Bavarian Alps, 14-21 August 2024

Bavarian Alps, 14-21 August 2024

Road trip & 4-day trekking

ACTIVE PERIOD
14 - 21 August 2024
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
3
DURATION
8 days
Bavarian Alps, 14-21 August 2024
Price from €1600
PRICE FROM € 1600 - DECLARE INTEREST

Overview

The most magical corner of Germany lies south of Munich: a timeless land with fairy-tale landscapes, wild nature, and vibrant traditions. All the German stereotypes come to life here: monastic beers, sausages and cheese platters, pretzels, locals still dressing in traditional costumes and yodeling when they're happy. Picturesque fairy-tale towns and villages, otherworldly castles that capture the imagination of romantics, waterfalls, abundant wildlife, glacial lakes with swans, sparkling alpine peaks, and thousands of kilometers of marked trails.

Bavaria is generally a very rural area, and the traditions of previous generations are still alive. It also has much more in common, both culturally and geographically, with its neighbors Tyrol and Salzburg in Austria, than with the rest of Germany to the north. Bavaria, before joining Germany, was an independent kingdom for centuries. The Bavarian dynasty, from which our own King Otto came, loved forests and mountains and filled them with royal castles. The Bavarian Alps form a stunningly beautiful natural wall along the Austrian border. The Alps further south may be higher, but Bavaria's mountains rise from the foothills so abruptly and imposingly that they are unforgettable. At the same time, the fact that the mountains are older geologically gives them even more ruggedly carved peaks, offering mesmerizing views.

Berchtesgaden, Germany's only Alpine National Park, is a UNESCO biosphere reserve of stunning beauty. The setting is like a fantasy landscape: steep cliffs, deep dark forests, wild torrents, waterfalls, and glaciers, as well as serene green pastures, idyllic valleys, marmots, rare orchids, countless species of butterflies, ibexes, chamois, red deer, and many pairs of golden eagles. It is a unique microcosm where nature thrives undisturbed. Mount Watzmann (2,713 m), the third highest in Germany, is the superstar of the National Park as it dominates the deep glacial valleys and is considered by Germans to be "the most beautiful mountain in the world." It is no coincidence that the famous musical "The Sound of Music" was filmed entirely here and in the nearby city of Salzburg. Our journey, after an initial introduction to the Bavarian landscape and culture, focuses on a four-day trek through this pristine forest via the excellently organized network of trails and refuges, and concludes with relaxation in the beautiful Salzburg.

View on map
Day 1
Flight to Munich, Bavaria
Day 2
Alpine Castles of the Bavarian Kings
Day 3
Konigsee – Gotzenalm
Day 4
Gotzenalm - Wasseralm
Day 5
Wasseralm - Karlingerhaus
Day 6
Karlingerhaus – St Bartholoma
Day 7
Slazburg
Day 8
Return flight

Activities / Schedule

Flight to Munich, Bavaria

Flight Athens – Munich. Road transfer to the south of Germany, with the first stop at Andechs Abbey, built in the 11th century and perched on a hill overlooking the mountains. Since 1455, 11 different types of excellent monastic beer have been continuously brewed here by the Benedictine order. In the monastery's courtyard, we will taste the monastic beers along with a light meal. The next stop is the picturesque village of Oberammergau, famous for its fairy-tale houses covered with impressive traditional Bavarian frescoes.

Next, we arrive at the foothills of the Zugspitze - the highest mountain in Germany at 2,962m, for our first short and easy, but impressive hike through the narrow and deep Partnach Gorge, one of the most beautiful in the Alps and a protected geopark, passing through a narrow tunnel that was opened by local woodcutters in the 19th century in the walls of the gorge.

In the afternoon, we reach the picturesque medieval town of Füssen at the foot of the Alps for an overnight stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Füssen with bath and breakfast.

Total distance for the day: 225 km, 4 hours

Hiking: 6 km, 2 hours, ascent 200 m, descent 200 m

Alpine Castles of the Bavarian Kings

Morning hike up to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, at an elevation of 1000 m, perhaps the most photographed castle in the world, which inspired Disney's fairy-tale castle.

Next, we ascend the slopes of Mount Tegelberg (1881 m), from where we have a panoramic view of the castles and lakes of the area. After returning, we have free time for an optional visit to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, at Hohenschwangau Castle (the medieval cradle of the royal family), or simply to relax and stroll around the famous Swan Lake! The lake and the tragic life of the last "mad" King Ludwig were the inspiration for Tchaikovsky in writing his famous ballet.

In the afternoon, we will drive to visit Linderhof Palace, a jewel of European Baroque architecture, nestled within the forests of the Alps. In the evening, we will arrive at the picturesque alpine village of Mittenwald for an overnight stay at Hotel Grauer Bär in double rooms with bath and breakfast.

Driving time: 2 hours

Hiking: Distance 6 km / Estimated time: 2.5 hours

Konigsee – Gotzenalm

We drive to Schönau am Königssee, from where we will begin the 4-day hiking traverse of Berchtesgaden National Park. For the next 4 days, we will carry only the essentials in our backpacks during the hikes. We start the hike with an ascent to the Konigsbachalm refuge (1200 m) where we will take a break. We then continue the ascent, following a long uphill but very manageable path to the Gotzenalm refuge (1685 m), where we will spend the night.

Driving time: 3 ½ hours

Hiking: 10 km, 5 ½ hours, +1200 m, -180 m, maximum elevation 1700 m

Gotzenalm - Wasseralm

Morning hike to the summit of Feuerpalfen (1741 m), from where we have the best panoramic view of Lake Königssee and the sheer cliffs of Mount Watzmann (2713 m), the third highest mountain in Germany.

Then, we start the hike from Gotzenalm refuge to Wasseralm refuge (1423 m) where we will spend the night. Today's route is shorter but incredibly impressive.

Hiking: 10 km, 4 ½ hours, +500 m, -750 m, maximum elevation 1730 m

Wasseralm - Karlingerhaus

Traverse from Wasseralm refuge through a series of alpine lakes to Karlingerhaus refuge (1638 m) where we will spend the night.

Optionally, weather permitting, ascent to the saddle of Feldkogel (1886 m) for a panoramic view of the lakes and peaks. Additional 1.5 hours walk and 200m elevation gain + descent.

Hiking: 9 km, 5 hours, +750 m, -500 m, maximum elevation 1735 m

Karlingerhaus – St Bartholoma

Descent towards St. Bartholomew, on the shores of Lake Königsee (605m), from where we take the electric boat to the adjacent Obersee lake. We hike around Obersee lake for about an hour and then take the electric boat back to Schönau am Königsee, crossing the entire Royal Fjord. From there, we transfer by private van to Salzburg, where we will spend the next 2 nights at Hotel Kohlpeter 3* in double rooms with bathroom and breakfast.

Driving time: 40 minutes

Hiking: 12 km, 5 hours, +70 m, -1100 m, maximum elevation 1700 m

Slazburg

Salzburg is the 4th largest city in Austria. Here, the main economic activity is salt mining, as indicated by the city's name. The picturesque medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the past, it has been an important city in Bavaria, hence the strong cultural ties. It's where the young Prince Otto was born and raised before being assigned the Kingdom of Greece. It's also the birthplace and residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with the tradition of classical music still alive. Finally, the musical "The Sound of Music" was filmed here (as well as in the mountains we just descended from).

During our morning tour of the historic center, we'll see many of the locations from the movie. The rest of the day is free for visits to museums and castles or simply for strolling and shopping in the city. There's also the option for an optional van tour to attractions in the outskirts of the city.

We'll stay at the same hotel in Salzburg.

Return flight

Depending on the departure time of the return flight, there will be free time for strolling around the city. If the flights are not the same for the entire group, then transportation to the airport is not included in the price.

Important Info

In a glance

TIMEZONE
UTC/GMT +1 hour (-1 hour from Greece)

Fixed Departures

  • 14 - 21 August 2024

Price

  • 1,600 €/person (for 7-8 people)

  • 1,750 €/person (for 6 people)

Note 1: The above prices are valid for the specified trip, dates, and services described. However, it is possible to customize the trip with any requested changes for small ready-made groups of up to 8 people, with any desired modification of services such as hotel upgrades, transportation means, full board, etc., or vice versa. We are at your disposal if you contact us.

Note 2: The issuance of airline tickets is subject to availability and prices at the time of issuance. Early planning is a crucial factor in securing seats and good prices. Otherwise, flights on which the trip was planned may not be available, and it may be necessary to reschedule departure, return, and possibly the duration of the trip.

Difficulty Level

  • 3/5

General Information

Transportation

Local transportation is provided by an 8 + 1 minibus. The small group size ensures flexibility of movement and options. Airline tickets are not included in the price, and you can either arrange them yourselves once the group is finalized or assign this task to our office. Contact us for more details.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in mountain refuges (3 nights) and hotels (4 nights). The refuges provide blankets, but we recommend using our sleeping bags. We suggest bringing a lightweight sleeping bag that occupies small volume and weight. Additionally, we recommend bringing earplugs to the refuges. Lastly, since sleeping in a bag with synthetic thermal underwear may cause discomfort, it's useful to carry a set of thin cotton pajamas. At the end of the program in Munich, anyone wishing to stay additional days can make the necessary accommodation and flight reservations.

Meals

Breakfast is included in all overnight stays. Other meals are not included, and everyone can choose from the available menu.

Program Change

Our office escort has the discretion to modify the program if weather or other local conditions (strikes, political unrest, etc.) require it, with the main criteria being the smooth progress of the program and the safety of the participants. Any costs arising from such changes are covered by the participants.

Weather

Weather during the summer months varies considerably. There are significant fluctuations, from hot and sunny days to very cold and rainy ones. Therefore, temperatures range from 5°C to 25°C. As we move in the mountains, rains are possible, especially in August. Afternoons are a common time for summer storms, so appropriate equipment is required.

Gratuity

Gratuity is an optional gesture that is often omitted even by satisfied travelers. However, such a meaningful reward to a consistent escort who has gone above and beyond to provide the best possible experience for the participants helps the escort to enjoy his work and maintain his enthusiasm and energy.

Insurance / insurance

The cost of the trip includes Basic travel insurance, which covers various contingencies such as health contingencies (eg injury on a course at an altitude of up to 3,000 m, which requires transportation and hospitalization), missed flight and other cases, even coverage of total cancellation of the trip for an amount up to 5,000 € including cancellation due to covid-19

The coverage included is for ages up to 70 years old, while for ages 70 to 80 an additional amount is required, ask us for information.

In the following link you can see the benefits of the program and contact our insurance consultant to answer your questions about Travel Insurance coverage by Trekking Hellas

Book your seat

To book your seat, you must first read  the booking conditions and, if you accept them, then fill in the PARTICIPATION FORM here.

After completing the Registration Form and within 3 days you will have to send a deposit of 500 €. The payment of the trip must be completed gradually up to one month before departure. Air tickets, in case their issuance is undertaken by our office, must be prepaid. Any cancellation of air tickets is subject to the conditions and restrictions of each airline and is not covered by the cancellation conditions described above.

The deposit and the payment should be sent to the account of ALPHA BANK with IBAN number: GR1001407960796002002013550, under the name OUTDOORS TRAINING IKE.

During the money transfer or deposit process, write down your name and the name of the trip in the REASON field.

Cancellation policy

In case of cancellation, the following cancellation fees apply

  • Any cancellation made from the day of booking until departure, will be charged with 50 € per person for administrative fees. In addition to this amount, the following cancellation fees apply
  • Cancellation from 44 to 30 days before departure: 40% of the total cost of the trip.
  • Cancellation from 29 to 14 days before departure: 75% of the total cost of the trip.
  • Cancellation from 13 days before departure until departure (non show): 100% of the total cost of the trip.

Equipment

  • Hiking backpack 35-45 liters with a waterproof cover, for trekking

  • Waterproof hiking boots (covering the ankle)

  • Waterproof and breathable jacket (not a poncho)

  • 2 pairs of long hiking pants, ideally convertible into shorts

  • 2-4 summer "dry" hiking shirts

  • Fleece or softshell jacket

  • 4 pairs of hiking socks

  • Hat & Beanie

  • Thin gloves

  • Buff neck gaiter

  • Foldable hiking poles

  • Sunscreen, lip balm

  • Sunglasses

  • Water bottle with a capacity of more than one liter

  • Lightweight sleeping bag or liner for the refuges

  • Thin, lightweight slippers for the refuges Headlamp Toilet paper / tissues (not wet wipes that do not decompose)

  • Plastic bags (for garbage, equipment protection, etc.)

  • Hygiene kit (small soap, small toothpaste and toothbrush, small towel, etc.)

  • Plastic food container and spoon-fork for picnics

  • Mobile phone, device chargers, power bank, etc.

  • Dry change of clothes to await us in the vehicle at the end of the hike

Note

Please note that we carry the backpack ourselves, so it should only contain the absolutely necessary clothing and equipment and should be as light as possible. The technique we recommend for not carrying too much clothing and weight is to have only 1 set of mid-layer and outer-layer clothing with you, and only 2 sets of your underwear (thermal underwear, socks), and every day at the refuge, wash with the green soap whatever you wore in the morning.

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Bavarian Alps, 14-21 August 2024

Road trip & 4-day trekking

Price from €1600

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