ChrisandNish

hi folks,

I've dug through some of the threads on what I am about to inquire about and have found them useful, however we are planning on staying longer and so I am asking in that context.

We are planning on spending a month in Bavaria in July - we have a week of travel worked out already but would also like to spend three weeks (or so) in a single spot in the Alps. We have a vehicle, have little interest in staying in a large city, but would still like to be close enough to go to a larger city that we could drive there and back in a day (or, at most, stay overnight and come back the next day). And, we would like to be near some relatively novice hiking trails. We were told by friends that Garmisch-Partenkirchen might be one locale, but that seems like it would be pretty chocked with tourists in July (particularly so, that is).

Anyway, I suppose what I am asking is, does anyone have any suggestions for a locale to stay in (we would very likely rent an airbnb unit for the three weeks). Any suggestions would be useful, as I obviously have little or no experience with this area, we've just seen stunning photos.

thanks in advance,

Chris

nytraveler

What do you mean by a "larger city"? the larger city in the area is Munich. Or do you mean towns - like G-P, or Innsbruck - rather than the small village it sounds like you want to stay in.

ChrisandNish

hi, nytraveler - yes, larger towns (as in, 20K rather than 5K).

CTtraveler63

Perhaps you should investigate Bad Reichenhall.
It is very close to Salzburg as well as to Berchtesgaden. It is pleasant and walkable and has a fabulous, modern thermal spa.
You will be able to find a reasonably priced place to stay. From there you can take lifts, hike, visit Königsee, enjoy many cultural sites etc. it isn't nearly as mobbed with tourists as G-P.
Check it out---- they have great tourism info available.

Another great base might be Murnau, quite close to Munich in the Blue Lakes region. It's not the Alps, but you can easily get around from there.

Perhaps split these two bases...

traveller1959

If you have a vehicle, the microlocation is not too important. For macrolocation, there are two basic options:

1. The region around Garmisch, Oberammergau. There you have access to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, the Ludwig castles, the picturesque lakes Kochelsee and Walchensee an more. Garmisch hotels are quite expensive, but in the greater vicinity you may find an affordable apartment. (I have relatives living in Ohlstadt and they are either taking the train into Garmisch oder riding the bicycle.)

2. The region around Berchtesgaden, Bad Reichenhall and Salzburg. There you have also impressive mountains, the Königssee (IMO the most beautiful Alpine lake), salt mines, spa, Salzburg with its attractions, Hitler's bunker and the Chiemsee with its splendid palace in easy reach.

Which region is nicer? Hard to say, I personally would probably favour Berchtesgaden a bit over Garmisch. But it depends on your interests, of course.

If you have three weeks, I would even suggest to change location and spend one week here and the other two weeks there. Driving time between both regions would be 2 1/2 hours if you take the autobahn (not so scenic, but faster).

A third option would be basing yourself somewhere in between e.g. at the Tegernsee). But this would require considerable driving almost every day.

MarthaT

Check out Ehrwald at the base of the Zupspitze. Convenient location to get to the Ludwig castles and other places.
A few years ago I stayed there for 3 nights and did day trips.