German & Austrian Alps Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - Experience the world’s best, from lavish luxury to chic retreats with prestigious alliances.

Deluxe Hotels - Find modern comforts in extraordinary settings, with great ambience and ample amenities.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

German & Austrian Alps Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - Experience the world’s best, from lavish luxury to chic retreats with prestigious alliances.

Deluxe Hotels - Find modern comforts in extraordinary settings, with great ambience and ample amenities.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2025: Jun-Sep2026: Jun, Aug

From $6,099 - $6,449 /person

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.

... Read more

Highlights

  • Hike past limestone massifs, alpine meadows and glacial lakes in Austria and Germany's legendary Alps
  • Experience warm hospitality in classic Bavarian beer halls and world-class service at luxurious modern spa hotels
  • The history and culture of this ancient land come alive, from cheese tasting at a mountain hut to the lanes of medieval Kitzbühel to the Disney-worthy turrets of Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Bookend your trip with stays in fun-loving Munich and genteel Salzburg, our captivating gateway cities 
  • Read More
Germany and Austria Alps Walking & Hiking Tour map

Austria & Germany

StartSalzburg

EndMunich

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Two hikers on Backroads trip in Bavaria.

Day 1

Description

Begin in beautiful Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart • See the hills that inspired Maria's song in The Sound of Music â€¢ Walk along the rocky ridgeline that borders Germany and Austria • Cowbells softly clang in nearby pastures as you sample local artisanal cheeses at a mountain farmhouse • Discover the history of this remote mountain 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.

Accommodations

Night 1

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden
Premiere Hotel

Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, an ultramodern property with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Woman leaning on balcony off of log cabin.

Days 2-3

Description

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.

Accommodations
Hotel Tennerhof

(2 nights)

Nights 2-3

Hotel Tennerhof
Kitzbühel
Premiere 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 based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Shot of beer, sausages, pretzels, etc.

Days 4-6

Description

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 â€¢ End your trip in welcoming Munich with its green parks and festive biergartens.

Accommodations
Schloss Elmau

(2 nights)

Nights 4-5

Schloss Elmau
Elmau
Premiere Hotel

Relaxation comes easy at this elegant hideaway in the Bavarian Alps. Built in 1916 as an eccentric castle-like manor, the property boasts its own library, bookstore, concert hall and hammam—as well as less tangible bragging rights, such as being the only venue ever to host the G7 Summit twice. A Leading Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

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What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

From $6,099 /person

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Hotels

World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Night 1

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden

Premiere Hotel

Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, an ultramodern property with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. (pool, spa)

Nights 2-3

Hotel Tennerhof
Kitzbühel

Premiere 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)

Nights 4-5

Schloss Elmau
Elmau

Premiere Hotel

Relaxation comes easy at this elegant hideaway in the Bavarian Alps. Built in 1916 as an eccentric castle-like manor, the property boasts its own library, bookstore, concert hall and hammam—as well as less tangible bragging rights, such as being the only venue ever to host the G7 Summit twice. A Leading Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)

From $6,099 /person

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Reviewed by 14 customers

"Our Favorite Things" in the Austrian/German Alps

Submitted June 2024

By johnb

From Charlotte, NC, USA

This trip is the quintessential Backroads Experience. It has good hiking, scenic landscapes, cultural experiences and lots of interesting history. The hotels are magnificent and the access to spa services make for a relaxing recovery after a long day of hiking. The local people are very hospitable and the countryside is easy to navigate. Backroads leaders will make this a memorable trip.....this is adventure travel at its best.

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Lunch in the high alpine meadows!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Fabulous trip

Submitted September 2023

By lynn

From Dallas,TX

We just returned from Austria in Germany Alps trip. This is our third Backroads trip each time they exceed expectations. The leaders make the trips and are exceptional. The hotels were fantastic. The hikes were perfect. We can't wait for our next trip.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Incredible views, a blast for all!

Submitted July 2023

By Kristen

From Dallas

We had the best time ever!!! The hotels were insanely nice, the food was DELICIOUS, and best of all, the hikes and views were breathtaking. 10/10 recommend.

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Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Truly the trip of a lifetime!

Submitted July 2023

By Cathy

From Gloucestershire, UK

Wonderful hikes, amazing hotels and great leaders. Everything really well organised and loved all the little treats and suprises.

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beautiful Alps!!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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The bar is high but this is one of our top Backroads trips.

Submitted May 2023

By Cathy

From St. Louis Mo

Wow! Scenic alpine hikes, fairytale castles exquisite accommodations and food, excellent knowledgeable guides. So worth it!

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Neuschwanstein Castle

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Wonderful

Submitted May 2023

By Drew

From DC

Fantastic. Beautiful hikes, charming hotels, wonderful food, fascinating culture, incredible local guides. 1,000% recommend.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Wished we had done it sooner!

Submitted July 2022

By Lori

From Austin, TX

What a great trip! This was my first Backroads trip (my husband's third). The hikes, sights, hotels, food, and leaders were all just exceptional. Already looking to book another trip soon.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Our trip truly exceeded our expectations!

Submitted September 2021

By Ccarol

From Folsom, CA

We stayed at the most stunning, beautiful hotels and ate wonderful meals throughout the trip. The hiking was spectacular and just as promised, was flexible to meet all of our needs. This trip takes you to incredibly beautiful forests and valleys. We stopped for lunch at mountain alms and were greeted like family. If you want an active, flexible, luxurious, well-paced trip, this is one to go on!

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Stopping for lunch at a mountain alm

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Just do it!

Submitted September 2021

By Beth

From Seattle, Washington

We have taken many BR trips and this one was one of the best! The scenery, the people and the food were exceptional. Jeremy and Kat did an outstanding job as our leaders along the way too. It's challenging to think about traveling to Europe right now, but it can be done and you should not let the extra travel challenges get in the way. Once we arrived, we could not believe we were in Europe again! Just awesome! We definitely did some "Forest Cleansing." It was so good for the soul!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Best trip we have ever taken.

Submitted August 2019

By henry david

From Boston

Fabulous walking in the Bavarian and Tyrolian Alps; excellent and different hotels all with great spas; unbelievably good food; organization that was so smooth and exactly on time; a delightful group of other walkers; and best of all leaders who were intelligent and interesting and interested and who were so knowledgeable. They took such good and kindly care of us. We found this trip to be absolutely wonderful and excellent value.

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Heading down into the clouds

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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From $6,099 /person

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Want to learn more about this trip?

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