Is Mittenwald a good base for outdoor activities, etc?
 

We'll be travelling from the Dolomites (3 nights) to Zel am See (over the Grossglockner) - 1 night, and then plan on 3 nights in Mittenwald.

Our interests are beautiful mountain/alps vistas that we can't get at home in the US, hiking - 1/2 day hikes - quaint towns.

Is Mittenwald central to views, vistas, hiking, etc.?

How far is the Zillertal area of Austria? Is it worth visiting?

How about the gorge in Mittenwald?

How far is the Neuschwanstein Castle, and are tours recommended?

How is the restaurant/shopping/pub scene in Mittenwald (we'll have our two "kids" in their 20's with us)

Anyplace that's recommended to stay in Mittenwald?

Are scenic areas in Switzerland close by or worth visiting?

Thanks!

Theresa

Not much night life for your sons. 1.5 hours to palace. Garmisch might be a better base.

I have only visited Mittenwald twice and must agree with Macross. It is famous for its violin museum and production but tiny, quaint and quiet. Not certain three nights there is warranted.

Quaint, quiet, no pub scene. Some restaurants with hearty Bavarian food. Good as base for nearby hikes (beautiful Alpine scenery), but Switzerland is too far.

Stubai valley in Austria is worth visiting (glacier), doable as day trip.

Well, darn. Every time I think we have another good idea :) Trying to decide on going to Hallstatt for a night, which seemed like too much driving (though we really, really wanted to see it)

In the case you should like mountains and glaciers, it would be much better to stay around Grossglockner than at Mittenwald.

Lone voice here!

I love Mittenwald, and included it in my last 3 visits to Europe (photos here, sorry I don't know how to isolate just the Mittenwald sections, but you can see the local walks in these albums)

https://flic.kr/s/aHskDja7Fy

https://flic.kr/s/aHskfL3qzw

https://flic.kr/s/aHskf6uyHF

We stayed at Haus Schweigart, outstanding accommodation at about 60Euro PN. We took apartment 5 (kitchen,lounge/ dining, bedroom, modern bathroom, 3 balconies). Wonderful host, beautiful garden, quiet street.

Our kids (older teen boys) love it and both would return. OK, not for the pub scene, but that's not their interest.

The Leutaschklamm is a beautiful walk, we visited Garmisch for Zugspitze and Alpspitze outings (there is a zipline there too but ours did that in Ortisei), and Partnachklamm.
We visited Neuschwanstein by train/ bus overnighting in Fuessen when travelling from Munich, (bus from Fuessen to Reutte and train to Garmisch and Mittenwald). So many nice walking trails around Mittenwald, nice little towns, Karwendelbahn, lakes, forests, beergardens on the hillsides overlooking the town, it is pristine, and postcard like. We have stayed 2 nights, 4 nights and 5 nights, never ran out of things to do (still didn't get around to hiring bikes and riding along the river).

On your question about Neuschwanstein...we didn't tour, took cablecar up Tegelberg and the trail from there (the Reitweg) and walked around to the rear of the castle (the famous bridge)- came across about 3 people on the 2 hr walk, then the hordes at the bridge and castle, but such a lovely walk. Fuessen itself is a lovely town to visit.

Maybe the fact that I'm Australian and originally from the outback, but this place holds a special place in my heart for sheer beauty, relaxation, charming well kept homes and gardens, wonderful vistas, lush 'greenness', walking trails.
Swandav gave me lots of ideas, maybe she'll chime in :)

I stayed in Mittenwald one long weekend in June and enjoyed it for what it is--tiny town on rail line with access to two mountains and a valley for hiking. I didn't make it to the gorge and I didn't go on any day trips. Highlights were local band concert and solitude on the trails.

Last year I spent several days in Garmisch. Totally different experience that I enjoyed for different reasons. The town is large with lots of traffic (noise), but that also means lots of restaurants and pubs. It has access to hiking on several mountains and around lakes, plus the views from atop the Zugspitze were amazing (my screen saver for the last 9 months). I looked into day trips, but didn't have enough time.

I'm on the board for the first time in months as I need to plan my free days after a conference in the Netherlands. I, like you, try to pack my vacation with mountains. I'm not considering going back to Mittenwald as my main destination, but would go if I had a long weekend from Munich or similar.

Good info, thanks.

Adelaidean, your photos are great. Makes me consider adding Mittenwald to my potential places I want to go to on my upcoming (2018 or 2019?) trip.

Thank you, robincal, I hope you have a lovely trip.

Adelaidean
We have four weeks and then we're off. Those photos of yours have made me very excited !!

Lucky you Helsie, happy travels :)