The German Alps - a Year-Round Destination
From picturesque Berchtesgaden and the dark, calm waters of Lake Königsee in eastern Bavaria to Lindau and the area around Lake Constance in the state of Baden-Württemberg in the west, the German Alps are a year-round tourist destination. Famous for world-class winter sports venues, the Alps are cherished by those in the know year round. In fact, spring, summer and fall offer ideal weather for hiking and sightseeing.
And you don’t have to be a mountain-climber to get to the top of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Located just south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Zugspitze, at 9,718 feet, is served from the German side by a cog railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and a cable car from the town of Eibsee at the foot of the mountain. You don’t have to be an athlete to stand on this summit and enjoy the panoramic views.
Germany’s second-highest peak, the Hochwanner, is in the same Wetterstein range as the Zugspitze. The third-highest peak, the Watzmann, is located in idyllic the Berchtesgaden region.
But the Alps are not only peaks and summits. Easily accessible hiking and biking trails snake across the slopes, many of them leading travelers to quaint mountain cottages for a meal or an overnight stay. And tranquil mountain lakes dot the region, beckoning summer wanderers to a refreshing dip. Enjoy this picture gallery, offering a mere taste of the varied views and activities the German Alps have to offer year round.
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In Bavaria’s Allgäu region, this field of crocuses is a harbinger of warmer spring days ahead. (© picture alliance / Arco Images G) -
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These hikers are enjoying their spring day out on Jenner mountain, from where they have an awesome view of the surrounding peaks around Berchtesgaden, including the Watzmann. (© picture alliance / Franz Pritz /) -
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In Berchtesgaden, spring means visitors are ready to take excursions on Lake Königsee in the heart of Berchtesgaden National Park. (© picture alliance / dpa) -
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On Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the first days of spring still offer gorgeous weather for skiing. (© picture alliance / dpa) -
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These young hikers are enjoying a summer outing on the Nebelhorn in Bavaria’s Allgäu region. (© picture alliance) -
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The goal for these summer day trippers on Lake Königsee is the distinctive red-capped St Bartholomew's Church (St. Bartholomä), a pilgrimage church. The church dates to 1134, though its triple-concha design is more "recent" (1697). It is only accessible via ferry. (© picture alliance / F. Pritz / pi) -
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For this summer traveler, it’s time for a shady break on the banks of Lake Eibsee, southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen from where she has a view of the Zugspitze range. (© picture alliance / Arco Images) -
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Hiking in the Alps works up quite an appetite. Fortunately, the mountains are dotted with cottages and locales that welcome pedestrians for a meal or an overnight stay. This spread of bread, bacon and homemade cheese and buttermilk should stanch any hunger. (© picture-alliance / Paul Mayall) -
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In Hittenkirche on Lake Chiemsee, young people in traditional local costumes run across a field on a summer day. [Close this window and click on "10-18" to continue the slide show] (© picture alliance / Paul Mayall)
