Today I was reminiscing on one of my trips from this year; The German Alps. I never before had the chance to visit them but for way too long they had been one of my top destinations. When I luckily won a contest from an airline which prize was a return ticket anywhere I wanted, the choice was already taken!
It couldn’t come more handy to had this happen to me around beginning of autumn. Which is also known as LOW SEASON up in the Alps because the weather conditions might not be as good or ‘enjoyable’ as in spring/summer to do some hiking and swimming nor like winter for skiing. But, if you are a bit cheap like I am and always check for the best opportunities, going to the Alps during fall might be the way to go.
Accommodation price is much lower, there’s not that many people around everywhere and the landscape is stunning all painted in warm earthy tones (great as well for those IG #autumnaesthetic photos).
As a nature lover and having in mind I wanted to do some hiking here and there while being in the Alps, explore different paths around and spent as much time as possible wandering in the mountains I did some research and wrote down few spots I didn’t want to miss. Now, after having visited and enjoyed them and knowing the worth of taking some time off your agendas to go there; I am bringing this FIVE HIGHLIGHTS spots you should definitely visit when you go to the Alps!
*All these places are easy reachable by public transportation. We went to these places while staying at two different accommodation spots: in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Salzburg.
#1 Partnachklamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen: You have to pay an entrance fee -which was not that high- and if you get the Garmisch-Partenkirchen GuestCard (our accommodation gave it to us for free), you will have some discount. Walking distance from Garmisch.
#2 Partnachalm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Despite it being some sort of beer garden/restaurant I totally encourage you to first walk around the area (it’s close by the Partnachklamm with beautiful walking paths everywhere) in order to get a bit tired first so that once you reach it you have the excuse to have a beer or two and some food with these outstanding views from where you sit.
#3 Eibsee, Grainau: One of the many lakes one can find in the Alps. If you’re staying nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I recommend you to take the EibseeBus which will take you there in around half an hour. You can find different hiking paths; I did the one that goes all around the lake which was a really nice stroll that gives you the chance to see Eibsee from different perspectives.
#4 Könnigsee, Schonau am Könnigsee: Another one of the many lakes in the Alps. This one in the Berchtesgaden National Park (a not even one hour bus drive from central Salzburg) with several hiking paths that lead you to spectacular sightseeing points.
It also offers the possibility to take a boat ride to St Bartholomew’s Church -at the other side of the lake-. I didn’t take it because I found it to be too expensive for my budget (15’50€ round trip).
#5 Gaisberg, Salzburg: Just a 30 minutes bus ride from central Salzburg; a must in all senses. You can choose wether to stop before the bus reaches the top and hike all the way up or if to go direct to the top, enjoy the views and topped it off with a lovely Kaiserschmarrn mit Apfelmus at Kohlmayr’s Gaisbergspitz (so delicious!).
