Bavarian Alps: attractions, tours, reviews

Mountain ranges, like other geographic sites, do not recognize political boundaries. Therefore, the term "Bavarian Alps" is not strictly scientific. After all, the ridge stretches not only on the German federal state of the same name, but also seizes part of Austria, as well as a piece of another administrative unit of the FRG - Baden-Württemberg. Of course, these mountains are not the highest in the Alps. The highest point in Bavaria (and at the same time all of Germany) is the summit of Zugspitze. It reaches a height of incomplete three thousand meters, to be precise, 2,962 m above sea level. However, the Alps within the Upper Bavaria are very picturesque and are a tourist destination almost all year round. In winter, ski resorts function here, and in the summer tourists, trekking, mountaineering and hiking tours come here. And bathing in thermal mineral springs and excursions through ancient towns and castles is a pleasure for every season. Let's take a virtual tour of the Bavarian Alps. It promises to be very interesting.

A bit of geography

Let's start by understanding what the Bavarian Alps are and what part of the mountain system they occupy. Bayerische Alpen lies in the southeast of Germany. And if we consider the Alps as a mountainous country, then the Bavarian part occupies the extreme north-east. This territory lies between the valleys of the Zalah and Lekh rivers. And in scientific language it is called the Northern limestone Alps. This part of the mountainous country is relatively low, but very rocky. Borders of the Bavarian ridges are the Western Rat, the Northern Tyrol limestone and the Salzburg Alps. But even within the boundaries of the federal land, the mountain system has its division. It consists of ridges: the Algae Alps with the summit of Hochfrottspitze (2649 m), Ammergauer (Kreuzspitze, 2340 m), Chiemgauer (Zonntagshorn, 1961 m), Berchtesgadensky (Vacmann, 2713 m), Karwendel (Ostlich-Karvendelspitze, 2537 m). The highest is Wetterstein with the mountain Zugspitze.

Winter Holidays in the Bavarian Alps

This mountain system is the northern slopes of the main ridges. So, no matter how warm the winter is, the snow cover is guaranteed to you. It is accompanied by a developed infrastructure of entertainment, trails of various levels of complexity, an upscale European service that can be tested at the height of more than thirty ski resorts. And they go straight from the slopes of Zugspitze. This mountain is famous for the fact that the tracks for skiers and snowboarders operate here all year round. But this is not all the merits of the Zugspitze. Ascent to this mountain will not be difficult, because a mountain train (it leaves the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen) and a cable car will take to the top. Zugspitze is a fairly long mountain. It consists of several separate vertices. They are also led by lifts. At the ski resorts there is a whole conceivable leisure infrastructure. The trails are well equipped, many are lit in the evening. You can dine at numerous restaurants with a panoramic view of the Bavarian Alps. At the resorts carefully thought out après-ski. So you will not get bored by skiers.

Summer tourists: what is for them?

But not only trails and winter fun seduce this fabulous land. The Bavarian Alps were mastered by travelers a long time ago. The first tourist marked road was laid in the 1850s by the king of the independent principality Maximilian II. These trails were fully adapted for ladies who, despite the uncomfortable women's outfits of that time, wished to enjoy a delightful view. Therefore, traveling through the "Maximilianweg" will not be too tiring. You can drive to the beautiful Lake Aybsee from Garmisch-Partenkirchen by mountain train and walk along the circular trail along the nature reserve. From the ancient town of Grainau, the Alpshpitzbank ski lift leads to the summit of Osterfelderkopf (2,050 meters above sea level). The upper station also serves as a restaurant. At the table with a glass of beer to admire the view well, but on the observation deck hanging over the precipice, even better. The Kreuzek lift will take you to the second peak of the same name (1652 m). Both upper stations are connected by a pedestrian marked path.

Bavarian Alps: sights of history and architecture

Castles and ancient places in this mountainous region so much that the space in this article is enough only to simply list them. Photo of the castle Neuschwanstein ("New Swan Cliff") near the town of Füssen is decorated with every guide to Germany. This, of course, is a remake, stylized by the Middle Ages, but it is very beautiful in the mountains. Another castle to visit, Linderhof, near the village of Oberammergau. Each locality in the Bavarian Alps surprises with its unusual architecture. Particularly interesting is the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In its surroundings there is a castle of the 1st century and a magnificent church with a frescoed dome. It is worthwhile to call in Tegernsee. Not far from this town, in the municipality of Rottach-Egern, is the famous Gorbachev villa in the Bavarian Alps. True, the last head of the USSR this year announced the sale of their possessions.

The edge of the lakes

During the last ice age, a mass of snow was poured into the cavities, which were then filled with water. According to the number of lakes, Upper Bavaria is almost inferior to Karelia. But swimming in these mountain reservoirs is not recommended, because the lakes are very hot. And the edges are reserved. The only mountain water body that is completely open to the public is Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps. It is located just 50 kilometers from Munich, and residents of the capital of the federal land like to come here on weekends. Here you can do yachting, surfing, water skiing, and in the winter - ice skating. Chiemsee and Königsee are also interesting.

Bavarian Alps: tours

This region does not know what a "non-season" is. As soon as the snow comes down from the ski slopes, the trekking, mountaineering and walking enthusiasts aspire to conquer the peaks. From Moscow tours are sent to the Bavarian Alps all year round. It is expected to live in Munich and the resort mountain towns, such as Ettal, Berchtesgaden, with visits to local castles and other attractions. There are health tours. Provision is made to visit therapeutic baths on Lake Tegernsee (where Gorbachev's villa is located in the Bavarian Alps). As we already wrote, this year this manor with the romantic name "Ubert's Castle" was put up for sale. And if you have seven million euros, you can become a happy owner of an alpine chalet with a tower built in 1908.