LAKE KOENIGSSEE TO LAKE CHIEMSEE ALPINE PASTURES, LAKES & VIEWS LAKE KOENIGSSEE TO LAKE CHIEMSEE SUMMARY Walk through the Chiemgau Alps, an area of flower filled alpine pastures, crystal clear lakes, deep gorges and soft limestone mountains, nestled in the border region between Bavaria, Salzburg and Tirol. Great walking and charming traditional hotels in picture postcard villages make this a wonderful introduction to walking in the Eastern Alps. Your walking holiday commences in Schoenau, near the emerald green glacial Lake Koenigssee or ‘King’s Lake’ in the extreme south east of Bavaria. As you gaze up at towering Watzmann peak listen out for the traditional call of the flugelhorn echoing from the surrounding sheer rock walks, a fitting send off as you begin your walk. Pass the natural idyll of Lake Hintersee and walk on between the evocatively sounding summits of Eisberg and Hochkalter deep into the Berchtesgaden National Park which is home to sure footed mountain goats and dashing marmots. Traverse rich alpine pastures into Austria and navigate the turbulent white water gorge of Seisbergklamm into the lush Saalach Valley. Wind your way through Europe’s longest cave and take a refreshing dip in the natural plunge pool at Vorderkaser gorge before Tour: Lake Koenigssee to Lake Chiemsee following the pilgrims route to the 17th century Church of Maria Kirchental. Code: WGSKC Type: Self-guided walking holiday A cable car ascent takes you to the high plateau of Loferer Alm in the Chiemgau Alps where you cross silent Price: See website mountain forests out into the wide Winkelmoos Alm pasture accompanied by the musical cadence of Dates: end May - mid September echoing cow bells. Visit the picturesque village of Reit im Winkl to enjoy a brotzeit Bavarian snack beneath Days: 8 Days (6 Walking Days) clear blue alpine skies. Follow the trail through meadows carpeted by alpine roses and ascend by cable car Nights: 7 Nights to the pastures of Hochplatte to walk on to the 1,669m summit of Kampenwand affording panoramic views Start/Finish: Schoenau/Prien across to pristine Lake Chiemsee, the so called ‘Bavarian Sea’. Descend by cable car enjoying the Grade: Moderate panoramic mountain and lake views to arrive at the town of Aschau, situated in the shadow of the high peaks. Here you will surely wish to toast your achievement with a refreshing glass of foaming Hefeweizen Is It For Me? wheat beer. Walking in the Chiemgau Alps is the perfect introduction to walking in the Alps. Comforta- Our Lake Koenigssee to Lake Chiemsee walking holiday includes fabulous alpine walking, 7 nights hand ble hotels, easy access, great walking and a picked accommodation in traditional 3 star hotels with breakfast provided every morning, daily door to door traditional Bavarian welcome will make this a baggage transfer, a detailed information pack and maps, a welcome meeting, some transfers, all cable car trip to remember. tickets and emergency support. What’s Included? HIGHLIGHTS Accommodation: 7 Nights in traditional 3* Hotels with en-suite facilities. Meals: 7 Breakfasts. Half board option Spectacular Alpine scenery above idyllic Lake Koenigssee available. Traversing the turbulent deep cut gorges of Seisbergklamm and Voderkasser Baggage transfer: Door-to-door baggage Reaching the summit of Kampenwand with panoramic views of the Lake Chiemsee transfer. Info pack: Detailed route notes and maps Charming traditional hotels with hearty local food and welcomes on arrival. The sound of alpine cow bells as walk through flower filled Alpine meadows Welcome meeting: At 6pm in Schoenau. Transfers: Morning transfer to Ramsau WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? on first walking day. Cable cars: Uphill to Lofer and Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers Hochplatte. Downhill to Aschau. we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding walking Emergency support: From our local rep- holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breath-taking scenery and warm, resentative and office. welcoming accommodation are all guaranteed. LAKE KOENIGSSEE TO LAKE CHIEMSEE ALPINE PASTURES, LAKES & VIEWS your walk. walk awaits at Vorderkaser with 51catwalks to ITINERARY - WGSKC negotiate above the cascading Odenbach river. Our local representative will meet you at your You may wish to soak your feet or even take a Code: WGSKC hotel in Schoenau at 6pm for a welcome meeting. dip in the natural swimming pool at the gorge Days: 8 (6 Walking days) They will provide maps and answer any last entrance. Nights: 7 minute questions you may have. Grade: Moderate The trail ascends out of the valley passing Overnight: Schoenau, 3 Star hotel through silent mountain woodland guiding you on Day Route Km Hotel - Hotel Koenigssee, Hotel Bergheimat or a pilgrimage route to the 17th century Baroque Hotel Schiffmeister Church of Maria Kirchental. Centred around a 1 Arrive Schoenau and - Gothic statue of Madonna, the church also overnight DAY 2 houses a large collection of votive art. 2 Transfer to Ramsau and 18 walk to Weißbach Transfer to Ramsau and walk to From here the route crosses a high pass and 3 Walk to Lofer 15 Weißbach winds its way down the valley to bring you out at 4 Walk to Winklemoos Alm - 16/17 the village of Lofer sitting astride the turbulent Bus to Reit im Winkl Your day starts with a 9am transfer to the village Saalach river. Try the local peat water and mud 5 Rest day or walk to Fell- - of Ramsau, your entry point into Berchtesgaden bath cures to ease any aches and pains and horn summit National Park. A real highlight is idyllic, picture relax in the shadow of the Loferer Steinberge 6 Walk to Marquartstein 20 postcard Lake Hintersee situated at the edge of 7 Walk to Aschau/Chiemsee 13 mountain range . the ‘magic forest’. A draw to artists and film 8 Onward travel makers since the 19th century, it was chosen for Walk: 15km, 4.5 hrs, ascent 325m, descent its romantic pastoral setting. 371m Crossing pastures rich with alpine flora you Overnight: Lofer, 3 star hotel ascend to traverse the high Hirschbichl Pass DAY 4 DETAILED ITINERARY (1183m) into Austria. From here the trail descends to pass through the deeply eroded Cable car to Loferer Alm - Walk to DAY 1 canyons and tunnels of the Seisenbergklamm Winklemoos Alm - Bus to Reit im Gorge. Negotiating the gorge along boardwalks Arrive Schoenau/Lake Koenigssee above the turbulent waters is a delight. The route Winkl Schoenau is located in Bavaria, South Germany continues out into the wide glacial Saalach Valley A relaxing though thrilling start to the day as you and is accessible by bus from Salzburg (1.5hrs). with sweeping pastures that divide the ride the cable car up the steep slopes to the Salzburg Airport, just 20km away is served by Bergtesgaden and Cheimgau Alps, leading you alpine pastures of Loferer Alm. There are two flights from the UK and the rest of Europe. The on to the alpine hiking base of Weißbach. walking choices, a leisurely trail through mountain forest or a high level route across the nearby town of Berchtesgaden has a train station Walk: 18km, 5.5 hrs, ascent 494m, descent Loferer Steinplatte pasture passing traditional with services from Munich (3hrs) and beyond. 504m alpine huts. Both lead to the wide plateau of Schoenau is situated at the northern end of lake Overnight: Weißbach, 3 star hotel Winklemoos Alm, a perfect place to stop and Koenigssee. Noted for its deep, clear waters it is enjoy a traditional Bavarian ‘Brotzeit’ snack in the also known as the ‘cleanest lake in Germany’. DAY 3 mountain restaurants. The glacial lake is surrounded by sheer limestone Walk to Lofer cliffs that merge into steeply rising mountain From here a local bus will take you to the small flanks dominated by the craggy peak of Walking through the Saalach Valley the route village of Reit in Winkl which, though Bavarian, Watzmann (2,713m) to the west. takes you into the Lamprechts passage cave, the borders the states of Tyrol and Salzburg, hence longest in Europe, with a total length of 51km. ‘Winkl’ which means ‘corner’. A vibrant cultural The cliffs are noted for creating a perfect echo Follow walkways past waterfalls and centre, the village is noted for it’s folk music, and the traditional call of the flugelhorn filling the subterranean brooks as you explore the theatre, operettas and musicals. valley will surely set the scene as you commence cavernous interior. Another exhilarating gorge LAKE KOENIGSSEE TO LAKE CHIEMSEE ALPINE PASTURES, LAKES & VIEWS Choice of Walks: 16/17km, 5.5 hrs, ascent whereupon a cable car transports you up the This walking holiday is graded moderate. The 682m/530m, descent 730m/581m steep slopes to alight on the trail to Hochplatte itinerary involves distance walking with some summit. Here you are above the snow line and steep ascents and descents along mountain Overnight: Reit im Winkl, 3 star hotel the route may still have a covering in the summer paths, which can be rocky and exposed in nature. DAY 5 months adding to the high alpine ambiance. With This requires a good head for heights and an altitude of 1,587m you are afforded views surefootedness in places. You should have a Rest day or walk to summit of across the rocky snow capped peaks of the good level of walking fitness to get the most from Fellhorn Chiemgauer Alps and the Kaiser range. this holiday. Today you have the choice of a well earned rest Moving onward the route hugs the steep slopes Navigation day to enjoy the many cultural and historical leading you toward the impressive peak of attractions of Reit im Winkl or, for the energetic, a Kampenwand.