The Bavarian Alps are part of the Alps and are located in Germany at the southern end of the federal state of Bavaria and continue across the border into Austria. The region is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes of Germany and ranks as one of the most scenic places in all of Central Europe. This is where German or Bavarian stereotypes of lederhosen, dirndls, weißwurst, and glistening alpine peaks come true. Ironically it only comprises less than 3% of Germany's total area. It is also a very rural area, abundant with wildlife and many glacial lakes and thick fir tree forests. It has much more in common, both culturally and geographically, with its neighbours Tyrol and Salzburg Province in Austria than the rest of Germany to the north.

Understand

History

Bavaria used to be an independent kingdom and you can visit the royal castles built by the former kings in the mountains. It joined the German Empire in 1871 and has been part of Germany ever since. It is the largest federal-state by area in contemporary Germany. Bavarians are generally more conservative than other Germans and the traditions of the past generations are alive and well in this scenic region of Central Europe. Roman Catholicism also plays an important role in local customs and culture and the Bavarian Alps are home to many beautiful churches and shrines. In particular, the roadside shrine is a common sight as in neighbouring Tyrol.

Landscape

While the mountains are not particularly high on a global scale (the Zugspitze rises only to about 3,050 m), they are nonetheless imposing to the visitor and native alike. This is because of the massive vertical rise that the mountains take on from the Bavarian countryside south of Munich giving the viewer the impression that they are much higher than they really are. Added the fact that the mountains are older in geological terms, they are quite chiselled at their peaks giving the traveller wonderful views like the famous home peak of Berchtesgaden, the Watzmann. Alpine crystal blue lakes and flowing rivers are abundant in the region as well. Thick fir tree forests hide abundant wildlife and thousands of kilometres of marked hiking trails that could easily lead you over the open frontier to Austria. The region is popular with motorbike riders and mountain bikers too.

Cities

• Füssen with Neuschwanstein
• Oberstdorf
• Bad Reichenhall
• Mittenwald
• Berchtesgaden
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Get in

The closest major cities are Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The border to Austria is open to passport-free travel. There are both excellent road and rail links from the above cities. Major highways (Autobahns) can get jammed during the summer tourist months in Bavaria.

Get around

Considering the rural and mountainous nature of the region, the area's rail network is well established and its hub is in Munich. There are many connections to neighbouring Innsbruck and Salzburg in Austria. The road system is excellent as well and offers wonderful opportunities for road biking.

See

• Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee Palace, Fraueninsel
• Zugspitze at 2,962 m is the highest mountain in Germany. Can be reached with cable car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen#Zugspitze,

Do

Hiking or "wandern" in German, is a major pastime in the summer months. Skiing and snowboarding are quite popular at the high quality (yet small) resorts found in southern Bavaria.

Drink

Bavaria is known for some of the best beer on the planet!

Sleep

Lodging

Bavaria's youth hostels (Jugendherbergen) are the only ones in Germany that have an age limit. If you are over 26 years of age you are out of luck, unless you are a member of a hosteling association (although nightly guest memberships are available from hostels for a small charge). The Bavarian Alps are a major tourist and vacation destination inside Germany so there are thousands of guesthouses or pensionen in the area. Cities also have hotels which are more pricey and less charming.

Stay safe

There are no major cities in the Bavarian Alps so dangerous drivers and mountain roads and wildlife may be your only real concern. Mountain safety is the key when going to higher altitudes as every year tourists die in accidents because of reckless behaviour and poor planning.