The King Ludwig Way is one of our most popular walks in Germany, and I got the chance to discover why! The trail takes you through the heartland of Bavaria. You start just outside Munich and walk right up to the border of Austria and the Austrian Alps (great views guaranteed).

The Bavarian region is where most of Germany’s stereotypes come from. Think Lederhosen, Dirndl, and beer... lots and lots of beer. All of these things are found in abundance in the area, so if you are a fan of any of them, I would suggest getting there asap. The reasons why this walk really stood out to me compared to other adventures I have been on are:

1. Castles

Ever wanted to explore a Disney castle and get swept away to a different place in time? Then this is a must-see! Neuschwanstein is the inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty and really is a sight to behold, a castle high up on a hill overlooking the entire region. It is a popular tourist destination, and I may have been quite smug about walking 120 km to get there, versus the busloads of people who were there admiring it with me.

2. Churches

Baroque everything! Each walking day had a church you could admire. Most of the churches looked quite ordinary from the outside, but the moment you walk in, you are swallowed up by the grandeur of it all. The churches are painted in the Baroque style, which I found to be much lighter and more vibrant compared to other churches I have visited in the past.

3. Beer and Food

Beer, meat and starch. This is what Bavaria thrives on: Wiener Schnitzel, Wurst, potatoes in all styles (Rösti, potato salad, Knödel — whatever potato dreams you can think of) and, of course, beer.

Before moving on to the topic of beer, I would like to say what really impressed me was how local and seasonal the food is. Everything on my plate was local, which really added to the experience.

On to beer. I have to admit, not being a beer connoisseur myself, I was slightly overwhelmed with the choice. Who knows the difference between Helles, Leicht, Weizen, Dunkles, Weizen Dunkles Bier? All the beers were brewed locally, and therefore in each village you can sample different ones.

I may have stuck to my Radler (beer mixed with mineral water or lemonade), but my walking partner tried all the beers and decided that Augustiner was the best one. Most of the locals agreed with him. If that doesn’t make it true, I’m not sure what else would!

4. Views

I have to be honest, I did not expect to be blown away by the views on this trip (despite the region being considered one of the most scenic in Central Europe). I was so very wrong about my preconceived notions. The views were fantastic, and they completely blew me away.

I was eased into it. Starting in Starnberg, you feel quite far away from the Bavarian Alps (and the famous Zugspitze). As you wind your way through pastures and woodlands, day by day you keep creeping closer. Until boom, on your final day, they are there, right in your face. And I loved it!

5. Tradition

Bavaria is all the German stereotypes in one region. Hello Lederhosen, Dirndl and beer! I always believed that it was a little over-exaggerated, but again, I was wrong. I have never seen so many Dirndls and Lederhosen in one place. They are all worn with pride, and you can feel how the region is steeped in tradition. Bavarians see themselves as Bavarian first and Germans second. When speaking with the locals, they are proud of their traditions and roots.

The King Ludwig Way took me completely by surprise, and I owe the region a sincere apology. I knew it was going to be nice, but I didn’t realise how nice! I will travel there again in the future. I hope this has inspired you to consider Bavaria as your next travel destination.

Prost!