The King Ludwig Way
Bavaria
Germany
Europe
Image by Markus Fischer from Pixabay
Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay
Official Website
Insurance
Flights
Marker Map
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Leave Munich on any day except Saturday as your hotel for Monday isn't open Mondays
Vital Statistics
117.7 Kms from Berg on Lake Starnberg to Fussen on Lake Forggen in Bavaria, Southern Germany over 8 days. The first and last days with nor a lot of walking. Leave your main pack at the hotel in Munich and do the walk out of your day pack.
When
Spring Summer and Autumn - May to mid October. Spring has blossoms and Autumn has stunning colours.
Between mid September and the first week of October things are very busy due to Octoberfest and it will be hard to get bookings.
Highlights & Scenery
The stunning gorge of the Ammerschlucht - Bavaria’s "Grand Canyon", Neuschwanstein Castle, Herrenchiemsee Castle, Linderhof Castle, the Königshaus on Schachen and many more, breath taking views of the Alps from the highest point.
Beautiful scenery of the Bavarian Alpine foothills, little Monastery Towns, Picture Postcard Bavarian Villages unique to the area with Beer Gardens, meadows, forests, lakes and moors.
Before & After
Fly into Munich and spend a couple of days looking around. You could combine this with a trip to the Munich Octoberfest. You'll need to get your bookings in early.
Spend at least two nights her so you have enough time to see the castles.
Start & Finish
From Berg on idyllic Lake Starnberg where Ludwig II tragically died to the iconic castles of Fussen. Trace King Ludwig's journey in reverse from where he met his demise to the castles he built and is remembered for. The castle in Berg around a kilometer north of where he drowned is not open to the public but the Votive Chapel is.
Fun Facts
Your dog can come along
King Ludwig II of Bavaria was well loved and known by a few names - the Fairy Tale King - the Swan King - the Dream King and Mad King Ludwig
Transport
Catch a plane or train into Munich
Catch the S-Bahn to Starnberg
Catch a boat from Starnberg to Bern and from Herrsching jetty to Diessen am Ammersee
You can catch a train from Hoher Peissenberg down the mountain to Peiting Nord Station on day 4 of the walk
Catch the S-Bahn back to Munich from Fussen
Accommodation
Munich
25 hours the Royal Bavarian ****
Excellent location very close to the main train station and the "Old Town", fitness centre and sauna, restaurant, bar, bike hire, pets allowed - charges may apply
Starnberg 1N
Your dog is welcome, on the lake shore steps from the steam boat jetty and the S Bahn Station, recently renovated, some rooms have balconies overlooking the lake, fabulous buffet breakfast included, restaurant with meals out on the garden terrace, cafe
Diessen 1N
Excellent location close to everything including the ferry, exceptional breakfast included, terrace, pets allowed, cafe
Paterzell 1N
Family run, restaurant (Closed Monday), sun terrace, 5 automatic bowling alleys, not sure of their pet policy - if you are walking with your dog you will need to contact them and make the relevent arrangements
Peiting 1N
Great location close to the city centre and 750m to the north train station, sun terrace, restaurant, ATM, every room has a balcony, very good breakfast included, Pets are NOT allowed
Close to the Alpenhotel ,one kilometer from the east train station, spa area - including steam room, sauna, infra red cabin and massage facilities (sounds tempting), restaurant with Bavarian cuisine and very good breakfast included, Pets ARE welcome and free
Wildsteig 1N
Landhotel und Gastof kirchberger ***
Family run hotel with a ballroom and views of the Bavarian Mountains, sun terrace, lawn, herb garden, restaurant serving traditional Bavarian fare, bar, massages available, pets allowed
Buching 1N
Family run hotel, half board option with 4 course meal, 2 swimming pools, sauna, steam room, wellness centre, restaurant, bar, fabuloud breakfast included, cafe, massage, pets allowed on request - may be charges
Sun terrace, restaurant, fabulous breakfast included, pets welcome
Fussen 2 NIGHTS to have more time at the Castles
Excellent central location near the "Old Town", spa and wellness centre, restaurant, bar, cafe, sauna, massage, pets allowed - charges may apply
Organise
Get all of your hotels booked first
You need to book the castles online in advance
Packing List
A good light weight day pack - leave your main pack back at the hotel in Munich
Good quality and worn in walking boots or shoes
Wet weather gear
Vaseline - rub over your feet to escape blisters and any other parts that rub or chafe
Hat, sun glasses, sun block, mozzie spray
Light weight quick drying clothes
Water bladder and water bottle
Trail Map in a weather proof case
Cell Phone, electronic gear and chargers
Plastic bags
Good socks
Something warm
Visas
Flights
Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) -
Is the largest airport and main hub in Germany. It has dierect flights to 294 destinations in 93 countries in every continent except Australasia.
has direct flights to 209 destinations in 60 countries including Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, North America, Asia and many in Europe. If you don't have a direct flight it will be easy to find a connection. If you are in Europe it's probably easier to catch the train.
About
DAY 1 STARNBERG Arrival and 6kms 1½ hour walk back from BERG
Catch the S-Bahn from Munich for the 30 minute trip, book into your hotel, catch the steam boat to Berg and start your journey where Ludwig's ended. He drowned in mysterious circumstances about a kilometer south of the Berg Castle which is not open to the public but the nearby Votive Chapel is.
When you're ready to return the King Ludwig Way hugs the edge of the lake back to Starnberg.
DAY 2 STARNBERG to DIESSEN 20 Kms
The trail starts close to the Water Treatment Plant by Maisinger-Schlucht Strasse where it turns into Nibelungenweg. Stroll alongside waterways and past lakes until you get to Andech's Monastery which has it's own brewery. You will also see a beer garden and a pub you might like to stop at. This is sounding more like a pub crawl than a pilgrimage. Continue on to Herrsching jetty where you will catch the ferry across to your overnight stop at Diessen am Ammersee.
DAY 3 DIESSEN to PATERZELL 18 Kms
Today you will pass though the charming alleyways of Diessen and past the famous
Then you will be going through the
region beloved by Luwig II.
You will also pass through dense forests and gentle meadows until you reach
Continue on to Paterzell where you will spend the night.
DAY 4 PATERZELL to PEITING 18½ Kms
Pass by some sleepy villages as you make your way to the foot of Hoher Peissenberg. There is a train line at the top which will cut off 6 kms of your downhill walk to Peiting for the night.
DAY 5 PEITING to WILDSTEIG 14Kms
Your walk today will take you through dense forest to one of the highlights of the trip. The stunning gorge of the Ammerschlucht, Bavaria’s "Grand Canyon". Navigating the steps and bridges will add to the fun element of todays walk. Follow the path to Rottenbuch and make your way to the quiet little village of Wildsteig where you will spend the night.
DAY 6 WILDSTEIG to BUCHING 18Kms
This morning you're off to the
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wieskirche.
A million visitors from all over the world come to the amazing Pilgrim Church of Wies every year.
From here there is a fork in the path. One way goes via Steingaden, you want to go the shorter other way via Trauchgau. Overnight in Buching.
DAY 7 BUCHING to FUSSEN 19 Kms
Today is a spectacular affair with the famous castles and Pollatschlucht gorge. Divide your time up over a couple of days so you get a good look at everything. Finish up in the historic old market town of Fussen.
DAY 8 - ? FUSSEN
Spend more time at the castles and looking around Fussen
Fitness Level
6/10
Easy to moderate - 1 significant ascent which can be shortened by train
Tips
Have all of your accommodation booked early
The trail is well marked with a blue K with a crown on a white backgroundwith the words Konig Ludwig Weg
The trail will get busier as you get closer to the castles at the end
No photography is allowed inside Neuschwanstein Castle
Have a German translator on your phone
Safety
Walk with someone
Eat & Drink
Breakfast is available at all of the hotels, they will make lunch if you ask them the day before and most of them have restaurants where you could have dinner.
Most of the time you will also have many restaurants and cafes where you can get a meal. You will always be able to stop in a village for lunch which you could alternate with a few picnics out on the trail with a prepared lunch.
There are plenty of pilgims taps along the way to fill up your water bottle or shops to buy drinks. Also you will find brewerys, beer garden and pubs if you're feeling thirsty.
How about some Schnapps Tasting in Fussen to ease those aching muscles.
Flora & Fauna
Coniferous forest and meadow.
Buzzards, kites, jays, roe deer, squirrels, frogs, ducks, coots, great crested grebes and cormorants.
History
The trail named after former Bavarian King Luwig II has been open to walkers since 1977.
Ludwig II was born (in Munich), grew up, ruled, built castles and died in the areas of the walk.
Books, Movies & TV Series
A lot of books have been written about the controversial King Ludwig II
Ludwig II the movie - in German
Website
https://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-1445/the-king-ludwig-way/
Souvenirs
There is a souvenir shop in Hohenschwangau Castle
And Neuschwanstein Castle of course
Fussen is known for its violin making.
Extra
You could take a train, or a plane from Munich to Spain, France, Italy, Serbia, Bulgaria or Croatia and do any of the trips contained in those 'Countries'.
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