German Alpine Road: From Lake Constance to the Watzmann Mountain
Germany's oldest tourist route was founded in 1927. In the early days of cars, it promised thrills and adventure over mountain roads and alpine passes. Today, it still connects fascinating landscapes and structures.
A tourist route with history
Initially, the focus of the people who organized German tourist routes was on making sightseeing accessible by car. During the reconstruction after World War II, automobiles also became affordable. The German Alpine Road enjoyed growing popularity from the 1950s onward.
Lindau on Lake Constance
Of course, you can drive along the approximately 450 kilometers (279 miles) of Alpine road in both directions. We start our journey in Lindau on Lake Constance, Germany's largest inland lake. In addition to being an old town worth seeing, you can already see the destination of the route, the Alps, in the distance from here.
Illertal in the Allgäu region
The main attractions on the German Alpine Road are, of course, the Alpine panoramas. In the Allgäu, for example, the tourist route leads through the Illertal valley. Not far from the winter sports resort of Obersdorf, for example, the mountains of the Hörnergruppe rise up.
Schrecksee Lake
Today, traveling exclusively by car is no longer considered appropriate, so a hike in the mountains is naturally a good idea. How about the path through the Hintersteiner Valley to the Schrecksee Lake in the Allgäu Alps? At an altitude of 1813 meters, it is sure to be refreshing.
Neuschwanstein Castle
The German Alpine Road of course includes a world-famous highlight. Neuschwanstein Castle is not directly accessible by car: You can get to the castle either on foot or by horse carriage.
The pilgrimage Wieskirche church near Steingaden
Small but significant is the pilgrimage church in the Bavarian Pfaffenwinkel. Nestled lonely in a meadow and magnificently decorated in rococo style, the Wieskirche, built in the mid-18th century, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Tegernsee Lake
Many places in Bavaria are defined by their churches, including the so-called painter's corner of Tegernsee. The church of St. Laurentius is a prominent landmark in the historic village of Rottach-Egern. And of course there is also a brewery on the lake, where many celebrities have their homes.
Watzmann Mountain near Berchtesgaden
The unsurpassed highlight on the German Alpine Road, at least in terms of height, is the Watzmann. At 2,713 meters, it is the third highest mountain in Germany, and, considering its distinctive summit shape, one of the grandest.
Königssee Lake
Our journey along some of the highlights on the German Alpine Road ends as it began, at the water. The Königssee lake at the foot of the Watzmann Mountain is one of the cleanest lakes in Germany, and its water is always refreshing, even in summer. Here, too, the nearest church is not far, with an electric boat you can cross to the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä.