Hi everyone,

I have 6 days to spend (leaving from and returning to Munich) to spend driving around the Bavarian/Austrian/Swiss/(maybe Italian)Alps. I know I can't do everything in that time...Just looking for scenery and small towns/villages to visit...And trying to avoid crowds to the extent possible (this will be the 2nd week of September).

Does anyone have any suggestions on: routes, towns, or books/websites to get info?

Thanks!

daveny,

I would definitely include the Dolomites for some amazing scenery (different formations from the rest of the Alps).

Cortina d'Ampezzo is perhaps a larger town than you're looking for, but it shouldn't be crowded at all mid September.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Hi Dave, I know zero about driving in Europe, except that short distances take a lot longer than you think they do in the alps and parking is a pain.

Be that as it may, let's just pretend it is possible to do this. Why don't you start playing around with some names, doing image searchs and using the michelin site to help you figure routes? Here are some to start with in a wobbley loop from Munich: Berchtesgaden, and then either down towards St. Gilgen and Halstatt in Austria or west toward Mittenwald, then down toward the Dolomites, then west to the Swiss Engadin (Zuoz maybe?), then up toward Lucerne (a number of lake villages to choose from), then back east to Lindau on Bodensee, then maybe Fussen, and finally back to Munich.

If nothing else, this itinerary from a non driver is sure to bring you some constructive comments (and some criticism pour moi). J.

Scenery and small towns ... From Munich you can drive either south/southwest or eastwards.
SOUTH:
Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Zugspitze, ... while in the area visit the Wieskirche, maybe King Ludwig's castles or just drive through the amazing landscape with the Karwendel mountains in the background.
SOUTHWEST:
Oberstdorf, Mittelberg, and accross the Austrian border Lech or St. Anton (stunning views on the Lechtaler Alpen), further west to Lindau at the Bodensee (Lake Constance) where Germany meets Austria and Switzerland.
EAST:
The beautiful Berchtesgadener Land with the Königssee. It's a mountain lake, really stunning scenery. You can do some really good hiking there: in Schönau am Königssee take either the boat to hike in the national park, or the cablecar up to Mt. Jenner (1800m), visit Berchtesgaden (where Hitler had his Eagle's Nest). Also Salzburg is just 20 km away. A very pretty city!

So much to see in this area. You will have no problem at all to spend 6 days. We've done the west/southwest part last year in June and the east part this June. I presume September and June will be comparable crowd-wise, which wasn't bad at all.
My pictures are on Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/myriamhc

Just wanted to thank all you guys for your help!

You may want to consider a route that will take you through Zell am See (70km south of Salzburg) and Kaprun. You can access the mountain road that leads you through Hohe Tauern National Park and over the Grossglockner.(Highest mountain in Austria) This highway has some extraordinary views-bring your camera. Kaprun is the home of a very unusual hydroelectric plant that should be on the "must see" list.
For more details search for "Grossglockner","Kaprun",Ze ll am See" and "Heiligenblut" on the internet. Check weather conditions before crossing the Grossglockner. Distances between these sites are short but, I would allow at least 3 days to see everything. Roadsigns to these locations are also good although a map is recommended.