Home > Walking Holidays > Discover The King Ludwig Way from Starnberg

Discover The King Ludwig Way from Starnberg

8 Days
73 miles | 117 Km
Starnberg - Fussen
From $1,633
Personalized quotation
Luggage transfer
24h telephone assistance
Hotel accommodations
Feel as if you're part of a fairytale as you tour The King Ludwig Way, one of Germany's most romantic and magical routes. Immerse yourself in the natural and architectural beauty of Upper Bavaria, discover its fantastic castles, such as the iconic Neuschwanstein or Hohenschwangau, and enjoy incredible views following in the footsteps of Louis II of Bavaria.
  • Start this unforgettable route on Lake Starnberg, Germany's fifth largest, located 25 km (15.5 miles) southwest of Munich.
  • Get to know Bavarian history and traditions by visiting charming villages and monasteries.
  • Take in the beautiful Ammergauer Alps and the Allgau Mountains.
  • Enjoy traditional German sausages accompanied by a regional beer.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Starnberg
This dream tour starts at the beautiful Starnberg, a town in southern Germany, on the north bank of the lake of the same name.

On that day you can take the ferry to Berg, a picturesque hamlet and visit the chapel where the remains of King Louis II of Bavaria are located. Later, you can walk back along The King Ludwig Way, while enjoying the enchanting scenery.

Overnight in Starnberg

Hotel Fischerhaus

This hotel is set in a 17th-century house in the centre of Starnberg, very close to the lake. The rooms are very cosy and carefully decorated.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Starnberg to Diessen 12,1 miles | 19,5 km
Today you will embark along the magical trails of the Mad King's Castles Route.

The first stop will be at the impressive Ice Age Lake Maisinger, renowned for being home to rare species of birds. Afterwards, you will continue to Andechs, a well-known place for pilgrimage, as you will find a Benedictine monastery nestled in the woods, where tranquillity abounds.

Later on, you will continue towards Herrsching, a municipality located on the shores of Lake Ammer, Germany's sixth largest, at an altitude of 520 metres above sea level.

You will end the day with an inclusive ferry transfer from Herrsching to Diessen.

Overnight in Diessen

Hotel Gasthof Seefelder Hof

Offering a restaurant serving traditional regional dishes, this family-friendly hotel is located just a few minutes from the centre of the village of Diessen.

Each room here is equipped with a balcony and a mini-bar.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - Diessen to Wessobrunn 8,6 miles | 14 km
You will start the day with a walk through the streets of Diessen to the church in Marienmunster, a Baroque building that houses a lot of paintings, frescoes and statues.  

Later you will continue to Pfaffenwinkel, famous for its churches and pilgrimage sites that maintain centuries of history within.

On your way to Wessobrunn, you will be able to see Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, at a height of 2,962 metres and the one that marks the border between Austria and Germany. 

Paterzell: In case there is no availability in Wessobrunn, you will be accommodated here. We will provide you with the necessary information to get you on your way to Paterzell. 

Overnight in Wessobrunn

Landgasthof Zum Eibenwald

The rooms at this hotel are decorated in the typical style of a Bavarian country house. Predominantly wood and warm colours that make the atmosphere very pleasant, it also has a balcony.

It features a terrace, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - Wessobrunn to Peiting 14 miles | 22,5 km
Today you will continue this fantastic tour of the trails on the slopes of Mount Hoher Peissenberg, located in the heart of the Pfaffenwinkel region. This mountain, with a height of 988 metres (3241 feet), is one of the highest in the region.

A few metres further on, you will pass through the municipality of Hohenpeissenberg, which has an estimated population of 4000 inhabitants. 

Afterwards, you will head towards the beautiful municipality of Peiting, which is located near the River Lech.

Overnight in Peiting

Alpenhotel Pfaffenwinkel

Each room in this 3-star hotel comes with a TV, a desk and a private bathroom.

The property also has a pleasant terrace, ideal for relaxing, and offers free Wi-Fi.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 5 - Peiting to Wildsteig 8,4 miles | 13,5 km
Today will be a day of adventure, as you will walk through the incredible Aareschlucht Gorge, climbing steps and crossing bridges. The route will take you to the municipality of Rottenbuch, with a population of approximately 1801 inhabitants.

Later you will follow your path to Wildsteig and you will be able to observe the Ammergau Alps, which to the west are bordered by the River Lech, and to the east, with the River Loisach, and are the largest connected nature reserve in Bavaria.

Peiting or Steingaden: If there is no accommodation available in Wildsteig, you will be accommodated in either of these two locations. We will make arrangements for you to have the necessary transfers between the locations.

Overnight in Wildsteig

Landhotel & Gasthof Kirchberger

This pleasant and comfortable country house offers incredible views over the Bavarian Alps as it has a terrace and a beautiful garden. The rooms have satellite TV, a desk and a private bathroom.

The restaurant serves fine regional cuisine.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 6 - Wildsteig to Buching 17,1 miles | 27,6 km
The first part of today's tour will be to the church in Wies, an oval construction in Rococo style declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which every year receives about one million visits.

You will continue to the municipality of Steingaden, located in the district of Weilheim-Schongau. Later on, you will come across the municipality of Prem, which has about 898 inhabitants.

Later, you will choose the route to reach Buching, as one is more extensive than the other. The first is through splendid Bavarian villages and the second, a little more demanding, is to walk through the municipality of Steingaden, located in the district of Weilheim-Schongau.

Overnight in Buching

Hotel Bannwaldsee

Located very close to Lake Bannwaldsee, this country-style hotel offers country-style rooms with a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.

The property also has a swimming pool, sauna, relaxation area and steam bath, ideal for after a day of walking.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 7 - Buching to Fussen 12,4 miles | 20 km
Today will be a fantastic day, as you will visit the charming Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.

The first, and perhaps the most famous, was commissioned by King Louis II of Bavaria and began construction in 1869. It was intended to become an idyllic place where the monarch could take refuge,because by this time, fortresses were no longer necessary. This beautiful construction inspired Walt Disneyin the creation of the castle for “Sleeping Beauty”.

Hohenschwangau is older, and was commanded to be erected by King Maximilian II of Bavaria; it was King Louis II of Bavaria's childhood place of residence.

Overnight in Fussen

Hotel Sonne

This 4-star hotel offers modern rooms with Free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom.

Its restaurant has a varied menu and in the morning it offers an exquisite breakfast buffet with regional products.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 8 - Fussen
The fairy-tale has come to an end. Today will be the day to say goodbye to this fascinating tour on The King Ludwig Way to return to your place of origin.

End of our services.

Itinerary map

Services

Included

  • Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
  • Daily Breakfasts
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Ferry Transfer from Herrsching to Diessen
  • Information dossier with maps and routes
  • 24-hour telephone support
  • Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
  • Taxes

Extras

  • Travel insurance
  • Cancellation insurance
  • Additional nights

Accomodation

General information


The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.

Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.

The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.

We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.

The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.

Room types


It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.

All rooms have private bathrooms.

Travel & transfers

The best option to get to the starting point of this walking holiday is to take a flight to Munich Airport and from there go by train to Starnberg (15-20 minutes approximately)

You can visit the Deutsche Bahn website for train options.

When you've finished your trip, you'll be able to travel by train from Fussen to Munich (about 2h) and then head to the airport and return to your home city.

FAQs

Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
  • Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
  • Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
  • Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
  • Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
The approximate luggage delivery time will be at 4:00 PM.
What is the best time of year to do this trip?
We recommend you take this walking holiday between May and mid-October. At these times, you can enjoy the wonderful spring and autumn colours.
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area.
What should my physical preparation be?
This route has a medium-low level of difficulty, so you can complete it without problems if you are in good physical condition. Every day you will walk between 16 and 30 km (10 and 18.6 miles), on mostly easy trails. There will only be a few sections where you will have to pass through rocky terrain and cross bridges. On day 4, you can decide whether to ascend to Hohenpeißenberg or take a train.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack.
What if I can't finish one of the stages?
You can call us to arrange a private transfer for you. Also, if you prefer, you can use public transport or local taxis to go to your next accommodation.

Thousands of travelers trust us

Why Choose Orbis Ways?

Find Your Ideal Trip

Explore over 200 carefully designed routes tailored just for you.

Tailor-Made Budget

We adapt to your needs to provide you with the best possible experience.

Get the Most Out of Your Trip

Join the Orbis Ways community and embark on an unforgettable adventure.