Find the Best Hikes Near Munich

Munich is a delightful Bavarian city, situated in a stunning part of Southern Germany. When you’ve spent time exploring its urban charms, consider heading out for a day trip to breathe in the fresh air of the Bavarian Alps. Local guide Stefanie is a certified mountain guide and hiking enthusiast who can handpick the perfect trails for you to experience a day of mountain air, stunning vistas and exercise in the Alps. She joins us today to chat about some of her favourite hikes outside of Munich.

Hike like the locals!

Rolling hills, rocky ranges, lush meadows, turquoise lakes. These are the picture-perfect Bavarian Alps – within easy reach from Munich. Locals love to come here on the weekends to hike, explore, and recharge. Want to live like a Münchner? Join us!

So, if you can add a little extra time to your Munich schedule, you should definitely look beyond the city limits to the mountains. Taking a day trip to the Bavarian Alps will feel like the perfect mini-vacation from your “real” vacation. And as you will be back in the city in the evening, you can rest your head on the same pillow for another night. After all, we all know that not having to move hotel and lug baggage around all the time takes the stress out of travelling, right?

There are plenty of options and destinations. So, let’s take a brief look at a few places that you can reach within 1 to 1.5 hours from Munich Central Station without having to change trains. These hikes are all perfectly suitable if you are not a full-blown mountain expert - fit novices welcome!

Three Day-Hiking Options from Munich

You can take the “Werdenfelsbahn” either toward Garmisch-Partenkirchen or to Kochel am See. If you want to get on a rather easy trail, get off at Farchant on the Garmisch line, hike to Reschbergwiesen (beautiful alpine meadows) and then on to Pflegersee (don’t miss out on a yummy lunch here). Continue your trail on Kramerplateauweg with great mountain views and on to Frühlingstraße in Garmisch with its listed farm houses that are ornamented with what feels like a gazillion flowers. From here, a 15-minute walk takes you back through the historic centre of Garmisch to the station.Take the Kochel branch of “Werdenfelsbahn” for a great day at Lake Kochelsee, nestled at the feet of Jochberg, Herzogstand and Heimgarten – three mountains that are much beloved by Munich’s locals. From June until September, hop onto a cute boat for a tour around the lake with various stops. Kick back aboard with a cold beer and enjoy the ride! And don’t forget your swimsuit.For a real classic, hop on the “Bayerische Regionalbahn” to Lake Tegernsee. Get off at Gmund and hike the Höhenweg above the lake toward the village of Tegernsee. Meet the shores of the lake and carry on to Tegernseer Brauhaus – a brewery located in Tegernsee Monastery right on the lake. Well worth a visit for its amazing architecture and of course the famous Tegernseer beer. From the village of Tegernsee, take the train back to Munich.Make sure to wear the right walking shoes (broken in with profile and grip) and bring a few layers of clothes. As you likely know, the weather can change quickly in and near the mountains. Don’t forget your sunscreen and hat and bring plenty of water to stay well hydrated. And check the local forecast. Thunderstorms are a dangerous affair in the mountains, so be prepared!

The best time of year for your mountain outing is around mid-April to October. Of course, you can also go in the winter, but only with proper knowledge and preparation. You will need excellent shoes and/or micro-spikes and poles to be safe, and only hike in places that are well away from avalanche terrain.

And please do your research before you go. The mountains can be tricky if you have no experience (even if you do, really). So please stick to easy and accessible trails if in doubt!Another great option is to hire a local guide to make your foray into the Bavarian Alps as safe and enjoyable as possible. Whether you are a novice hiker, or seasoned mountaineer, you can reach out to local guide Stefanie to plan a fantastic day hike near Munich.