Germany's Bavaria Luxury Walk in the Elmau Valley 5D4N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 9 a.m. at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station), located at Südtirolerplatz 5 in Innsbruck, Austria. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodation).

Welcome to Tyrol! Following our meeting in the region's unofficial capital of Innsbruck, a shuttle takes us north towards the border with Bavaria (and Germany). Our destination is the Zugspitze, Germany's border-straddling highest peak—but we approach from the Austrian side, taking a panoramic gondola ride high onto the mountain's slopes. Admire the vistas from the towering gondola station while your tour leaders briefly enlighten you on hiking techniques, safety, and trail etiquette. Then, another gondola sweeps us down into Germany. If hanging on a gondola cable 2740 metres (9,000) feet above sea level isn't the most outlandish way you've ever crossed an international border, we're willing to bet it's in the top five!

Get off on German terra firma, where we begin our first hike, navigating the shore of dramatic turquoise Eibsee (see means "lake" in German). A hearty lunch of Alpine fare awaits at a mountain hut along the trail. Afterward, you can choose between returning the way you came or completing the loop around the lake.

Once you've completed the hike, board another shuttle bound for Schloss Elmau and your home base for the next five days on this unique no-unpacking trip. Experience effortless relaxation at this sophisticated retreat nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Originally built in 1916 as a whimsical castle-like manor, this unique property features a library, bookstore, concert hall, and hammam. It proudly holds the distinction of being the only venue to host the G7 Summit twice. As a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, it promises an unforgettable stay. Unwind at the pool or relax at the spa (spa treatments are at own expense).

We gather in the evening for a welcome reception where we toast to the next few days, drinking in the beauty of this incredible place. Then, sit down to a group dinner in the castle dining room.

FOUR HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 335 m (1,100 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 18 km (11 miles), Elevation gain: 518 m (1,700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 18 km (11 miles), Elevation gain: 701 m (2,300 ft)

Savour a wholesome breakfast this morning to prepare for a big day on the trail. A shuttle pops us back into Austria to our trailhead before we set off on a hike through the Isar Valley in the footsteps of pilgrims and mountain goats. Cross the Austrian-German border by foot and then choose your route to the town of Mittenwald: ascend to a hanging bridge with breathtaking views or take a scenic walk through the valley, where a waterfall thrusts through Leutasch Gorge.

Mittenwald is considered by many to be the prettiest town in Bavaria. It is teeming with historic charm, from its pedestrian-only town centre (the Obermarkt) to its well-preserved 18th-century buildings and frescos. Upon arrival, sit down to lunch on your own at one of the town's superb restaurants.

This afternoon, spend more time in Mittenwald, shopping at the Obermarkt. Visiting the violin-making museum, tasting local schnapps and beer, or simply wandering the lovely streets before shuttling to Schloss Elmau. Or, if you're looking for more kilometres, tackle an extra afternoon route past a waterfall and two alpine lakes, then take a forested path all the way back to Schloss Elmau.

Back at our castle home, traverse the sweeping grounds and indulge in the five-star amenities. Relax and unwind before we convene in the evening to shuttle to nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen, whose long history as a resort town includes playing host to the 1936 Winter Olympics. Here, we savour dinner at a cosy restaurant in town.

ONE E-BIKING OPTION:
Level 1, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 457 m (1,500 ft)

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 518 m (1,700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 823 m (2,700 ft)

Embrace a multi-adventure trip as we take to electric mountain bikes. Join your tour leaders for a brief talk on biking techniques and safety before you set out on pedals and two wheels to our trailhead for the day. When the route turns pedestrian-only, alight and begin the hike up to the Schachenhaus, which is not just any mountain hut—it was built in 1869 as the personal vacation cabin of Bavaria's King Ludwig II himself! We sit at the historic Schachenhaus for a mid-hike lunch—it is a wonderful spot renowned for its stunning architecture and its spectacular location beneath the cliffs of the Schachen mountain. After lunch, choose to conquer the trail back to your waiting e-bike or embark on an additional climb to soak in the gorgeous views from Frauenalpe Peak.

In addition, a complete alternative day is laid out for you if e-bikes aren't your cup of tea or if you prefer a rest day with a mellower trail and extra time at the hotel. If you choose this option, head out directly from the hotel and trek through woods and meadows to Elmauer Alm, another nearby mountain hut where lunch is served. (Note that it is possible, but far, to hike our longer Schachenhaus and Frauenalpl options without the e-bike boost. Ask your tour leaders for details if you think this is for you.)

Whether you choose the shorter option or not, today is the perfect day for a spa treatment (at own expense). Or stroll through Schloss Elmau's elaborate spa with its hammam, steam room, saunas, and five pools. You set the schedule for the evening, as dinner is at your leisure at the hotel whenever you're ready.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 579 m (1,900 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 671 m (2,200 ft)

Today, our first stop is the Olympic stadium, which was the 1936 Winter Olympics ski jumping event site. Though not particularly grand by today's standards, the venue was part of Hitler's attempts to exhibit the Third Reich's power and might on the global stage.

Traverse the site and make your way to Partnach Gorge, where a series of walkways and tunnels lead through deep and narrow crevasse. As you exit the other side, keep hiking into a breathtaking landscape of alpine meadows and craggy peaks. If the weather cooperates, you may even see the Zugspitze, its silhouette imposing from a distance and completely different from seeing it close up on the first day of our trip.

Following a simple lunch on the trail, head back to the hotel or take a longer route through forest and meadow, perhaps pausing for a quick snack or lingering over a refreshing Radler (a refreshing concoction of beer and lemonade) at Elmauer Alm.

Trek back to the hotel or journey there through quick shuttles and gondola rides and savour what's left of the afternoon unwinding. Tonight, we convene for an exclusive farewell meal at Schloss Elmau—the perfect way to end our Bavarian and Tyrolean adventure.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

Enjoy a delectable break before we bid our abode farewell and begin our journey toward Munich. We split up the trip with a stop at the popular Schloss Neuschwanstein, which is said to embody the romantic notion of what a castle should be, with its fairy-tale façade and awe-inspiring mountain backdrop. King Ludwig II of Bavaria grew up in Hohenschwangau, the castle built by his father, Maximilian II, and eventually commissioned the 19th-century Romanesque Revival-style castle to be constructed nearby. If eccentric architecture somehow seems familiar, it may be because Walt Disney took inspiration for his iconic castle from this magnificent edifice.

A panoramic hike takes us through the surrounding wooded hills to the storybook castle's beautiful grounds. From here, we go into the serene forest alongside an alpine lake where King Ludwig learned to swim.

We savour lunch on a terrace overlooking the lake—the perfect spot for one last photo. After eating, say goodbye to your leaders before boarding the shuttle for the final leg to Munich's train station.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.