My family (husband and two boys 11 and 13 years old) will be spending two nights each in Fussen, Innsbruck and Salzburg in late July. We enjoy the outdoors and would like to get up into the mountains for some hikes or alpine experiences. While we are big hikers at home, we probably need to focus on shorter adventures (half day) and moderate intensity hikes. We will be doing Neuschwanstein and Berchtesgaden. Also thinking about Zugspitze (German or Austrian side), a salt mine and a luge. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Several trail heads start right by the castles. I've only hiked one of them, but this is the one that starts on the far side of the bridge, so it won't be accessible this summer.
For Zugspitze, you can't hike to the summit from the Austrian side, and the hike from the German side takes a full day. An idea, however, might be to visit Ludwig's mountain chalet (Königshaus am Schachen). It can only be reached by a 3 hour uphill hike from the Parknachklamm on the edge of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It's not the easiest hike, but well worth it.
In Berchtesgaden, a good hike that doesn't take too long but offers some great views (and a mountain restaurant at the summit) is to ascend Jenner. If you don't want to walk the entire way uphill, you can take a ski lift to the summit or to the half-way point up the mountain.
Posted by
Innsbruck, Austria
27 posts
These are both good suggestions.
Another option at Innsbruck, go to Igls via the J Bus line from city center and take the lift up Patscherkofel Mountain (without the traim would take about 3-4 hours). There are more hiking trails along the side (i.e. Zirbenweg trail which is fairly flat) than on the Nordkette above Innsbruck with the Hungerbahn Tram. Or hike down a little to Patscher Alm.
www. patscherkofelbahn.at
http://www.innsbruck.info/infrastruktur/detail/infrastruktur/patscher-alm-patsch-1.html
A cheap option without the lift. Take the Hungerbahn to Hungerberg from the city center (or the J Bus line to Hungerberg). From there you can take the "road" to Höttinger Alm, which is at 1400m, probably takes 2 hours. Very popular with locals on the weekends. A short hike (40min) from Hungerberg is up to Arzler Alm 1060m, this is family oriented and geared towards family with younger kids as they have rabbits, mini horses, goats, cows, playground, etc.