The beautiful Allgäu region of Bavaria

Nature, relaxation and culture around Neuschwanstein Castle.

A report on one of Bavaria’s most beautiful regions.

A place like a fairytale

The Allgäu region in Bavaria is one of the regions in Germany that combines nature, culture and recreation in a unique way. Especially around the world-famous Schloss Neuschwanstein. From the castle, which sits majestically on a hill above Hohenschwangau, a landscape unfolds that looks like a painting, green meadows, clear mountain lakes, and in the background, the gently rising Alps, adorned with the beautiful Allgäu cows. Renowned companies also have their headquarters here.

Romance, history, and natural beauty converge here. It’s a perfect destination for hikers, nature lovers, and culture vultures alike. It’s a wonderful place to unwind.

As soon as you arrive at the station by train, you can see the steaming mountains and the green grass in summer.

picture: N.Winkert

Easy hikes and walks around the castle

If you want to explore the region, you will find numerous easy hiking trails which are ideal for beginners and families.

Recommended routes:

1. Circular route around the Alpsee 

A picturesque path directly below Hohenschwangau Castle, about 5 km long, easy to walk, with rest areas and viewpoints.
You can’t go all the way around it by bike alone.

2. Pöllat Gorge Trail

Not a short but impressive path through a small gorge below the castle, somewhat steep, but well secured.

3. Schwansee-circular trail

A nature trail with a view of the mountains and the castle, especially beautiful in the morning light.

4. Lechfall and Old Town of Füssen

A leisurely stroll through the old town to the roaring waterfall on the Lech River is ideal for an afternoon. It’s also possible in bad, very rainy weather, as it’s not far back to your accommodation.

For Experienced and Sports enthusiasts is the Ascent by bike for the Alatsee. A wonderful adventure, even easy to do with older children. After all, you can always take breaks.

Very steep, but breathtaking. Once there, you can stroll around the beautiful, shimmering lake, have a picnic at a lovely table, or visit the lovely restaurant, which is located right on the lake and is also a hotel. A dip in the water in summer is also pleasant. If you still have energy, you can continue up to an alpine pasture and continue hiking. Or you can stay at the hotel on the Alatsee.

You can find more information here: ALATSEE Hotel & Restaurant: Hotel Alatsee

Of course, it is also possible to drive up to the Alatsee by car.

Here are some photos from our tour:

Lake Alatsee

picture: N.Winkert

picture: N.Winkert

Route between the two lakes Alatsee and Weißensee

picture: N.Winkert

Experienced hiking tour: Füssen to Marienbrücke

For experienced hikers there is a challenging tour from the town centre of Füssen to the Marienbrücke which offers spectacular views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding mountain landscape.

Route description

• Starting point: Füssen Old Town
  
• Goal: Marienbrücke over the Pöllatschlucht Gorge, above Neuschwanstein Castle
  
• Distance: approx. 6–7 km (round trip, depending on the route)
  
• Duration :2.5–3 hours (without breaks)
  
• Difficulty: medium to difficult, due to steep climbs and stairs
  

The tour begins in the picturesque old town of Füssen, leads through quiet forest areas and along well-marked hiking trails along the slope above the Pöllat Gorge. Along the way, hikers overcome several staircase sections, which require surefootedness and some fitness.

I also recommend taking a power bank and a paper map with you, in addition to a fully charged cell phone.

Highlights along the way

1. Pöllat Gorge 

Impressive gorge with roaring waters and imposing rocks

2. Views of Neuschwanstein Castle 

Especially beautiful from the Marienbrücke, where the famous perspective for photos is created

3. Forest areas

Rpeaceful nature trails, birdsong and fresh mountain air

4. Photo spots

Small viewpoints directly along the way, ideal for breaks

Equipment and clothing

• hiking boots with good profile (stairs and slippery areas)
  
• Functional clothing, multi-layered (forest can be damp, mountain air cool)
  
• Rain jacket/windbreaker
  
• Water bottle and small snacks
  
• Optional: Trekking poles, especially when returning on the stairs
  

Tips for the tour

• Start early to avoid the crowds at the Marienbrücke
  
• Plan photo time: The bridge is a popular photo spot, so be patient
  
• Avoid fire and open cooking: Use only official campsites, no fire pits in the forest
  
• Kelly Kettle can be used to make tea in designated areas
  

Bicycle and accommodation

• If you want to shorten the tour, you can stop in Füssen, rent bicycles and drive to the valley floor

Bike tours and rental options

The Allgäu is also a paradise for cyclists. In Füssen and Schwangau there are several Bicycle rentals, which offer E-Bikes.

They offer both, also classic trekking bikes. This way, you can comfortably cycle along Lake Forggensee or the King Ludwig Cycle Path, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Or even cycle to Lake Alatsee or Lake Weißensee. I think classic bikes are great, as you have to use your full muscle power.

It’s also great that you usually get bikes with indestructible tires, so you don’t have to worry if you run over something sharp. We were also promised a pick-up service, which we never used. This means that if your bike breaks somewhere, you can call and the bike rental company will pick it up. You can then take the bus back to your accommodation, for example.

Helmets are available for rent there, but we brought our own for hygiene reasons.

We rented our bikes here:

Verleih – Bike Füssen

picture: N.Winkert

The right clothing for the Allgäu

The weather in the Allgäu can change quickly because you are in the mountains. Therefore, it is worth layered clothing to pay attention:

• Breathable functional clothing for hikes
  
• rain jacket or Windbreaker
  
• Comfortable hiking shoes with a good profile
  
• In summer: Headgear and sunscreen
  
• In autumn and spring: lightweight fleece jacket or Softshell jacket
• If you get cold quickly you have to dress thicker
  

If you are looking for suitable clothing, you will find a good selection at:

• Globetrotter (www.globetrotter.de)
  
• Bergfreunde.de
• Tschibo
• Jack Wolfskin
• Decathlon– especially for price-conscious beginners
• Lidl also recently had waterproof hiking boots for around 18 euros

Enjoy nature – but with consideration

Many visitors like to have a small picnic or make a cup of tea on the way. The Kelly Kettle, available for example on Amazon.

It works with small pieces of wood, leaves, or cones and doesn’t require a gas burner. It is perfect for outdoor trips. We’ve already cooked ramen soup in a small pot and grilled a small dish. I find shrink-wrapped items to be ideal, as they don’t spoil so quickly, for example marinated tofu. Of course, you eat something different in the height of summer.

I will be using the Kelly Kettle more often in cold weather or simply to teach the children how to prepare food outdoors and to teach them how to handle fire.

Here you can buy the set, which includes everything you need:

https://amzn.to/3KO0sBr

However, the following applies:

Open fire is only permitted under certain conditions, mostly at official campsites or designated fire pits.
In the forest or on meadows it is strictly forbidden, as there is a high risk of fire. Please always be considerate of nature.

Accommodation tip, family-friendly and central

If you want to stay overnight in Füssen, Ostheimer Family Hostel is recommended. We were very satisfied.
It is centrally located in the old town and offers cozy, well-kept rooms at fair prices. Perfect as a starting point for excursions to the castle, Lake Forggensee, or the mountains.

The friendly atmosphere and proximity to restaurants, bakeries, and shops made the stay particularly pleasant. We needed a new T-shirt and were able to quickly run downstairs and go to the shop next door in the evening after a day outdoors. Great.

You’re right in the city center and can quickly find shops if you need anything, like hiking boots, nice wool socks, or other clothing. There’s also a nice supermarket called Netto at the train station. It’s ideal for those who cook their own meals. You can get everything there, from fruit to canned goods and pre-packaged items for bike tours. Aldi, which is closer to Lake Forggensee, also has a wide range, including many vegan products like vegan barbecue skewers.

picture: N.Winkert

picture: N.Winkert

Conclusion

The Allgäu region surrounding Neuschwanstein Castle is a must-experience destination, whether on foot, by bike, or simply enjoying the view. The region perfectly combines nature, culture, and relaxation. With the right equipment and a sense of respect for the environment, nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable stay.

Arrive whenever it suits you. A day trip is also possible from Munich.

If you’re staying in Munich, you can also quickly get to the Allgäu by train. It’s just over two hours away. However, it’s best to stay longer in the Allgäu so you can travel everywhere and see everything. You simply need time. If you cycle a lot, you also need days to recover. I recommend accommodations with a bathtub. The Ostheimer Hostel had one. There’s also a shoe drying facility in the basement for used, damp hiking boots. Simply fantastic.

They also have a kitchen upstairs, with a fitted kitchen, a large, beautiful dining table, and a refrigerator. Dishes and utensils are also there. Almost like being at home. You can put your groceries in the fridge and prepare a nice meal in the evening.

Of course, you share the space with other guests and those who want to cook and prepare meals. Washing pans by hand and emptying the dishwasher are also quick and easy.

Here is the website of the family-run hostel.

Rooms – Hostel Füssen, double and shared rooms in Füssen near Neuschwanstein Castle

Recommendations

In the meantime I had discovered a beautiful rose skin oil in a Rewe store, which also came from the Allgäu. It’s natural cosmetics, of course. It smells so wonderfully of roses and leaves your skin feeling so soft.

The company is called Bergland.

You can order it directly here:

Rose Skin Oil | 22018

Another thing I like is jojoba oil, which is actually a wax. It’s good for facial skin and even hair.

There are other products from the company on Amazon.

I also bought the oil at Rewe, but it is also available online here: Jojoba oil 125 ml | Abtswinder.

Read more:

Füssen – Urlaub im Allgäu bei Schloss Neuschwanstein

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