Traveling by train has many advantages: There are no traffic jams, you can relax during the journey and you travel environmentally friendly. If your hiking route also starts directly near the train station, the trip is perfect. We show you three hiking routes in Bavaria that you can reach by train in a relaxed way.
Hiking is most fun in unspoiled nature, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and especially without large crowds around you. However, now that more and more people are getting a taste for this laid-back and relaxing pastime, many hiking routes are hopelessly overcrowded on weekends. And you notice this on the roads leading to the popular excursion regions.
So what to do to avoid traffic jams and hassles and still enjoy a good hiking tour? Maybe you can fall back on a well-tried means of transport: the train. On the one hand you escape the stress on the road and on the other hand you relieve the traffic situation in the vacation regions. And, of course, you are also doing something good for nature. We would like to give you a few ideas with the following suggestions.
#1 The Osterseen lakes near Weilheim
If you come from Munich and the surrounding area, you should definitely take a closer look at the Osterseen. If you take the regional train from Munich’s main train station, you’ll be in Iffeldorf in just over 45 minutes and can start a relaxing hike around the six lakes.
The landscape there was formed during the last ice age and offers a great nature experience with idyllic moor areas, dead ice holes like the Blaue Gumpe at the southern end of the Großer Ostersee and many fantastic views of the turquoise-blue lake landscape. In the background, the Alps provide the perfect backdrop. In total, the circular trail is twelve kilometers long and takes a good two and a half hours.
If you start at the Iffeldorf train station, you first have to pass the volunteer fire department to the west of the station and then walk about 300 meters towards the edge of the forest. Directly behind the trees you will meet the Fischkaltersee, which belongs to the Osterseen and you are already directly on the circular route.
In summer you can also refresh yourself at two bathing places. Everywhere else, swimming in the Osterseen is not allowed, because the whole area is under nature protection. In addition, Gut Aiderbichl is located just a few hundred meters from the shore. With 300 rescued animals, this is an interesting side trip, especially for children. There is also a place to stop for refreshments here. Back at the starting point in Iffeldorf, a few cozy restaurants and beer gardens also await hungry hikers.
Also interesting: Are cows dangerous for hikers?
#2 The Immenstädter Horn
From Augsburg and the surrounding area, it is especially the Allgäu region that is ideal for a hike that can be easily reached by train. There, for example, is the hike to the Immenstädter Horn with a starting point directly at the Immenstadt train station, which has a lot to offer.
From the station, you first walk a little to the west until a pedestrian bridge takes you over the rails and to the other side of the road. Now you have to go straight on to the cemetery. Directly behind the cemetery wall you will find a footpath and already the first signpost to the Immenstädter Horn. From here on you can’t miss the route.
Along the way, there are wooded sections as well as unusual views of Immenstadt and the Great and Small Alpsee lakes. The Kemptener Naturfreundehaus, for example, is a good place to stop for refreshments.
#3 The Ringspitz above Lake Tegernsee
If you set out from Munich in the direction of Tegernsee, the first thing you probably think of is the Neureuth. However, there is a lot going on here, especially on weekends when the weather is nice. A less well-known and therefore less crowded hike, on the other hand, leads to the Ringspitz.
You can get there by train to the train station Gmund (Tegernsee). Then continue a short distance with bus 9557 to the Ringsee stop.
The hike itself takes you to the 1293 meter high summit and is moderately difficult. There is also a super view of Lake Tegernsee. The tour itself, however, leads mostly on forest paths. Thus, it is particularly suitable for hot days, but is also suitable when the weather is not perfect. If there is not too much snow, you can also do the tour in winter.
Shortly before the summit it gets a bit steeper. Surefootedness and a head for heights are therefore required, even if the Ringspitz with its contemplative height seems rather harmless at first glance.
Conclusion: Hiking by train does not have to be inconvenient
Of course, it depends on where you start from and how well your hometown is connected to the train. From most places in Bavaria, however, there are numerous ways to go hiking by train without it being particularly complicated – best to just try it out if you haven’t already acquired a taste for it anyway.
