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 heart 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’re a fan of any of them, I’d suggest getting there asap. The reasons why this walk really stood out to me compared to other adventures I’ve 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 perched high on a hill overlooking the entire region. It’s a popular tourist destination, and I may have been a bit smug about walking 75 miles to get there, compared to the busloads of people who were there admiring it with me.

2. Churches

Baroque everything! Each walking day included a church to admire. Most of the churches looked fairly ordinary from the outside, but the moment you walk in, you’re swallowed up by the grandeur. The interiors are painted in the Baroque style, which I found to be much lighter and more vibrant than other churches I’ve visited in the past.

3. Beer and Food

Beer, meat, and starch. That’s what Bavaria thrives on: Wiener Schnitzel, Wurst, potatoes in every form (Rösti, potato salad, Knödel — whatever potato dreams you can imagine), and of course, beer.

Before moving on to the beer, I just want to say that what really impressed me was how local and seasonal the food is. Everything on my plate was from the region, which made the experience even more special.

Now, about the beer. I have to admit, I’m not much of a beer connoisseur, so I was a little overwhelmed by the variety. Who really knows the difference between Helles, Leicht, Weizen, Dunkles, Weizen Dunkles Bier? All the beers were brewed locally, so in every village you could try something new.

I mostly stuck with Radler (beer mixed with mineral water or lemonade), but my walking partner tried them all and decided Augustiner was the best. Most of the locals agreed with him. If that doesn’t make it official, I don’t know what does!

4. Views

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to be blown away by the views on this trip (even though the region is considered one of the most scenic in Central Europe). I was so wrong. The views were incredible and completely exceeded my expectations.

It was a slow build-up. Starting in Starnberg, you feel quite far from the Bavarian Alps (and the famous Zugspitze). As you wind your way through pastures and forests, day by day you get closer. Then, on the final day, boom — they’re right in front of you. And I loved it!

5. Tradition

Bavaria is where all the German stereotypes come together. Hello Lederhosen, Dirndl, and beer! I used to think it was a bit exaggerated, but I was wrong again. I’ve never seen so many Dirndls and Lederhosen in one place. They’re worn proudly, and you can feel how deeply rooted the traditions are. Bavarians see themselves as Bavarian first and German second. When you speak with the locals, their pride in their heritage really shines through.

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

Prost!