Lake Königssee to Lake Chiemsee 8-Day Hike
Your luggage will be delivered, so just keep going: a journey spanning Bavaria and Austria
Price Per Person
Starting at TWD 55,000
Category
If there's one type of European hiking trip that asks the least of you, it's the kind where your luggage gets sent ahead, your hotels are already booked, and an app handles the navigation. This 8-day, 7-night route from Lake Königssee to Lake Chiemsee is exactly that kind of trip.
Transport
- Transfer on Day 2 to the trailhead
- Uphill cable car from Loferer Alm (Day 4)
- Uphill cable car, Hochplattenbahn (Day 7)
- Downhill cable car, Kampenwand (Day 7)
- App (GPS data, offline maps, digital route book)
- English-speaking local emergency support hotline
Stay
- 7 nights in 3-star country hotels (Königssee, Saalach Valley, Lofer, Reit im Winkl x2, Achental Valley, Chiemsee)
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 dinners
- Daily luggage transfer, hotel to hotel
Other
- Travel consultation
- Personal accident insurance NT$3.5M · Medical NT$1.5M · Emergency rescue NT$1M · Liability insurance NT$5M + NT$200K medical · Travel inconvenience insurance
- Internet plan
Trip Rules
- Price per person, double occupancy (based on 2026 departure dates): TWD 55,000 for departures 5/21–6/7 and 9/7–27; TWD 59,000 for 6/8–28 and 8/24–9/6; TWD 62,000 for 6/29–8/23.
- Single room supplement: TWD 9,000.
- Difficulty: mountain hiking, 4–6 hours per day, 9–19 km per day, up to 740 m of ascent on the toughest day. Requires reasonable fitness, sure-footedness, and comfort with heights on some sections.
- Self-guided navigation via the Eurohike On Tour app, including GPS data, offline maps, and a digital route book.
- Luggage is transferred to your next hotel each day — you only need to carry a small daypack.
- Easier alternative paths are available on the more demanding sections.
- A printed route book costs an extra €20 per room; the digital version is included at no charge.
- Not included: flights, tourist tax, and some local transport (e.g. the bus from Winklmoos Alm to Reit im Winkl, about €10; the train from Aschau to Prien, about €4).
Trip Map
Detailed Itinerary
Trip Summary
This 8-day hiking tour from Lake Königssee to Lake Chiemsee is a dream journey connecting the most classic highlights along the German-Austrian border, allowing you to experience the fjord-like Königssee, breathtaking Salzburg alpine pastures, and dramatic white water gorges.
While the scenery is majestic, it does not require professional mountaineering skills; the tour includes three cable car rides to bypass steep ascents, offers easier alternatives for high-altitude sections, and provides a reliable luggage transfer service so you can hike light.
Conveniently located near Munich and Salzburg, this route is perfect for those seeking a high-quality, accessible introduction to the very best of the Alps.
Day 1 - Arrival at Lake Königssee (Schönau am Königssee)
Arrival day, free time
Arrive in Schönau on the shore of Lake Königssee. No rush today — stroll through the village, or take a boat out onto the lake, a fjord-like body of water enclosed by towering cliffs, and stop at the famous St. Bartholomä pilgrimage church on the shore.
Hotel: Pension Brandtnerhof, a family-run guesthouse now in its third generation with over 50 years of history. Lake Königssee is a 5-minute walk away, and the sun terrace is a great spot to watch paragliders land.
Lake Königssee
A mountain lake embedded in impressive rock formations, resembling a Scandinavian fjord. It is an absolute classic of Bavaria's enchanting lakes, located within the Berchtesgaden National Park.
Day 2 - Lake Königssee to Saalach Valley 19km
About 19 km | 500 m ascent
A transfer takes you to the trailhead and into Berchtesgaden National Park proper. The Reiter Alpe peaks rise on your right, the dramatic Hochkalter massif on your left, and the route passes the postcard-perfect Lake Hintersee along the way. After crossing into Austria at Hirschbichl, you'll walk through the fast-flowing Seisenbergklamm gorge before reaching tonight's stop in the Saalach Valley.
Hotel: Landgasthof Seisenbergklamm, a family-run country inn known for traditional Pinzgau cuisine. Check-in includes a Saalachtal card with discounts at several local attractions.
Day 3 - Saalach Valley to Lofer 14km
About 14 km | 320 m ascent
Continue along the Saalach Valley and stop at Lamprechts Cave, Europe's longest show cave. From there, head to St. Martin to visit the Maria Kirchtal pilgrimage church, tucked away in a quiet side valley. A scenic trail beside the Loferer Steinberge cliffs leads into the mountain-ringed town of Lofer.
Hotel: Hotel-Cafe Konditorei Dankl, a traditional family hotel in the town center with its own pastry shop — the handmade Austrian cakes are a hidden highlight.
Lofer
Lofer is the central town of the valley, framed by the majestic Loferer Steinberge mountain range. For hikers, the main attraction is the Almenwelt Lofer, an alpine plateau reached by cable car that offers gentle trails and stunning panoramic views suitable for all levels. The town itself boasts a cozy center and is the gateway to the beautiful Maria Kirchental pilgrimage church.
Saalach Valley / Salzburger Saalachtal
The Saalach Valley, located in the SalzburgerLand near the borders of Tyrol and Bavaria, is a natural paradise defined by towering peaks and rushing wild waters. Known for its "Natural Wonders," it features the dramatic Seisenbergklamm gorge and Lamprechts Cave, the longest passage cave in Europe. The region comprises four unique villages—Lofer, St. Martin, Unken, and Weißbach—offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxing family atmosphere.
Day 4 - Lofer to Reit im Winkl 16km
About 16 km | 740 m ascent (the highest point of the trip)
A cable car takes you straight up to the Loferer Alm plateau for the highest-altitude stretch of the whole trip. Cross alpine pastures and forest to reach Loferer Steinplatte, then continue to Winklmoos Alm — a good spot to try traditional Bavarian Brotzeit. A bus then takes you to the well-known resort town of Reit im Winkl.
Hotel: Gästehaus beim Nuihausa, a warm, Alpine-style guesthouse with its own natural swimming pond and a sauna/spa area. You'll stay here for two nights.
Day 5 - Rest day or loop hike in Reit im Winkl
About 9 km | 250 m ascent (optional)
A free day in Reit im Winkl. If you still have the energy, walk the loop through the Klausenbachklamm gorge, or visit the town's schnapps museum and take in the quiet pace of this Bavarian town. Or simply stay at the hotel and make full use of the natural pool and sauna.
Hotel: Gästehaus beim Nuihausa (second night).
Reit im Winkl
Reit im Winkl is a renowned health resort and a certified "premium hiking region". Located in the Chiemgauer Alps, it offers original nature experiences, breathtaking mountain views, and diverse outdoor adventures across three different altitudes.
A Little Stroll
A Little Stroll This is a cozy loop walk designed to help you take a deep breath and switch off. The path is located within the town and features nice places to stop for refreshments. Website
- Distance: 2.8 km
- Altitude Difference: 47 Hm
- Duration: Approx. 50 minutes
Along the Wappbach River to Röthelmoo
Along the Wappbach River to Röthelmoos This is an easy family hike . It takes you along the idyllic Wappbach river and leads into the high moor, with several refreshment stops available along the route.
- Distance: 4.8 km
- Altitude Difference: 152 Hm
- Duration: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes .
Birnbach - Oberbichl Loop
Birnbach - Oberbichl Loop This is a leisurely hike that offers magnificent views of the Kaiser Mountains and the surrounding alpine scenery.
- Distance: 3.8 km
- Altitude Difference: 119 Hm
- Duration: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
Day 6 - Reit im Winkl to Achental Valley 16km
About 16 km | 700 m ascent
Today's target is Lake Taubensee at 1,138 meters, so scenic it's known as "Chiemsee's Eye." The route winds through several alpine pastures before descending into the Achental Valley.
Hotel: Landhotel Weßner Hof, a 3-star country hotel built around sustainability — its meat comes from its own butchery, and it produces its own small-batch gin.
Day 7 - Achental Valley to Lake Chiemsee 12km
About 12 km | 730 m ascent
Climb through forest to the Hochplatte pastures, then on to Kampenwand, topped with a 12-meter iron cross and the best viewpoint over Lake Chiemsee on the whole route. From there, a cable car takes you down to Aschau, where a short train ride brings you to Lake Chiemsee, the trip's final destination.
Hotel: Hotel Bayerischer Hof, with a history dating back to 1652. Its Finnish sauna has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Alps.
Kampenwand
A peak famous for its 12-meter-high iron cross at the top and its magnificent panoramic views overlooking Lake Chiemsee
Hochplatte
Hochplatte is located in the Chiemgau region, near the towns of Marquartstein and Aschau. It serves as a majestic backdrop to the idyllic town of Marquartstein.
Day 8 - Lake Chiemsee, end of trip
Free departure after breakfast, or extend your stay
The trip officially ends. Head home, or stay a few extra days at Lake Chiemsee to extend the holiday.
Lake Chiemsee
Often referred to as the "Bavarian Sea," it is the largest lake in the pre-Alpine region and serves as the crowning finale of the hiking tour.
Accommodation Guide
Austria
Landgasthof Seisenbergklamm
A family-run alpine inn where you can be pampered with the finest Pinzgau specialties. Located in a picturesque nature park, it offers wonderful views of the surrounding Alps and provides free Wi-Fi and parking. Guests receive the Salzburger Saalachtal Card for free access to local attractions.
Lofer Cafe Konditorei Dankl
A traditional 3-star family-run hotel in the centre of Lofer offering a cosy and friendly atmosphere. It is famous for its on-site cake shop serving mouth-watering Austrian sweets and international cuisine. The hotel is very close to the cable car leading to the Loferer Alm resort.
Germany
Pension Brandtnerhof
A family business in its 3rd generation with over 50 years of history. It offers an informal, familiar atmosphere with comfortable rooms and a sunny garden terrace where you can watch paragliders. The location is excellent, only a 5-minute walk to Lake Königssee and 2 minutes to the Jennerbahn cable car
Gästehaus beim Nuihausa
Located in the town center, this guesthouse features Alpine-style cosiness and a personal atmosphere. It boasts a natural swimming pond with a sunbathing area for summer and a sauna area for year-round relaxation. Guests can enjoy an extensive breakfast on the terrace or indulge in spa treatments .
Landhotel Weßner Hof
A 3-star country house hotel run by the Moritz family for three generations, set in a peaceful haven surrounded by meadows. It follows a farm-to-table philosophy with its own butchery and distillery producing homemade schnapps and gin. The hotel is highly sustainable, using photovoltaic systems and its own biogas plant.
Hotel Bayerischer Hof
Boasting a tradition since 1652, this hotel represents Chiemgau hospitality at its best in the heart of Prien. It features a Finnish sauna with panoramic views of the Chiemgau Alps. The restaurant "zum Sterzer" serves typical pre-Alpine dishes prepared from traditional recipes.
FAQs
Do I have to carry my own luggage?
What transport is included in the trip?
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Pre-Departure Tips
Difficulty & Physical Fitness
This tour is classified as "Mountain Hiking," designed for experienced hikers. It requires good physical conditioning, sure-footedness, and a head for heights on certain sections.
Daily Walking Load
Daily walks last between 4 to 6.5 hours, covering distances of 12 to 19 kilometers with ascents up to 740 meters
Luggage Transfer
Reliable luggage transfer is included, allowing you to hike with only a small daypack.
Navigation & Documents
It is recommended to use the official app for navigation.
Additional Costs
Tourist tax and certain public transport fares are not included (e.g., bus from Winklmoos Alm to Reit im Winkl: ~€10; train from Aschau to Prien: ~€4).
