Hiking in Germany & Austria - Tyrolean Alps & Bavarian Beauty

According to a local saying in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, "Those loved by God are brought here." This sentiment is easy to understand since the Bavarian Alps can seem like heaven on Earth.

For my family (myself, my Backroads husband and our toddler), it's our favorite place in the world to play and relax. We live nearby in central Germany in a traditional, multi-generational home--and if it weren't for the pull of being close to extended family, we would move to Bavaria in a heartbeat. I was over the moon when we received the green light to develop a new Backroads Walking & Hiking trip in Bavaria and Tyrol, from Salzburg to Munich. Not only could we bring guests to this gorgeous and relatively unknown corner of the world, but for me personally it would be that perfect combination of work and pleasure. The reasons why are many. The landscapes--snowcapped mountains, crystal clear lakes, alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, shady forests--are both inspiring and soothing. And then layer the history into all that natural beauty--the whimsical castles of Bavarian kings, Napoleon's advance through the region, the eerie remains of Hitler's mountain retreat, the filming of The Sound of Music, a mysterious stone circle said to contain a natural force field and long-standing traditions from alpine farming to World Cup skiing. At the end of a day of hiking here, I feel exhilarated, exhausted, refreshed and with a lot to think about.

And it's just so easy to be active outdoors here. The Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps have the best infrastructure imaginable with miles and miles of well-marked trails of all difficulty levels, mountain alms (traditional huts for rest and refreshment) to soak in views and savor local specialties, and outstanding hotels and restaurants to return to at the end of the hike. All three of the Backroads properties have extensive spas and two of them feature Michelin-starred restaurants to round out a great day of hiking.

The people I've met along the way have also quickly become friends. I'm love introducing Backroads guests to the locals who join us throughout our journey. Take Sabine, for example--a private Tyrolean chef who prepares a meal for us in her garden. When I first met Sabine she greeted me with a warm smile, squeeze of the arm and a twinkle in her eye; we had an instant connection. And that was cemented after tasting her fresh apricot cake. It's the best I've ever had (even better than my German grandmother's--and I didn't think that was possible). Her personality and food perfectly reflect the gemütlichkeit (coziness) of the region. I originally thought that designing this trip would be easy. I was wrong. The difficulty lay in choosing between the myriad amazing hikes, cultural experiences and superb properties. I've never experienced such luxury when creating a trip in any other place in the world. So I hiked and hiked and hiked, stayed in beautiful properties, and met many interesting local guides and experts (tough job, I know) until I felt we had an incredible trip that  truly highlights everything the region has to offer. Now I treasure bringing Backroads guests to Bavaria and Tyrol on our new Salzburg to Munich Walking & Hiking trip. I hope to see you here! I'd love to show you around.