Castle "ruins" Tirol, Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland ?
 

When in UK 2 years ago my nieces loved wandering around the Castle ruins that we we went to ~ Kenilworth and Chepstow (also Tintern Abbey).

If we take a trip together in 2015, we are thinking of flying into Munich, staying a few days each near Berchtesgaden, Garmish Partenkirchen and Grindelwald, and maybe a day or 2 in Meersburg or Weggis. We could also dip down into the Dolomites area. We would fly home from Zurich.

We will of course do some of Ludwigs Castles, but the younger niece in particular would prefer ruins to walk around. We will have a car.

Any ideas?

www.ruineaggstein.at sitting above the Wachau valley in Austria

http://www.festung.kufstein.at/index.php/en/

Not exactly ruins but an ancient fortress in Kufstein, Tirol

The Basel area has several castle ruins. Most popular are the ruins of the castle at Leymen, right on the France/Switzerland border. At one time in the 20th century, it was home to a monkey colony (no idea why). The monkeys are long gone, but our dog always growls at certain corners of the ruins. She must be sensing monkey ghosts....

Another lover of ruins...

On my last trip to Austria I got to 3:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgruine_Griffen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgruine_Landskron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friesach

Here's a list that might help find ones near where you will be:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_Austria

~Liz

Durnstein in Austria has a gorgeous ruined castle on top of a hill. Great views, beautiful town.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BCrnstein

Switzerland is chock-full of such historic fortifications called either "Burg" (which is more about defensible fortification) or Schloss = castle, which is more about the feudal aspects. Some left in ruins for people like you who like to scamper all over what's left, others are in ruins but minimally kept up with an observation tower or platform, others are still intact and open to the public at certain hours.

If you google the word Burgruinen followed by the name of a canton, for example "Burgruinen Kanton Bern" you'll get lots of returns. Only a few in English, but copy and paste the German text into Google Translate and it's all there.

In case you're headed to Bern and its mountain region called Bernese Oberland, here are just a few that would enchant your family:

In the broad Swiss valley region called Emmental (yes, where they make the famous Emmental Swiss cheese - there are demonstrations for visitors, see www.emmentaler-schaukaeserei.ch/de/home.html) is a village called Lauperswil, above which you’ll find the ruins of Burg Wartenstein, a short walk from the nearest train station: Neumühle (on the line S4 from Bern to Langnau and Thun)

This one is situated in a lovely location overlooking the lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland, above the village of Gwatt, in the community of Strättligen: Strättligburg - see www.burgergemeindestraettligen.ch/page10.php

These two are a short distance from each other, in the mountaineous heart of the Bernese Oberland in a valley called Kandertal, not overrun by tourists but appreciated by the Swiss for its beauty and hiking opportunities:

Burgruine Tellenburg (from around year 1,200) near Frutigen, with a look-out tower, nearest train station: Frutigen

Burgruine Felsenburg (from before 1,200) near lake Blausee (pretty!), nearest train station: Blausee-Mitholz (only a short walk away)

https://www.google.com/search?q=ruin...=1600&bih=1074

Ruined castles of Switzerland, take your pick!

It might not be right within the area you are considering, but I am partial to Schloss Heidelberg, which is reasonably near.

Heidelberg is not a ruined castle at all if I recall correctly. Fine fine castle though.

Thanks all, will do some research in the next few days as we'll be traveling.

I have used Google searches, but love the personal suggestions (the first 2 pictured on the Google link are in northern Germany and southern France, not even Switzerland as searched for, go figure)

I really am looking for places to stop along the "route", without too much of a detour, so those in eastern Austria are out (she would love the one in Durnstein) Likewise Heidelburg I'm afraid. A short trip from Berchtesgaden or GP area would be OK, but we don't want to drive several hours distance just for one Castle.

The "route" from GP to Grindelwald could vary dependent upon castles along the way. What about Liechtenstein, thats the route Google Maps sends me along

I'm also thinking that maybe the Castle/Abby/Fortress doesn't have to be a "ruin" but if it allows a self guided tour she'll enjoy it, as she and her sister can go at their own pace, rather than having to listen to a tour guide. That opens things up a little. Chillon?

We can fly home from either Zurich or Geneva.

Spiez Castle near Interlaken is a gem! Both for itself and its stunning location.

https://www.google.com/search?q=spie...m=122&ie=UTF-8

Sion's fortress half-ruined castles is another gem - in the Rhone Valley -

https://www.google.com/search?q=sion...m=122&ie=UTF-8

OP sez "The "route" from GP to Grindelwald could vary dependent upon castles along the way... "

No need for major detours:

The last stretch before Grindelwald will take you through or by Interlaken. From there it's only 15 minutes along the lake Thun to Spiez where a fully intact castle (not a ruin) overlooks the lake, as indicated by previous poster - see www.schloss-spiez.ch (currently closed for renovations, reopens after April 17, open Mo 14-17h, Tu-Su 10-17h, July and August til 18h)

About five minutes further is the Strättligburg location I indicated earlier, and I quote:

...above the village of Gwatt, in the community of Strättligen: Strättligburg - see www.burgergemeindestraettligen.ch/page10.php

If you first go to Grindelwald, it would take you 45 minutes to come back down and drive to Gwatt.

From Interlaken it would take you maybe 30 minutes, and from Grindelwald it would take you maybe 50 minutes to drive to those other two I listed, and I quote again:

Burgruine Tellenburg (from around year 1,200) near Frutigen, with a look-out tower, nearest train station: Frutigen (see http://tinyurl.com/lnmmb89)

Burgruine Felsenburg (from before 1,200) near lake Blausee (pretty!), nearest train station: Blausee-Mitholz (only a short walk away - see http://tinyurl.com/mn2loqu )

If you drive to Grindelwald via Meiringen-Haslital-Brienzersee (see www.viamichelin.com or google maps), which is the more scenic route than any other for the approach to the Interlaken region from where you get up to Grindelwald, you will drive by another ruin you might like, Burgruine Resti - see http://www.alpen-guide.de/reisefuehr...esti-meiringen

Liechtenstein certainly has a Burg, but it is the seat of the ruler, the Prince of Liechtenstein, not a ruin: www.burgliechtenstein.eu/en/welcome.php

Durnstein in Wachau Valley is absolutely gorgeous, so is WErfen near Salzburg(although it's not a ruin).

The Castle in Werfen is perfect as we're considering staying in Kuchl instead of Berchtesgaden, and Kuchl is only about 20 min away. Still looking at some of the other suggestion and possible routes, thanks!

" ...Still looking at some of the other suggestion and possible routes, thanks!..."

For which portions of your trip? More in Austria? More in the Bernese Oberland? More where? You have been offered dozens of ruins locations, more if you peruse the many websites that were quoted. Which ones don't suit you and why not? Give us a bit of info here so that we can add some that fit your program.

I don't think wrenwood is dissing any of the suggestions, s(he)s looking them all over while deciding an itinerary.

~Liz

Yes, we are visiting relatives so time is limited now.

I love the ones in Sion, haven't quite figured out how to work them in, but a possibility

Heidelburg and eastern Austria not an option, the furthest east we would be in Austria would be Kuchl if we stay there

I guess the "route" would be from GP or Mittenwald to Grindelwald, still a little unsure what that route would be

Later! And thanks!!!!!!!