German & Austrian Alps Hiking & Walking Tour
Mountains, Lakes & Castles: Salzburg to Munich
Bring a journal and it will soon read like a storybook. Impossibly deep lakes beneath the snowcapped peaks of the Alps. Blankets of wildflowers flowing into the horizon. Majestic fairy-tale palaces. Mountaintop hideaways from world wars. If any pages are left empty, it will only be because sometimes words are simply not enough.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $5,999 - $6,399/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Hike past limestone massifs, Alpine meadows and glacial lakes in Austria and Germany’s legendary Alps
- Experience warm hospitality in authentic Alpine huts and world-class service at luxurious modern spa hotels
- The history and culture of this ancient land come alive, from wine tasting in Berchtesgaden to the lanes of medieval Kitzbühel
- Discover the iconic fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II and hike the wooded grounds to the one-time king’s favorite lake
- Bookend your trip with stays in genteel Salzburg and fun-loving Munich, our captivating gateway cities
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Salzburg Airport & Travel Details
- Begin in beautiful Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart
- See the hills that inspired Maria’s song in The Sound of Music
- Walk along the rocky ridgeline that borders Germany and Austria
- Cowbells softly clang in nearby pastures as you sample local hearty fare at a mountain farmhouse
- Pay your respects to the somber history of the region at the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre
- Settle into an elegant chalet-style retreat
- Toast the journey ahead while tasting exquisite wines from both sides of the border.
Night 1
Luxury Hotel
Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, an ultramodern property with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Boat across glacier-carved Königssee, Germany’s deepest and cleanest lake, and cool off in the spray of the country’s highest waterfall
- Admire expansive vistas from high mountain passes
- Gondolas whisk you from the valley floor to the upper reaches of the Tyrolean Alps to reveal world-class hiking trails
- Explore medieval Kitzbühel, stopping for a Kaffee in the town’s charming pedestrian-friendly center
- Alpine elegance meets Relais & Châteaux hospitality at our superb family-owned hotel.
Nights 2-3
Luxury Hotel
This family-owned hotel offers a perfect balance of modern luxury and Tyrolean tradition, with sweeping mountain vistas. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Trek through the Isar Valley to cross the Germany-Austria border on foot
- Plunge into the subterranean world of Leutasch Gorge, whose rushing waters are hidden by steep mountain walls
- Hike to an Alpine plateau replete with jewel-like lakes for a view of some of the highest mountains in Austria
- Savor the surprising flavors of elevated German fare
- Step into a fairy tale when you set sights on iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, famed as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty castles
- End your trip in welcoming Munich with its green parks and festive biergartens.
Nights 4-5
Luxury Hotel
Enveloped by a verdant forest, relaxation comes easy at this secluded luxury retreat in the Austrian Alps. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Munich Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-4
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
