German Alpine Road

Germany's oldest scenic road runs about 450 km along the northern edge of the Alps, from Lindau on Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden, passing Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Königssee.

The German Alpine Road was first planned in 1927 and is Germany's oldest scenic road. It runs from Lindau, an island town on Lake Constance, along the northern edge of the Alps through southern Bavaria, to Berchtesgaden and Königssee in the east, covering about 450 km and passing 25 castles and palaces and more than 20 lakes. The western section crosses the Allgäu region via Oberstaufen and Hindelang, climbs to the Oberjoch (about 1,178 m, the highest point on the route) and the Jochpass road, known for its more than 100 bends, then continues to Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castle. The middle section passes the Wieskirche, Oberammergau, Ettal Abbey and Linderhof Palace, reaching Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of the Zugspitze. It then crosses the Kesselberg to Walchensee. The eastern section goes via Tegernsee and Schliersee, through Ruhpolding in the Chiemgau region and the spa town of Bad Reichenhall, ending at Berchtesgaden, where you can visit the Eagle's Nest and cruise Königssee. Allow 4–7 days. The route mostly follows national and local roads, which are in good condition, but lake areas are crowded on weekends. Some side roads, such as the Eagle's Nest road, can only be taken by shuttle bus. In winter you can combine the trip with skiing, and mountain sections require snow tires.

German Alpine Road

Along the route