Bavaria: King Ludwig's Way

Make your own way by train to Starnberg. This small resort town is attractively situated by the Starnbergersee (Lake Starnberg), with views up the lake to the distant Alps.Those arriving early can take a boat trip to Leoni on the first afternoon and walk the first 7 km/4 miles of King Ludwig's Way back along the lakeshore via Berg where a chapel overlooks the point in the lake where King Ludwig was found dead to Starnberg.

From Starnberg you walk through the well wooded Maisinger Schlucht (Maising Valley) to the Maisinger See (Lake Maising - a wetland nature reserve). Stop at Andechs, this world famous pilgrimage church was originally built in 1420, and rebuilt in the rococo style in the 18th century. The tower rises high above the hills overlooking the Ammersee. The church belongs to Andechs Monastery, and you will have an opportunity to taste some of the monastery’s own traditional dark and potent 'Andechser' brew. You then walk down through the woods to Herrsching, another deservedly popular lakeside resort, on the eastern shore of the Ammersee, where you can relax at a cafe while you wait for the ferryboat across the lake to Diessen; a nice way to round off the day.

The longest day’s walk of the tour, much of it level although with a steep ascent and descent near the end. You start with an opportunity to visit the baroque cathedral (Marienmuenster) in Diessen before walking through the forest and across meadows to Wessobrun monastery. An opportunity for lunch at a wayside Gasthof in Wessobrun. Continue via St Leonhard-im-Forst with a fine village church to the summit of Hohenpeissenberg hill (988m/3241 feet), the highest point on King Ludwig's Way, with its splendid views. On the summit are a pilgrimage church, an astronomical observatory and a café with a scenic lounge. Then a steep descent across haymeadows to Unterbau to overnight. Walking time does not include sightseeing stops.

Not a long walk, but traverses the wildest landscapes of the tour. From Hohenpeissenberg village you descend into the depths of the romantic Ammerschlucht (Ammer Gorge). The main trail through the Ammerschlucht is a delightful mix of forest and riverside walking in a steep sided valley. There is also a longer alternative climbing high above the valley. Rottenbuch's Augustinian Abbey, formerly a Stiftskirche (now a Pfarrkirche – parish church), was originally a Romanesque basilica dating back to the 11th Century. It was extended in gothic style and between 1730 and 1750 it was decorated in the rococo style. The jovial nature of the style is seen in its decoration with cherubs. Overnight at Rottenbuch.

Carry on to Wies (also known as Wieskirche), which boasts Bavaria’s most beautiful Pilgrimage church, built in 1745-54 under the supervision of Dominikus Zimmerman. The name means 'meadow' or 'meadow church', and the incongruously surrounded by hay meadows. After lunch at the conveniently situated Gasthof you continue along the base of the densely forested Alpine escarpment to the prosperous village of Trauchgau.

The final day’s walk takes you via the Pollath gorge to the castles of Neuschwanstein. Descend to Hohenschwangau castle and the Alpsee, before walking on to the historic town of Füssen where you overnight.

A day to explore the town of Füssen and its beautiful surroundings. Easily accessible are a large number of walks and excursions, including the Tegelberg, a high level wonderland for walkers at 1800m, reached by cable car. Also close to Füssen are the beautiful Alatsee and Alpsee (lakes), with delightful circular walks. You can also take a boat trip on the Forggensee or nip across the border into the Austrian Tirol (only just over a mile away, even closer from Alatsee or Alpsee).

After breakfast, make your way to the train station for your onward journey.