Mountains on the doorstep
On a clear day you can see the Alps from Munich, and regional trains will get you to the foot of them in roughly an hour or two. That makes the Bavarian capital one of Europe's best city bases for walkers. You can spend the morning on a summit ridge and the evening in a beer garden in town.
The Bavarian Prealps rise sharply from rolling green farmland and lakes. They are lower than the high Alps further south, which means many routes are accessible without technical skills, yet the views over the main chain are spectacular.
Lakes and gentle walks
If you prefer easier terrain, the lakes south of the city are ideal. Paths circle shorelines with meadows and onion-domed churches, and you can often swim in summer, although the water stays fresh. Some lakes have boats that let you walk one way and sail back.
These areas are also excellent for cycling, with flat routes between villages and plenty of places to stop for cake or a cold drink.
Classic mountain hikes
For a proper hike, look at the mountain areas around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Tegernsee and Schliersee lakes or the Isar valley towards the Austrian border. Many summits have mountain huts, where you can stop for a hearty lunch with a view. Some peaks also have cable cars, which let you ride up and walk down, or the reverse, to save your knees.
Germany's highest mountain is in this region too. Reaching its summit is usually done by rack railway and cable car rather than on foot for most day visitors.
Planning your day
Regional day tickets for Bavaria can be good value, especially for small groups. Check the forecast carefully, since afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and start early. Huts and lifts generally operate from late spring to autumn, with snow possible on higher paths until well into June.
Food is part of the Alpine experience. Mountain huts typically serve hearty Bavarian and Austrian dishes such as dumplings, sausages, cheese noodles and big slices of cake, along with cold drinks and buttermilk. Many walkers plan their route around a lunch stop with a terrace. Back in Munich, a beer garden under chestnut trees is the traditional way to end a summer day out. Winter brings a different picture, with snowshoe routes, cross-country skiing and sledging runs, but you'll want proper equipment and up-to-date avalanche information before heading onto higher ground.
Good to know
- Leave Munich early; trains to the mountains fill up on sunny weekends.
- Carry cash, as some mountain huts don't take cards.
- Check whether lifts are running before planning a route that depends on them.