The Allgäu is a true hiking paradise. The Bavarian region near the Austrian border is ideal for walking of every kind and difficulty. Whether valley walking without great effort, hiking in the Alpine foothills with plenty of variety, alpine walking over mountain heights or climbing tours through the Allgäu Alps — the Allgäu is versatile terrain.
Valley walks for beginners, nature lovers and those seeking recreation
Novice hikers, nature lovers and active people seeking recreation can undertake fantastic walks in the Allgäu without great effort.
Around the Allgäu lakes or the clear streams and rivers in the middle of the Allgäu valley landscapes there are numerous trails that promise a genuine experience of nature. In the western Allgäu between Oberstaufen and Lindenberg there are 18 Alpine dairies.
On a leisurely valley walk there is opportunity everywhere to stop at one of the many inns and enjoy the regional cheese specialities. For the health-conscious the Kneipp trail between Bad Grönenbach and Bad Wörishofen is not only good for you but also extremely interesting.
The trail passes all the stations of Sebastian Kneipp's life. Hiking and pilgrimage can be combined splendidly in the Allgäu too. Part of the Way of St. James runs through the Allgäu. Walkers can complete an entire pilgrimage on the Crescentia Trail. The 88 km route leads through the beautiful Allgäu landscape past numerous works of church art and offers ample opportunity for inner contemplation.
Walking the foothills at middle altitudes
Magnificent views, tours over mountains, through valleys and through woods and meadows — walking at middle altitudes in the Allgäu is extremely varied. The Oberallgäu circular trail begins and ends in Kempten. Over more than 200 km it leads in 10 stages through the pre-Alpine hill country of the Allgäu. On the nature experience trail from Sonthofen walkers reach the foot of the high Alps from the town centre and climb up to the Allgäu's local peaks. This route is particularly appealing for nature enthusiasts. The Hörner tour begins and ends in Fischen. The panorama trail runs over the Hörner ridge and offers a breathtaking view across large parts of the Allgäu.
Alpine hiking and climbing tours
Alpine hiking and exciting climbing tours in the high mountains are a true experience in the Allgäu Alps. While the Allgäu itself lies for the most part in Bavaria, about half of the Allgäu Alps belong to Austria. The loveliest routes pass mountain huts along the Allgäu ridge. A popular tour runs from the Landsberger Hütte in the Austrian Tannheim valley to the Fiderepasshütte high above the Kleinwalsertal. The walk leads through the high mountains without a descent into the valley.
Alpine hiking in the Allgäu during a holiday in Austria
The Allgäu is among the best-known and most popular holiday regions in Germany and offers walkers ideal conditions. Whoever decides on alpine hiking in the Allgäu high mountains, though, does not necessarily have to spend their holiday on the Bavarian side, in the Allgäu itself. The Tannheim valley on the Austrian side, for instance, is an ideal base for climbing the Allgäu high ridge and resting at one of the huts staffed in summer to taste Allgäu specialities. To take part in such a unique experience, a hotel in the Tannheim valley in Tyrol is an ideal starting point, because the best and most impressive high trails through the Allgäu Alps start from there. Perhaps it is also an idea to split the holiday and experience the beauty of the landscape from both sides.
Image 1: Flickr.com CC-BY-ND © tacker Image 2: Peterdexheimer [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons