King Ludwig Way

Hiking on the King Ludwig Way in Bavaria

The King Ludwig Path lives up to its name by guiding you through the places where the famous aristocrat, King Ludwig II, left his mark. This long-distance path offers a captivating journey through stunning natural landscapes, charming baroque villages, and the picturesque Lake Starnberg.

One highlight of the route is the opportunity to ascend the 988m high Peißenberg, which rewards you with breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps and the enchanting Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.

Beginning at the serene Lake Starnberg, where the fairytale king tragically met his end, the King Ludwig Way meanders through the Alpine foothills and leads to the castles of the Allgäu region, where he spent his youth. Along the way, you'll encounter remarkable highlights and Bavarian cultural treasures, all set against the backdrop of a landscape cherished by King Ludwig II, inspiring him to commission several castles and palaces.

This journey also takes you through quaint monastery towns, peaceful villages, and scenic paths that wind past lakes and moors. Be sure to savour the awe-inspiring panoramic vistas of the Ammergauer Alps, the Zugspitze summit, and the Allgäu mountains, just as King Ludwig once did. Explore the King Ludwig Path and follow in the footsteps of this iconic monarch while immersing yourself in Bavaria's natural and cultural wonders.

Book this holiday: King Ludwig Way

Details about the hiking holiday on the King Ludwig Way

On the King Ludwig Trail, you'll encounter charming villages, magnificent castles, and grand palaces, with the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle standing out. Along this trail, you'll also be treated to breathtaking views of renowned peaks, from the Großvenediger to the Zugspitze, and the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in either Lake Starnberg or Lake Ammersee.

Experience the authentic Bavarian lifestyle throughout your journey on the King Ludwig Trail. This delightful eight-day walking tour immerses you in pristine Bavarian nature, providing ample opportunities for relaxation. Fortunately, there is an abundance of accommodation options available in the Alpine foothills, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

The highlights of this walking tour at a glance:

  • Facing the famous peaks: You hike on the hilly foothills of the Alps with a view of the Ammergau Alps and the Zugspitze.

  • Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: To this day, King Ludwig has left his mark in several monasteries and castles such as Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

  • Bavarian lakes, the Starnberger See and Ammersee: Bavaria's most popular seaside resorts. Enjoy the panoramic viewpoints on the route.

Worth knowing about the King Ludwig Way

On the first day, you can enjoy the flair of Lake Starnberg. After making your way to Bernried, you will have plenty of time to explore the town. For example, the Bernried Abbey or the "Museum of Fantasy". On relaxing walks, which are between 13 and 21 kilometres long, you walk from Lake Starnberg to the endpoint in Füssen.

Route summary

You walk on walking paths, forest trails, and asphalted paths. For tours through the Alpine foothills with a walking time of 4 to max. 6 hours, stamina and a good basic fitness level are required.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Book this holiday: King Ludwig Way

Tour information
Medium
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 104 km
Steven Rittey
Steven Rittey
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

Through the nature reserve on the shores of the lake, you will hike over Ilka Heights, with a picturesque view of Lake Starnberg, to Deixlfurter Weiher. Passing pretty Bavarian villages with beautiful beer gardens, you reach the famous Andechs Monastery with its own brewery. A short bus ride to Herrsching and a leisurely boat trip to Dießen.

ca. 5 to 6 hours
21 km
270 m
170 m

From Dießen via beautiful meadow paths and past the castle chapel, towards the beautiful and peaceful forests. Over hilltops with stunning vistas, your walk leads to Wessobrunn, where you can admire the famous 'grey duke' (historic clock tower) and the natural monument Tassiolinde. In the distance, the Zugspitze greets you.

ca. 4 to 5 hours
13 km
240 m
80 m

Today you will discover the typical Bavarian foothills of the Alps, with its sleepy villages and remote moors. You hike steeply up to the Hohe Peissenberg, a great viewing point with a weather station and a fascinating alpine panorama. Then descend again to Hohenpeissenberg and continue at your leisure through forests and meadows to Peiting.

ca. 4,5 to 6 hours
20 km
410 m
400 m

From Peiting, your hiking trail leads to the romantic Ammerschlucht gorge. Numerous bridges lead through the gorge above the Ammer to Rottenbuch. There you will be met by a particularly beautiful monastery church. Along hilly meadows and with a beautiful view of the Alps, you walk to Wildsteig.

ca. 4 hours
14 km
270 m
110 m

From Wildsteig via idyllic marshes to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Over rolling hills, through forests and colourful meadows with a view of the Allgäu Alps and the Koning-Ludwig-land on the Forggensee further towards your destination in Buching.

ca. 4 to 5 hours
19 km
150 m
220 m

You walk through nature reserves on the Hegratsrieder See and then either continue on the Forggensee-Uferweg or past the impressive castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau to Schwansee. Via the Calvary, you reach the historic market town of Füssen.

ca. 4,5 hours
17 km
300 m
300 m

Route information

The relaxed walks are alternated via hiking and forest trails and on paved paths. The tours through the hilly foothills of the Alps only require a little stamina and good basic condition. The walks vary from 4 to max. 6 hours a day.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights. All bookings are ABTA-protected.

Price calculation and check availability: King Ludwig Way

Place of arrival: Bernried am Starnberger See
  Season 1
13.04.2024 - 05.05.2024
16.09.2024 - 06.10.2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 2
21.06.2021 - 04.07.2021
06.05.2024 - 16.06.2024
26.08.2024 - 15.09.2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 3
21.06.2021 - 04.07.2021
17.06.2024 - 25.08.2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
King Ludwig Way, DE-MUWSF-08X
Base price
829.00
879.00
959.00
Single room surcharge 269.00 269.00 269.00

Hotel information: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** hotels and guesthouses.

Season 1
Apr 13, 2024 - May 5, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 2
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
May 6, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 3
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
King Ludwig Way, DE-MUWSF-08X
Base price
Single room surcharge
829.00
269.00
879.00
269.00
959.00
269.00

Hotel information: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** hotels and guesthouses.

Season 1
Apr 13, 2024 - May 5, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024
Season 2
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
May 6, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Season 3
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024
Bernried am Starnberger See
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
Füssen / surroundings
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
99.00
39.00
89.00
69.00
99.00
39.00
89.00
69.00
99.00
39.00
89.00
69.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Bernried am Starnberger See
  Season 1
Apr 13, 2024 - May 5, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 2
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
May 6, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 3
Jun 21, 2021 - Jul 4, 2021
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Bernried am Starnberger See
Double room p.p. 99.00 99.00 99.00
Single room surcharge 39.00 39.00 39.00
Füssen / surroundings
Double room p.p. 89.00 89.00 89.00
Single room surcharge 69.00 69.00 69.00
Prices per person in GBP

Included services and travel information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights as described, including breakfast
  • Boat trip Herrsching-Dessen
  • Luggage transfer(s) max. 1 piece of luggage 20 kg per person
  • Travel folder 1x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
  • Bus rides Andechs-Herrsching, approximately €6 pp, Peißenberg-Peiting approximately €5 pp, Steingaden-Buching approximately €5 pp
  • (Optional) Return transfer to Bernried for €75 per person, surcharge dog €29 per dog. Pre-booking required, to be paid on site
Arrival information
  • Airport: Munich Airport, about 45 minutes by train to Bernried
  • Train: Bernried station on Lake Starnberg
  • Parking: Free parking at the hotel, reservation not necessary
  • Return journey from Füssen to Bernried by train, duration approx. 3 hours (two changes)
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Bernried

Hotel Seeblick 3***

www.seeblick-bernried.de

Dießen am Ammersee

Hotel Seefelder Hof 4****

www.seefelderhof.com

Wessobrunn

Gasthof zur Post

www.post-wessobrunn.de

Peiting

Alpenhotel Pfaffenwinkel 3***

www.hotelpfaffenwinkel.de

Wildsteig

Gasthof zum Strauß

www.gasthof-zum-strauss.de

Buching

Alpchalet Schwanstein 3***

www.alpchalet-schwanstein.de

Füssen/Surroundings

Hotel Hirsch 3***

www.hotelfuessen.de

Why book with Active on Holiday?

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