Hiking in Germany: Rauf on the mountains!

Resin: Hexenstieg

The Brocken puts everything in the shade, what North Germans in their accustomed ignorance otherwise called "mountain": He is 1142 meters high. The Hexenstieg leads along historic donkey paths where ores and silver used to be transported down to the valley. The old huts and tunnels, coal mines and mines still stand. More highlights? The spectacular Bodetal and steam-steaming narrow-gauge railway.

Route: from Osterode in Lower Saxony to Thale in Saxony-Anhalt. Overnight: "Hotel Bodeblick", Halde 1, 38889 Treseburg, Tel. 03 94 56/56 10, www.hotel-bodeblick-treseburg.de; DZ / F from 70 Euro. - Info: Harzer Verkehrsverband, Tel. 053 21/34 04 0, www.harzinfo.de and www.harzer-hexen-stieg.de

Hochsauerland: Tower climbing

For astronomers Rauf on the Ettelsberg and then even higher: At the "Tower Climbing" you crawl like a spider vertically up the smooth concrete walls of the observation tower. With hands and feet on small plastic handles, climbing trainer Hendrik Ahrens secures you with the rope from below. You do not have to be a professional to master the track, but you need to be fit. Sweaty and euphoric you can enjoy after 40 meters ascent the wide view over the mountains of the Hochsauerland, before it goes down again when rappelling.

Tower climbing at Willinger Hochheideturm, via: Climbing hall Willingen, Zur Hoppecke 9, 34508 Willingen, Tel. 056 32/96 68 55, www.kletterhalle-willingen.de; climb from 10 euros.

Sauerland: Bikepark Willingen

Over the floor and stones ... Professional bikers love this area: steep-slope passages, tight bends and up to ten-meter jumps on the World Cup track. But even for ordinary cyclists, the mountains and valleys of the eastern Sauerland are a great area. Six signposted mountain bike trails - around 250 kilometers - lead around Willingen through forests and meadows.

Tourist Information, Waldecker Str. 12, 34508 Willingen, Tel. 056 32/40 11 80, www.willingen.de. - Robust rental bikes: Snow & Bike Factory, Zur Hoppecke 5, 34508 Willingen, Tel. 056 32/92 37 51, www.bikeverleih-willingen.de; Adult bike from 17 euros / day, children's bike from 10 euros / day.

Amöneburg

Strolling to the volcano As if fallen from the sky stands a huge cone in the flat landscape: The Amöneburg is an extinct volcano, and on top of it sits the pretty, half-timbered town of the same name. By bike, there are about ten kilometers from Marburg, the brave also make the last climb to the summit without pushing. But they are the first in the bakery Kliem, where there are the fantastic view the even more fantastic macaroons - or a menu in the restaurant of the "Dombäcker". He is known for his cuisine in the whole area.

Bakery Kliem, Am Marktplatz 14, 35287 Amöneburg, Tel. 064 22/24 03. - Restaurant "Dombäcker", Markt 18, 35287 Amöneburg, Tel. 064 22/940 90, www.dombaecker.de

Rhön: Trail riding

Winnetou and Iltschi Nothing to hear. Only the snorting of the horses and the dull thud of the hooves on the sandy ground. "Ride into the silence" is the name of the tour through the biosphere reserve Rhön with its high moors, rocks and ancient deciduous forests. This is also quite exhausting, but the leisure Indians are spoiled on their tour: with a drink under the cherry trees, a picnic by the pond and in the evening with a four-course meal in a former stables.

There are vendors under www.rhoen.de

Thuringian Forest: Rennsteig

rennsteig The classic German long-distance hiking trails is the Rennsteig. Not only does he have his own hymn, no, his own wandering greeting: "Good Runst!", It roars through the Thuringian forest and the slate mountains. Countless landmarks, high mountains and extensive green meadows with mountain lakes enclosed by steep rocks await us. And of course the gold-screening in the brooks around the old Thuringian mining town of Steinheid.

Route: from Hörschel an der Werra to Blankenstein / Saale-Orla. Stay overnight: "Hotel Schieferhof", Eisfelder Strasse 26, 98724 Neuhaus / Rennweg, Tel. 036 79/77 40, www.schieferhof.de; DZ / F 95 Euro. - Info: Regional Association Thuringian Forest, Tel. 03 68 42/529 80, www.thueringer-wald.com, www.rennsteig.de

Frankenweg

For lovers The poet Johann Gottfried Herder described her as "the most beautiful area in the world": The Frankenweg, which starts right at the end of the Rennsteig and runs from the border of Thuringia to the Swabian Alb, is a real pleasure for hikers. Dreamy villages, rough dolomite rocks and 170 medieval castles.

Route: from Untereichenstein in northern Franconia to Harburg an der Wörnitz. Overnight: Schloss Burgellern, Kirchplatz 1, 96110 Schesslitz / Burgellern, Tel. 095 42/77 47 50, www.burgellern.de; DZ / F from 115 Euro. - Info: Tourismusverband Franken, Tel. 09 11/94 15 10, www.frankenweg.de

Ore Mountains: Greifensteine

Like in fairy tales The only free-standing and very impressive granite rocks in the middle Erzgebirge are the Greifensteine in the "Silberland" (south of Chemnitz). For those who do not find geology so exciting, there is a stage at the foot of the rocks. And there are adorable fairy tales performed. In August, for example, "The Puss in Boots" by the Brothers Grimm comes to the Natural Theater. Before maybe a visit to the climbing forest?

Tickets at the Service Office, Tel. 037 33/140 71 31. - Tourist Information, 09427 Ehrenfriedersdorf, Tel. 03 73 46/68 70, www.greifensteine-erzgebirge.de

Erzgebirge: Silver Road

silver street In the past, the Erzgebirge was a real money machine. Today, the Silver Route leads through the middle, so that visitors rediscover the old culture. In the visitor mine "Im Gößner" drive 104 meters deep into the earth and run through the old tunnels, look at the mining museum Oelsnitz steam engines, coal cars and winding towers, on the mining trail Eibenstock to burglars and moats - there are countless interesting stations.

Tourist Office Erzgebirge, Tel. 037 33/18 80 00, www.erzgebirge-tourismus.de

Saxon Switzerland: Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg

Tracing In 1813, Caspar David Friedrich left his adopted home of Dresden for a few months to seek refuge in the town of Krippen in Saxon Switzerland. Here he sketched the mighty Elbe sandstone rocks, disappeared for days in the woods. The sketches for the melancholic "Wanderer above the sea of fog" were also made here. A footpath leads to the painter's footsteps.

Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg, start in cribs (near Bad Schandau) at the ferry, www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de

Saxon Switzerland: Elbe Cycle Route

Flat mountain stage A mountain tour without a steep incline - where is it? In the Saxon Switzerland, just always along the Elbe! The Elbe Cycle Route runs between Schöna on the border with the Czech Republic and Dresden for 50 kilometers through the region. From the shore you can admire the bizarre sandstone rocks of the German Rocky Mountains best. And if you have always wondered why the area is called, as it is called: Swiss artists on business travel here in the 18th Century home feelings and gave the district its name.

Tourist Office Saxon Switzerland, Bahnhofstraße 21, 01796 Pirna, Tel. 035 01/47 01 47, www.elberadweg.de

Saxon Switzerland: Family climbing

Which tower is it allowed? It all started here: Around 150 years ago, climbing in the Saxon Switzerland was "invented" as a sport. The 1100 rock towers of the national park are still an excellent terrain for beginners, for experienced, for families. The Saxon organizer Outdoortours, for example, offers a weekend in the rock faces: During the day climbers climb to dizzying heights, at night they rest in the Ottendorfer hut on the edge of the national park. Families always make the course together - and most of the time the kids are the first to go.

Outdoortours, Hauptstraße 27, 01855 Kirnitzschtal / Ottendorf, Tel. 03 59 71/569 07, www.klettern-sachsen.de; 2 days basic course rock climbing 187 Euro, including accommodation and full board, children under 12 years 136 Euro

Eifel: Castle Schmidtheim

Place for the love 800 years old is the castle Schmidtheim in the Hocheifel. It used to be surrounded by a moat, today there is a huge garden. And an impressive apartment: Countess and Count Beissel of Gymnich have expanded the 250 square meters in the old gatehouse and modern furnishings. Enough space for six bedrooms and up to 13 people. Here, the loved ones - whether extended family or circle of friends - have enough space to the Fläzen. From the property numerous hiking trails lead into the mountains and idyllic small villages. In the end there is almost too little time to relax in the beautiful castle garden.

Countess and Count Beissel von Gymnich, Hubertusstr. 6, D-53949 Dahlem-Schmidtheim, Tel. 024 47/87 72, www.castlewelt.com. From 140 Euro / day, final cleaning 60 Euro

Mittelrhein via ferrata

Scrambling over the river In the middle of the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis is the place with the funny name Boppard. From here a demanding via ferrata leads up to 300 meters high over the Rhine to the beautiful vantage point Vierseenblick. Beginners and children absolutely need a suitable equipment, which they can borrow right at the entrance to the via ferrata in the restaurant "Zum Mühlchen". On ropes, ladders and ironing it goes up in two and a half to three hours. A lot of fun, in the summer but quite sweaty.

Tourist Information Boppard, Carmelite Street 2, 56154 Boppard, Tel. 067 42/38 88, www.boppard.de

Taunus: Feldberg

Hesse's local mountain If you look out of one of the Frankfurt skyscrapers to the west towards the Taunus, you can see it: the Feldberg. Conversely, from its nearly 900-meter-high summit you have a fantastic view over the entire Rhine-Main area, the Frankfurt skyline over to the Odenwald. After the summit storm there is also a room in the "Feldberghof" for the night, if it has become too late for the drive home.

Taunus Tourist Service, 61352 Bad Homburg, Tel. 061 72/999 41 40, www.taunus.info - "Feldberghof", Grosser Feldberg 5, 61389 Schmitten, Tel. 061 74/923 40, www.feldberghof.de; DZ / F 110 Euro

Eifel: Eifelsteig

With the monks The long-distance trail "Neuer Eifelsteig" has just opened and leads from Aachen to Trier across the Eifel. An intoxicating landscape: the volcanic Eifel with its maaren, the prehistoric coral reefs and ice age lakes, the cross-border Hohe Venn (the largest bog in Europe). Not to be missed: the imposing castle complex in Kerpen, the Genoveva Cave near Kordel and the waterfall Dreimühlen.

Route: from Aachen to Trier. Overnight: Himmerod Monastery. As a thank you leave a small donation. Be sure to register in advance! Himmerod 3, 54534 Großlittgen, Tel. 065 75/95 13-0 or 21, www.abtei-himmerod.de - Info: Eifel Tourismus, Tel. 065 51/965 60, www.eifel-ardennen-wandern.com

Moselle: Bremmer Calmont

test track If you want to try climbing, between Trier and Koblenz on the meandering Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate you will find a wonderful climb up the Calmer. In 2001, the narrow footpath of three kilometers in length was completed. Thanks to ladders, safety ropes and tread braces, it is easy for the die-hard Kraxler to reach, but amateurs are required and need sturdy shoes in addition to good condition and a good head for heights. During the almost two-hour climbing, you can also discover the rare animal and plant life in the midst of the vineyards.

Mosellandtouristik, Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues, Tel. 065 31/973 30, www.mosellandtouristik.de

Hunsrück: Saar-Hunsrück-Steig

With star Who needs a break, is in good hands on the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig. It starts at the lookout point Cloef: an overwhelming view of the 180-degree turn of the Saar loop. Then on narrow paths to Mettlach to the Villeroy & Boch ceramic museum and the castle Grimburg. Less than three kilometers from the trail is the gourmet restaurant "Le Temple du Gourmet", which has been awarded a Michelin star.

Route: from Mettlach to Idar-Oberstein or Trier. Stay overnight: "Haus Schons" (Bio-Hotel), Von-Boch-Liebig-Str. 1, 66693 Mettlach, Tel. 068 64/12 14, www.hotel-haus-schons.de; DZ / F from 79 Euro. - Info: Hunsrück tourism, Tel. 065 04/95 04 60, www.saar-hunsrueck-steig.de

Palatinate Forest: Bärenbrunnerhof

Ran to the wall Because of its unusual rock formations from Buntsandstein and the mighty climbing walls, the Palatinate is popular with all Kraxlern north of the Alps. The "Bärenbrunnerhof" in Dahn Rockland near Schindhard is a very popular "base camp": Here you can camp, there is a small climbing shop and a great organic farm with its own shop. In the rustic restaurant, hearty meals are served like home-made sausages or liver dumplings, most of the ingredients are organically grown.

Climbing Pfalz, Thomas Merkel, Tel. 01 79/526 21 11, www.klettern-pfalz.de; 2-day course from 129 Euro. - Bärenbrunnerhof, 66996 Schindhard, Tel. 063 91/57 44, www.gaststaette-baerenbrunnerhof.de

Palatinate Forest: Trifels Castle

favourite The Trifels is considered the favorite castle of Emperor Barbarossa. The English King Richard the Lionheart on the other hand, she will have hated: In 1193 he spent some time in the dungeon as a prisoner. From Annweiler, an eight-kilometer hike leads through the beautiful Palatinate Forest and past two castle ruins to the fortress. Start of the tour is at the town hall square. Until the end of August there will be concerts in the Kaisersaal during the "Trifels Serenades".

Castle Trifels near Annweiler in the South Palatinate, Tel. 063 46/22 00, www.trifelsland.de; Admission 3 euros, children 1.50 euros, family ticket 6 euros. Daily 9 am to 5 pm, closed in December.

Franconian Switzerland: Devil's height

Caves & pretzel dumplings What would you most like to see? The Franconian Switzerland north of Nuremberg is known for three things: the castles, the caves, such as the Binghöhle at Streitberg, and the unusually many schnapps distilleries. Almost everywhere you can try blackberry, sloe or cherry brandy. Anyone who later looked at the Devil's Cave near Pottenstein (the largest caves in Frankenalb with a new lighting system) can still pay a visit to one or another of the lords (in Pottenstein, for example, the lord of the castle himself, Tel. 092 43/72 21) - is then free to do what many are most looking forward to: eating pretzel dumplings. Or Franconian Krensuppe. These are available, for example, at the Hotel-Gasthof "Resengörg" in Ebermannstadt.And there are also special offers for hikers.

Gasthof "Resengörg", Hauptstraße 36, 91320 Ebermannstadt, Tel. 091 94/739 30, www.resengoerg.de; 3 nights with meals from 140 Euro per person. - Tourist Office Franconian Switzerland, 91320 Ebermannstadt, Tel. 091 94/79 77 79, www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Bavarian Forest: Großer Falkenstein

Great falcon stone Bears and wolves are no longer living in the Bavarian Forest, but the lynx has immigrated again. Badger, fox, marten and wild boar also feel at home. From the summit cross of the Great Falkenstein (1315 meters) we have a beautiful view to the west to the mountain range of the Bavarian Forest. Be sure to try the potato soup in the cozy dining room of the Falkenstein shelter. Hüttenwirt Jürgen Mader and his family bring traditional Bavarian dishes to the table. And that sounds like this: Foikastoana bread soup or Hos'nknöpf with cabbage. , ,

Restaurant in Falkenstein Schutzhaus, Tel. 099 25/90 33 66, www.1315m.de; open daily from 10 o'clock.

Bavarian Forest: Himmelsleiter Lusen

Stairway to heaven In the evening we will feel like mountain goats: the climb on the Lusen in the Bavarian Forest is not without. From Lusenparkplatz, we first walk along a gravel road, before a wrought-iron cross we turn right and reach the refuge Böhmweg. Later, the path through the mountain spruce forest becomes steeper. Over 500 rock steps - the so-called sky ladder - we finally reach the Lusen (1373 meters). The summit area is dotted with huge granite blocks - it is said that the devil has piled on a gold treasure, it is said.

Arrival by car via Waldhäuser to Lusenparkplatz (Waldhausreibe). In summer also by bus from the National Park Information Center, Tel. 085 58/961 50

Franconian forest

Treasure hunt via GPS Hiking with children? With GPS devices, things look like this: with the help of satellite-based devices, parents can run terrain games and chase their children to destinations they would never otherwise reach. GPS works like a car when hiking. When geocaching, a special type of GPS hiking, it is to find hidden targets and solve puzzles on the go. If you do not have your own electronic compass, you can borrow one: for example, in the beautiful "Gasthaus Roseneck" in Wallenfels in the Franconian Forest.

"Gasthof Roseneck", Schützenstrasse 46, 96346 Wallenfels, Tel. 092 62/72 60, www.gasthof-roseneck.de; three B & Bs plus packed lunches, GPS devices from 115 euros per person

Black Forest: Mine Neubulach

Adventure in the mine Already a thousand years ago, the first settlers in the Black Forest worked underground. In the municipality Neubulach can be explored on light trails to the old mine Hella-Glück-Stollen, where in the 13th century was looking for silver and copper ore. More exciting is the visit to the Lower Stollen: For three hours you scramble around with a guide in the footsteps of the Black Forest miners in the depths.

Visitor mines Neubulach, 75387 Neubulach, www.bergwerk-neubulach.de; Tour through the lower tunnel only by appointment: Tel. 070 53/73 46

Hallwangen: Barefoot Park Hallwangen

Sensual walk Out of the shoes and in the "Barefoot Park Hallwangen" on a good two kilometers long track on bare soles the mountains feel: wood, river pebble, bark mulch, grass, clay or water. Sometimes it tickles, sometimes it is mushy, then cold and suddenly warm and pleasant again. The path through the park in the Black Forest offers children an authentic nature experience - and makes their companions at least as much fun.

"Barfusspark Hallwangen", Dornstetten-Hallwangen, Info: Tourist Information, Marktplatz 2, 72280 Dornstetten, Tel. 074 43/96 20 30, www.barfusspark.de; Admission free, parking two euros. Open from May to October, 9 am to 8 pm daily

Black Forest: Mooshof

Good thing going on in the yard The view of the valley: great. The cows, calves, pigs, chickens, rabbits and cats: cute. But best of all: the smokehouse and the cheese factory. There salami and willow cheese, sausages, ham and butter cheese are made. The "Mooshof" is simply an organic gourmet address for young and old. Those who have eaten their fillings are allowed to feed the animals or help with milking. Or on one of the trails that start directly at the farm, explore the Black Forest: the Mittelberg, the Kohlwald, the villages Langenschiltach and Tennebronn. Of course there is also accommodation for guests - two apartments under the hipped roof, simple but cozy.

"Mooshof", Schwarzenbach 271, 78144 Tennenbronn, Tel. 077 29/410, www.bio-mooshof.de; Apartments for 4 persons from 45 Euro, for 6 persons from 55 Euro, including final cleaning

Black Forest: Vogtsbauernhof

All under one roof In the open air museum Vogtsbauernhof you can learn how farmers and artisans lived 400 years ago in the Black Forest. The traditional dach houses of the farmers with parlors and barns were reconstructed in detail. Children are happy about sheep, chickens and goats - a story to stroke.

Black Forest Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof, 77793 Gutach, Tel. 078 31/935 60, www.vogtsbauernhof.org

Münstertal: Black Forest House Münstertal

TV backdrop How does it live without electricity, shower and toilet? That's what the Boro family showed us six years ago in the ARD series "Schwarzwaldhaus 1902". The house is still standing, and over the weekend, the owners show TV fans how to stamp butter and bake bread. And cook all visitors a tea from self-collected herbs.

Marta and Peter Bert, 79244 Münstertal-Kaltwasser, Tel. 076 36/78 89 41, www.schwarzwaldhaus-muenstertal.de

West Allgäu Alps: Bergabradeln

Sport for Lazy You love cycling, but hate it when you see steep climbs on the way? In the Westallgäu Alps, you will appreciate the mountains anew: on the route "cycling downhill". For almost 36 kilometers, the track almost always goes down, with the peaks of the Alps rising in the background. Starting point is the mountain village of Scheidegg at 800 meters, intermediate station Lake Constance, there it goes into the panoramic gondola of the Pfänderbahn, which brings you and your bike back to 1064 meters. From here it goes in a gentle downward swing back to Scheidegg. In case you still have a sweat: Cooling offers the Alpen-Freibad in the village, of course, with views of the mountains.

Spa administration, Rathausplatz 4, 88175 Scheidegg, Tel. 083 81/895 55, www.scheidegg.de

Lindau to Berchtesgaden: German Alpine Road

Heimatfilm in the drive-in cinema This film reel is 450 kilometers long and with its 81 years a true classic: The German Alpine Road runs from Lindau on Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden am Königssee. The episodes: a picnic on the Forggensee, a yodelling session on the Oberjoch in the Allgäu, a walk to the Temple of Venus in Linderhof Castle near Ettal. For the dramaturgy: argue a bit in between and then get along again. Do not forget snacks.

Information: www.deutschealpenstrasse.de

Kleinwalsertal

Alpine break 97 square kilometers of healing world: The Austrian Alpental, which is accessible only from Germany, welcomes you with its vast meadows, wild gorges, cozy Alpine lodges and family hotels such as the "Erlebach". Externally, the construction is quite unadorned, but what matters here is the content. The hotel offers sophisticated wellness programs with local herbs, hay beds and medicinal mud. During the day, hotel manager Robert Amann walks with his guests into the mountains, in the evening he watches over the excellent cuisine.

"Hotel Erlebach", Eggstrasse 21, A-6991 / D-87567 Riezlern, Tel. 00 43/55 17/516 90, www.erlebach.de; Double / F from 94 Euro

Allgäu: Wellness Oberstdorf

Relax for the advanced Nothing but beautiful meadows and impressive mountains. But here at the wellness hotel "Oberstdorf" you can hover over the Alps, sniff mountain flowers, feast on dumplings or barefoot feel the nature. Enjoy the best of all, simply do nothing at all. Or maybe almost nothing. For example, on the hotel terrace. Here you can have a great time, marvel at the Alps from the swimming pool, sweat in the sauna or enjoy the exceptionally good breakfast buffet. Anyone who has had enough of relaxation at some point will set off on a mountain hike or a hike through the narrow gorge of the Breitach gorge.

"Hotel Oberstdorf", Reute 20, 87561 Oberstdorf, Tel. 083 22/94 07 70, www.hotel-oberstdorf.de; DZ / F from 60 Euro

Upper Allgäu: Berghof

children dream Absolute peace. Only a few bobby cars or mountain bikes whiz down the hills every now and then. Cars? There are hardly any here. The "Allgäuer Berghof" is a childhood dream - a family hotel in the middle of the mountains, on the 1406 meter high Ofterschwanger Horn. The offspring sells the day in the pool, on the basketball court, at the ping-pong table or in the petting zoo, supervision included. The parents rest or go out into nature. If you feel like it, you can take even the smallest ones with you - many hiking trails are suitable for pushchairs. Or sit down on the hotel terrace with a latte macchiato and a good book, while the steppkes let off steam in the playground.

"Familotel Allgäuer Berghof", Alpe Eck, 87544 Gunzesried- Ofterschwang, Tel. 083 21/80 60, www.allgaeuer-berghof.de; Family room from 82 Euro / night per person, including half board, children depending on age 12 to 28 Euro, all inclusive and with child care

Allgäu Alps: Alpine School Oberstdorf

Pauschalalpinismus A long mountain tour weekend with all the trimmings, but do not care about anything. , , Well then go! All you have to do is drive to Oberstdorf, and you can easily get there by train. Everything is already prepared in the alpine school: the distance is estimated, the mountain guide ordered, the beds are reserved. Breakfast is already done. On Thursday it is z. B.from Hinterstein via Bärgundle to the Prinz-Luitpoldhaus, the next morning the Balkenscharte up to the 2592 meter high Hochvogel and back down to the Luitpoldhaus, Saturday over the Jubiläumsweg at the well-cooled Schrecksee over to the Landsberger Hütte and Sunday down to the Vilsalpsee, where the bus to Oberstdorf is already waiting. But you have to hike yourself, but that's why you come here.

Alpine School Oberstdorf, Im Oberen Winkel 12 a, 87561 Oberstdorf, Tel. 083 22/953 22, www.alpinschule-oberstdorf.de; Complete price 310 Euro per person with B & B, mountain guide and bus shuttle

Alpspitze: toboggan run Nesselwang

Sledding and yodeling The winters are getting shorter and shorter, you do not even get to ride a sled. That's why it was laid out in summer in the excursion region Alpspitze near Nesselwang and built out of metal as a kind of ice channel. He would even elicit a jubilant yodeling from the Hackl Schorsch: 1000 meters down single or double sledges through 13 steep curves and a tunnel - and up again with the lift, and again, again, again! If at some point it should get boring - just suppose -, you can of course also enjoy the great panorama with 360 mountains on which to wander around, picnicking with cows on the Oktoberfest. , ,

Alpspitzbahn Nesselwang, Alpspitzweg 5, 87484 Nesselwang, Tel. 083 61/12 70, www.alpspitzbahn.de; Tobogganing from 3 euros, children from 50 cents

Zugspitze

Crisp classic Germany's highest mountain is as well developed in terms of traffic as the Munich Marienplatz: A cogwheel railway travels to the Zugspitzplatt, from Ehrwald and Grainau commute cable cars to the summit. But you can experience the rugged beauty of the terrain much better if you work out the Zugspitze on foot. Through the Höllentalklamm with its narrow cliffs and the thunderous water, steps and breathtakingly steep paths lead to the Höllentalangerhütte (two hours), which lies at 1381 meters. It is advisable to ascend to the hut on the eve of the summit tour, for the very good Kaiserschmarrns. From the hut, the actual tour begins, for which you should bring a very good condition, a head for heights, sure-footedness, weatherproof and via ferrata equipment (carabiners, rope, rope ring, rope brake plate and gloves) as well as climbing skills. In some places it goes upright via iron ladders up the wall, you cross scree fields and ice surfaces and must go with a big step over the edge gap of the Höllentalferners, a small glacier, directly into the rock. The tour lasts at least eight hours - but if you arrive at the top next to the sneaker tourists in the summit restaurant, you are guaranteed to be photographed by Japanese, who are surprised to meet real mountaineers on the mountain.

Via ferrata Höllental-Zugspitze, starting point: Hammersbach or Grainau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen; Overnight in the Höllentalangerhütte, managed from the end of May to October, PO Box 1650, 82456 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Tel. 088 21/88 11; Overnight from 10 euros

Oberammergau: Oberammergau Laber

Lifted Have not you always admired them, these crazy paragliders - for their courage? Maybe even a little bit envied for the probably incomprehensible feeling of freedom? That can be changed. Of course you need some courage, but then you can take off in tandem with one of the experienced, state-approved paragliding tandem pilots. Fear? Alas, six-year-old Maximilian and 80-year-old Josepha have dared to do so. Depending on the thermals, a tandem flight lasts between half an hour and two hours and is only calculated according to the actual flight time.

Air-Glide, Jungfernweg 16, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Tel. 088 24/21 90 43, www.air-glide.de; from 75 euros

Ammergau Alps: Pürschling

In any case, to the summit Children are thrilled with this tour: 18 waterfalls lure them up the 1566 meter high Pürschling, and when counting, they do not realize that it takes them three hours to reach the summit. On the outskirts of Unterammergau it goes into the Schleifmühlklamm and along a narrow path along the Plattenberggraben. Behind the Kurztalgraben, a path branches off between a group of trees in the direction of Teufelstättkopf and Latschenkopf and leads past a raspberry grove to the summit cross.

Info: Ammergau Alps, 82497 Unterammergau, Tel. 088 22/92 27 40, www.ammergauer-alpen.de

Alps: Partnachklamm

Cool Canyon Tour The tour through the Partnachklamm, a deeply cut valley, the ditch Partnach by Garmisch dug vertically into the rock, is a refreshment in the summer: From the gorge comes a cool touch, from the walls trickles water, deep gurgled and bubbling down ,

Partnachklamm, starting point: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, valley station of the Eckbauerbahn. 30 minutes to the entrance of the gorge. - Information: Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Tourismus, Tel. 088 21/18 07 00, www.gapa.de

Karwendel Mountains: Jagdschloss Schachen

Royal crank The tour to Jagdschloss Schachen is the king's stage for mountain bikers in the Mittenwald area. The small castle was built around 1870 and was inhabited by Ludwig II ten to twelve days a year. Twenty servants cared for the monarch and served him tea in the sumptuous Turkish salon, where an oriental fountain splatters. The bike tour on the Schachen (1870 meters) is a good start: it leads from Mittenwald to Ferchensee, from there over the Bannholzer Weg, until it goes up a narrow rocky path towards Schachen. At the cow gate Wettersteinalm the road is over, from there it's really exhausting. About cart tracks with gravel, roots and rock, you crank the royal road up to the hunting lodge. The winner's trophy for the mountain classification: a Radler-Maß (1 liter 5.50 Euro) in the hearty "Schachenhaus".

Jagdschloss Schachen: open from early June to early October; Guided tours 4 Euro, reduced 3 Euro, www.schloesser.bayern.de - Mountain restaurant "Schachenhaus", Tel. 088 21/29 96, www.schachenhaus.de - Tour description / map: www.mtb-mittenwald.de

Karwendel Mountains: Wellness Karwendel

British in Bavaria The English Castle - that's what the house in the high valley of Elmau near Mittenwald was called by the locals. The building, with its stepped gables and natural stone walls, is actually reminiscent of a country house in the Kingdom. The creator of Schloss Kranzbach was "The Honorable Mary Isabell Portman" from London. In 1913, the wealthy English aristocrat bought the grounds on which today the "Hotel Kranzbach" stands. Recently, the property has been extended with a modern wooden and glass wing, an outdoor pool and a spacious spa. Well, now the guests can watch the Alpenglow in the Karwendelgebirge from the sauna. And when drinking tea in the extravagant salon you feel anyway very British - in the middle of the Upper Bavarian mountain landscape.

"Hotel Kranzbach", 82493 Kranzbach near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Tel. 088 23/92 80 00, www.daskranzbach.de; Ü / HP including wellness and sports program from 119 euros

Prealps: Latschenkopf

stone on stone A tour in which we can take several summits in eight hours: From Lenggries we march on the Brauneck, then the path rises to the Latschenkopf (1712 meters). About the Achselköpfe (1709 meters), it continues towards Benediktenwand. Capricorns live on the high plateau and curiously approach the path. Down the valley we pass the Tutzinger hut - and decide to make a spontaneous stop. Because of the bacon dumpling soup. Back through the Lainbachtal to the train station in Benediktbeuern.

Information: www.brauneck-bergbahn.de, 83661 Lenggries, Tel. 080 42/50 39 40. - www.dav-tutzinger-huette.de, Tel. 01 75/164 16 90

Bavaria: Walchensee

Burr Adventure What a terrific view! The Herzogstand summit is rightly considered one of the most beautiful mountains in Bavaria. Sporty people make the ascent to the 1731 meters in about two hours, the others take the cable car. The ridge path between Herzogstand and Heimgarten becomes really exciting. On both sides it goes steeply downhill, so it is only suitable for those who are free from giddiness. The journey takes about an hour on the ridge with breathtaking views of the plains, Kochelsee and Walchensee, the Wetterstein Mountains and the Tyrolean mountains. After the two-and-a-half-hour descent, cool the hot feet in Walchensee and watch the surfers. Refreshments in Herzogstand and Heimgartenhütte.

Directions, hiking map etc. under www.kochel.de

Prealps: Ludwigshöhe

favorite Bank

South of Munich there is the Ludwigshöhe, for Bavarian conditions only a hunchback, but up you can sit on a bench - and then look across Bad Tölz on a wonderful Alpine panorama.

Directions from Kleindingharting

Bavarian Prealps: Tegernsee hut

dav-tegernsee.de

Rustic nest heat Unbelievable that there is a hut here! Nestled in the eagles' nest, between the peaks of Rossstein and Buchstein, is the "Tegernseer Hütte" at 1,650 meters above sea level. Even more incredible is the sunset, which dips the west terrace in the evening in its red glow. The wonderfully secluded hut is powered by solar power, for the bathroom and kitchen rainwater is processed. High you can walk from the parking Klamm, near Kreuth. Or you take the route from Bayerwald on a steep climb with a short via ferrata and break on the Sonnbergalm. The two paths are well signposted. You should plan in each case two to three hours and bring a hammock sleeping bag or a thin sheet for the bed storage.

Registration: Michael Ludwig, Latvia 5, 83661 Lenggries, Tel. 01 75/411 58 13, www.dav-tegernsee.de/html/hutte.html; for Alpine Club members 7.50 Euro / night, otherwise 15 Euro / night, breakfast from 5.50 Euro, open from May to November

Chiemgau: ballooning

Floating hearts A mountain tour without sweat and steaming feet: For those who do not feel like tinkering with an alpine burger on hiking boots, Manfred Szemborski am Chiemsee offers romantic hot air balloon trips to the foothills of the Alps.The tour starts either in the early morning or in the late afternoon. Together, the balloon is set up, filled, and then it finally goes up to about 3000 meters altitude for about two hours - heart palpitations, fresh air and a fantastic view of the summit included.

Ballooning Manfred Szemborski, Mailinger Weg 5, 83233 Hittenkirchen, Tel. 080 51/43 81, www.ballonfahren.info; 145-180 euros per person, in winter even Alpine crossings are possible

Berchtesgadener Land: white water

Wild water "My boy hits the gorge with full force ..." wails Wolfgang Ambros in the tragicomic mountain farmer drama "Der Watzmann calls". With canyoning, rafting or the newest sport of tubing, you and your friends can whack your way into the rugged gorges and wild waters of the Berchtesgadener Land. Mostly a, well, refreshing affair. In groups, they rappel over eroded rocks (canyoning), jump into crystal-clear, saukalte swirling oysters and race paddling and spaddelnd in inflatable boats (rafting) or pneumatic tires (tubing) down the torrent. Of course that's just not possible. Since you need people who understand more than we Flachland Tyrolean.

Club Aktiv - Rafting & Sport, Spring Street 61, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Tel. 086 51/672 38, www.rafting-fun.com; Tubing from 50 euros, canyoning and rafting from 55 euros, various combination and package deals

Prealps: Wimbachklamm

Wild noise Waters pour down the narrow ravine. On a boardwalk you walk down and watch the natural spectacle. For centuries, the Wimbach has steadily processed the rocky landscape, creating a sensational gorge. The hike continues into a beautiful valley, where you can fortify yourself famously in the mountain restaurant "Wimbachschloss".

Hike from car park Wimbachbrücke. - Tourist Information, 83486 Ramsau, Tel. 086 57/98 89 20, www.ramsau.de

Back to the map

Berchtesgaden Alps: Schellenberger Ice Cave

Icy times Caves are cool, kids say. Ice caves are then probably very cool. In Germany, there is only one that you can visit: The Schellenberg ice cave has it all, and the way in is athletic. First three hours of alpine scramble, in the thick jacket purely (the cave has walls up to 30 meters thick and is super cold), and inside the Gekraxel continues - on up to 3000 years old ice. Guides take a tour of the almost four-kilometer-long karst cave with visitors. It's best to warm up first: on the sun terrace of the Toni-Lenz-Hütte nearby.

Berchtesgadener Land Tourismus, Bahnhofplatz 4, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Tel. 086 52/65 65 00, www.berchtesgadener-land.com - Path to the cave: from the car park at the B 305 between Marktschellenberg and the Austrian border to Toni-Lenz-Hütte, from there continue on a footpath. - Toni-Lenz-Hütte, at the Schellenberger Ice Cave, Tel. 0043/664/134 16 90, www.koenigssee.com/toni-lenz/

Trekking with Huskies in Swedish Lapland- The Boho Chica Travel Vlog (May 2024).

Germany, Alps, Saxon Switzerland, Switzerland, Ore Mountains, Austria, Black Forest, Restaurant, Oberstdorf, Eifel, Trier, Taunus, Mountains, Hiking, Altitude

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