Munich
In the morning we leave Salzburg for Munich and have a guided city tour. Discover well-known sights such as the world famous Hofbräuhaus, Marienplatz and the Viktualien market with its colorful outdoor stalls. Visit the Palace of Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of the Bavarian elector princes and kings with its beautiful and spacious gardens and the site of the Olympic games. In the evening we arrive in Oberammergau, check in at our hotel for dinner and overnight. BD

Day 7: Linderhof
We start our day with a visit to Ettal Monastery where we can catch glimpses of the lives of the Benedictine monks resident here. Dating from 1330, the building has been maintained and restored through the dedication and hard work of the residents and, at times, the knights. Afterwards we visit one of the dream castles of King Ludwig II, the Linderhof. We discover King Ludwigs safe haven within the mountains before we take a leisure walk for 1 hour about 5 km to Graswang were we meet our bus again that brings us back to Oberammergau, or walk another 6 km. BD

Day 8: Oberammergau
Our hike this morning brings us along the Ammer river north to Unterammergau. We walk through the nature reserve Pulvermoos. On a slight incline we walk along Romanshoehe to Christuskreuz, which offers a magnificent view over the Ammer Valley. We stop at the mountain lodge Romanshoehe for lunch. In the afternoon continue along Gregorichapel back to Oberammergau. BD 11 km, 4 hours, 143 m elevation change, easy hike. BD

Day 9: Neuschwanstein
This morning we leave Oberammergau. Our first stop is the Wieskirche, a pilgrimage church for the scourged saviour. We visit one of the most beautiful rokoko churches of southern Germany. Hidden in the seclusion of the mountain is our next stop where we will visit our second dream castle of King Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein. We will have a tour of this extraordinary castle, which testifies the vision of Bavaria’s fairytale King. In the afternoon we cross into Austria again. Our destination is a hidden secret, the enclave Kleinwalsertal, an Austrian high valley, which can be entered only from German territory. We check in at our Hotel Almhof Rupp, a privately owned hotel, which is well known for its delicious cuisine. In the evening enjoy your dinner. BD

Day 10: Riezlern Kanzelwand
Our day starts with a cable car ride to the top of the mountain right next to our hotel, the Kanzelwand. Within 10 minutes we cover 870 meters elevation change to almost 2,000 m above sea level. Enjoy the spectacular view down the mountain as well to the Austrian side as to the German side. Have a lovely walk to the neighboring peak Fellhorn, which takes about an hour to go up. Afterwards follow the way down the mountain for about 45 minutes and stop off in the quaint mountain lodge „Adlerhorst“ for a refreshment. Take your time to learn more about the mountain between two countries. Afterwards you decide whether you want to follow the hiking path further down the mountain back to Riezlern where we cover the 870 meters elevation change in about 2 hours downhill or whether you walk 15 minutes back to take the cable car. In the evening dinner at Almhof Rupp. BD

Day 11: Breitachklamm
After breakfast we discover a magic place within the Alps, a natural monument. We walk through a canyon, a small creek that is bordered by high cliffs. The Breitachklamm is the deepest gorge of Middle Europe. We walk about 1.5 hours at the edge of the creek Breitach and have fantastic views on the raging stream. After almost 3 km we end in Tiefenbach. Our bus brings us to the mountain resort of Oberstdorf for lunch and time on own. In the afternoon, back to Riezlern. BD

Day 12: Söllereck
Today we take the bus to Germany to Mount Söllereck. At the foot of the mountain you find a fun park with a mountain coaster for your choice. We ride again with a cable car to the top of the mountain and follow a high hiking path, crossing the border back to Austria. The 6 km distance walking tour with about 300 meters downhill takes 2 hours with a stop at the mountain lodge „Mittelalp“. Enjoy a beer or fresh milk from own cows or fresh handmade Austrian products. The hike ends next to our hotel. BD

Day 13: Riezlern
Enjoy a free day today in the beautiful landscape of the Austrian Alps. Local buses and cable cars are included. Take the cable car to Walmendinger Horn for an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. Or take the bus to Oberstdorf, the first village in Germany after leaving the Austrian enclave, for some shopping. In the evening we meet for the farewell gourmet gala dinner. BD

Day 14: Riezlern
All too soon we have to say Good Bye to the mountains and leave Riezlern for Munich where we catch our flights back to North America. B