Bavarian Foothills - Hiking from Munich to Garmisch

Itinerary

• Day 1: Individual arrival to Munich
  Your walking holiday begins in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. On arrival, we recommend taking time to explore the historic city centre on foot. Immerse yourself in the local Bavarian way of life as you discover its many sights, and round off the day with a relaxing visit to one of Munich’s traditional beer gardens.
  Overnight stay in Munich
  
  
  For arrivals from 19 September 2026: a two-night stay in Schäftlarn instead of a one-night stay in Munich.
• Day 2: Munich – Schäftlarn (approx. 12 km, walking time: approx. 3.5 to 4 hours, +200 m, -100 m)
  Begin your walk by following the gentle course of the River Isar through peaceful woodlands and meadows. Walking along a section of the historic Way of St James, you will make your way towards the impressive Schäftlarn Monastery. Be sure to visit its traditional beer garden, where you can enjoy Bavarian delicacies accompanied by freshly brewed beer. After this well-earned break, a short but steep climb will lead you out of the Isar Valley and on towards Schäftlarn, your destination for the day.
  Overnight stay in Schäftlarn
• Day 3: Schäftlarn – Bernried (approx. 18 km, walking time: approx. 4 to 4.5 hours, +150 m, -150 m)
  Today’s walk takes you through the renowned Maisinger Gorge to Lake Maising, a secluded moorland lake set amidst beautiful natural surroundings. You will then continue to Possenhofen, where Empress Sissi spent her childhood. Passing the picturesque island ‚Roseninsel‘ and Sissi’s beloved lakeside lido, you will follow the scenic shoreline path along Lake Starnberg.
  Overnight stay in Bernried
• Day 4: Bernried – Kochel (approx. 16 km, walking time: approx. 4 hours, +50 m, -50 m)
  Start your day with a visit to the Benedictine monastery in Bernried, before a gentle stroll through the tranquil Bernrieder Park and its scenic nature reserves. As you continue, the village of Seeshaupt appears ahead, nestled at the southern tip of Lake Starnberg. From here, the trail leads you towards the stunning Osterseen lakes, where youll be rewarded with spectacular views onto Mount Zugspitze.
  Overnight stay in Kochel
• Day 5: Day of rest or circular walk lake Kochelsee (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 3 to 3.5 hours, +200 m, -200 m)
  Spend a relaxed day in a landscape that has inspired renowned artists such as Kandinsky and Franz Marc. Visit the impressive Lainbach Waterfalls, where mountain streams cascade dramatically into a rocky gorge. Afterwards, continue your walk around Lake Kochelsee towards Schlehdorf, taking in the peaceful lakeside scenery along the way. From Schlehdorf, a leisurely boat journey brings you back across the lake to Kochel.
  Overnight stay in Kochel
• Day 6: Kochel – Wallgau (approx. 7 km, walking time: approx. 3.5 to 4 hours, +750 m, -0 m)
  Today the first mountain-tour awaits! Follow the historic bridle path up to the Herzogstand, which was once used by King Ludwig when he rode to his hunting lodge. Once you reach the mountain inn, you can enjoy a well-deserved break in the beer garden. If youre feeling energetic and in the mood for a little extra adventure, you can continue on to the summit pavilion. From there, you can enjoy sweeping views stretching as far as Munich and deep into the high mountain ranges. Afterwards, you can take a leisurely cable car ride back down into the valley. Then you will take the bus back to Wallgau.
  Overnight stay in Wallgau
• Day: Wallgau – Garmisch/Surrounding area (approx. 16 km, walking time: approx. 5 hours, ascent: 950 m, descent: 100 m)
  No Bavarian walking holiday would be complete without a classic summit tour to round things off. On your last day, you set out through the dramatic Finzbach Gorge, making your way up to the charming Finzalm. After a short break, continue to the Esterberg-Alm, where you can enjoy traditional Bavarian specialties. Refreshed, you tackle the final climb through woodland to the summit. From the top, you are rewarded with an unforgettable panoramic view: the mighty Zugspitze massif and the rugged Wetterstein mountains sit directly opposite, while the town of Garmisch lies far below. To round off the day, you take a comfortable cable car ride back down to Garmisch.
  Overnight in Garmisch
• Day 8: Individual departure or extension
  After an unforgettable hiking tour through Bavaria, you will start your journey back home. We’d be happy to book additional nights in Garmisch for you, so you can enjoy the town’s charm for a little longer. Please do not hesitate to ask us!