Walking the Alpine Europe Panoramas

Day 1

Arrive Munich (D)

You arrive today at the Munich International Airport where a representative of WAI will greet you and arrange transportation to our hotel in the center of the city. After enjoying the sites of medieval Munich on your own from our hotel, you’ll rendezvous with the rest of the group for a memorable Bavarian dinner and folklore show at the Hofbrauhaus, the oldest beer garden in Munich.

Day 2

Munich – Rothenburg (B)
Medieval Rothenburg Walk – 5 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned) -OR- 12 km, rating unavailable

We motor across Bavaria today, en route to the jewel in Germany’s medieval crown—the walled city of Rothenburg. Upon arrival, you’ll have the option of a 12-kilometer IVV walk or a shorter 5-kilometer Rothenburg orientation walk (non-IVV) within the walls of this charming city. The balance of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the delightful cobblestone lanes and window-shopping opportunities of Rothenburg.

Day 3

Rothenburg – Assmannshausen, Germany (BD)

Today’s main event is an enchanting cruise through the Rhine Gorge. The ruins of strategically placed castles high above the river mark past lairs of the infamous robber barons who once looted shipping along this fabled waterway. An after-dinner stroll through the charming vineyard village of Assmannshausen is a memorable way to partake of the Rhineland spirit of Germany.

Day 4

Assmannshausen – Hornberg, Germany (BD)

The Gutenberg Museum in Mainz reveals secrets of the invention that catapulted Europe into the Reformation and foreshadowed the Information Age! Later this morning in Worms, the Martin Luther Monument represents to us the history-shifting impact of the Reformation in Europe and North America. Further south, we’ll enjoy a short stroll on the Philosopher’s Way overlooking old Heidelberg, setting for one of Europe’s most dramatic castle ruins, then continue to our hotel for two nights deep in the heart of the Black Forest.

Day 5

Walk and activities in the Black Forest (BD)
Black Forest Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Our walk route is a lovely nature trail through the Black Forest offering forested panoramas, chalets laden with colorful flower boxes, and the huge house-barns so characteristic of this region. Following the walk, we’ll stop at the Clock Museum to learn about the history of clock-making and the famous cuckoo clock of the Black Forest. Picturesque Triberg offers time to clock shop or hike along the beautiful Triberg Waterfall.

Day 6

Hornberg to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland (BD)
July: Goeschweiler Black Forest Walk
September: Gottmadingen-Randegg Bordertown Walk

Each departure stops in a different German town this morning to sample a real German weekend volkswalk with large crowds of local walkers and the active start/finish points that have provided so many memories for American walkers. Just over the border is Switzerland’s Rhine Falls, described by Germany’s literary giant Goethe as “the source of the ocean.” Our afternoon stop is in lovely lakeside Lucerne before we continue south to the picturesque Alpine valley village of Lauterbrunnen, surrounded by majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps.

Day 7

Activities in the Lauterbrunnen area (B)
Aare Schlucht Gorge Walk – 14/6 km, rated 3+/2

This morning’s unusual event takes us into a neighboring valley to walk through one of the most dramatic river gorges in Europe; parts of the route follow a boardwalk attached to the gorge walls! The evening is free to explore and enjoy the alpine ambiance of lovely Lauterbrunnen Valley from our hotel.

Day 8

Activities in the Lauterbrunnen area (B)
Jungfrau Alpine Walk – 10 km, rated 3+ (non-sanctioned)

An all-day excursion takes us by cogwheel train through eye-popping Swiss scenery up to the 11,330-foot level of Jungfrau Mountain. At the top, visit the Ice Palace, view the mountain peaks from the Sphinx Observation Deck, or simply marvel at the river of ice spreading out below the restaurant picture windows. On the return journey, we’ll exit the train for one of our favorite walks, serenaded by cowbell melodies as we hike through wildflower-bedecked alpine meadows in the shadow of the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger Mountains!

Day 9

Lauterbrunnen – Buchs, Switzerland (BD)
Canton St. Gallen Walk – 10 km, rating unavailable

Continuing east today, we'll admire the dramatic alpine panoramas of Sussten Pass before a stop to enjoy one of Europe's prettiest Baroque-era churches in Einsiedeln. The afternoon activity is a walk in Canton St. Gallen, offering the gentler landscapes of non-Alpine Switzerland. We spend the night in Buchs in preparation for tomorrow’s walk just across the border in Liechtenstein.

Day 10

Buchs – Reutte, Austria (BD)
Vaduz, Liechtenstein Castle & Capital Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Our itinerary offers us the unique option of sightseeing in 4 different countries – Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria – all in one day! Our special walk in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein passes the dramatically positioned castle of Liechtenstein’s royal family and explores other points of interest in the diminutive capital city of Vaduz. From Liechtenstein, we continue to the fairytale castle of Neuschwannstein in nearby Germany, nestled picturesquely in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. A stimulating climb up a paved forest trail leads to King Ludwig II’s architectural escape from reality.

Day 11

Reutte – Oberammergau, Germany (BD)

After several full days of Adventure, we start today slow, then take the short, scenic drive to the woodcarving village of Oberammergau. After lunch and some time to explore Oberammergau, the main event of the day – and the focal point of the Adventure – is the Passion Play. This nearly 400-year-old performance is only conducted every 10 years, and the cast is drawn strictly from the citizens of the town. Based upon our visit in 2000, we expect a spell-binding rendition of a history-changing story!

Day 12

Oberammergau – Salzburg, Austria (BD)
Kufstein, Austria Walk – 5/10 km, rating unavailable

Leaving Oberammergau late this morning, we continue east across the border into Austria to Kufstein, in the Inn Valley, and a delightful walk through the Alpine panoramas of the Austrian Tirol. Our final destination is Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, setting for the famous movie, Sound of Music, and our home for the next three nights.

Day 13

Activities from Salzburg, Austria (B)

Today’s main event is an excursion through the spellbinding scenery of the Salzkammergut region to the ancient lakeside village of Hallstatt. Nestled in the Alps since the time of Celtic salt miners and centuries before the mighty Roman rule reached this region of Europe, tiny Hallstatt captures a completely unique aura of Alpine delight. We’ll arrive back in Salzburg in time to explore more of its charms, and maybe take in one of many evening musical performances.

Day 14

Activities from Salzburg (BD)

This morning you’re invited for an optional visit to the Berchtesgaden area where you’ll have the option of participating in the classic salt mine tour (estimated price: $30), visiting the fabled Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (estimated price: $30), or joining us for a jewel of the Salzburg area we rarely have time to offer. Königssee (King Lake) offers a cruise in electric-powered launches across this pristine Alpine lake. We’ll stop on the far side and explore a bit on foot before catching a return launch later in the morning (estimated price: $30). Salt mine visitors will have additional time to explore charming Berchtesgaden before we rendezvous and return to Salzburg for an afternoon free to enjoy the many attractions of one of Europe’s most appealing cities.

Day 15

Depart for home (B)

We’ll be up with the birds this morning for a final coach ride on the German autobahn to Munich’s International Airport. We say farewell and return to our North American reality with a new appreciation of the Alpine countries, and the story of the Oberammergau Passion Play.