Our hike begins in the picturesque village of Hohenschwangau, where the castle of the same name towers majestically above the turquoise-blue Alpsee. It’s worth pausing here for a moment to take in the impressive scenery: gentle hills, dense forests, and the Bavarian Alps rising in the background.
From Hohenschwangau, we follow a well-marked hiking trail that leads us through shady beech and spruce forests. Sunlight filters beautifully through the canopy, and from time to time, small clearings offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. As we gradually gain elevation, the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle soon appears before us – a view straight out of a fairytale.
At this point, it’s a good idea to take a short break and admire the enchanting architecture of the castle up close. Commissioned by King Ludwig II in the late 19th century, it was designed as a romanticized vision of a medieval knight’s castle. Today, it is one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks.
For an even more spectacular view of the castle, we continue to the Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge). This narrow, roughly 90-meter-long bridge spans the deep Pöllat Gorge at dizzying heights. From here, one can enjoy the iconic panorama of Neuschwanstein – a popular photo spot and one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the region. Directly below, the Pöllat Waterfall plunges about 30 meters down a rock face – an especially dramatic sight after heavy rainfall.
After this short rest, we continue our hike, leaving the tourist bustle behind. The trail becomes more demanding: over narrow switchbacks, we climb steadily into the Allgäu Alps. As we gain altitude, the landscape changes – the dense forest thins out, and we pass open alpine meadows where cows occasionally graze.
The higher we go, the rockier the terrain becomes. The trail to the Branderschrofen summit is steep in its upper sections and secured with wire cables in places. Good fitness and surefootedness are essential here. But the effort is rewarded: at 1,880 meters, we reach the summit and are greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view.
From the narrow peak, we enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire region. The vista stretches across the gentle hills of the Allgäu, the shimmering Forggensee, the rugged peaks of the Ammergau Alps, and on clear days, all the way to the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. This is the perfect place for a well-deserved break to soak in the tranquility of the mountains.
For the descent, we choose a circular route that first takes us along a narrow trail hugging the cliffs. The descent is more pleasant than the ascent, as the path winds through blooming alpine meadows, past clear mountain streams, and through light-filled mountain forests. Again and again, we catch new glimpses of the valley and Neuschwanstein Castle, which looks even more magical from afar.
Eventually, we return to Hohenschwangau. For those wanting to extend the hike, there’s a scenic trail along the Alpsee and its lakeside promenade that leads all the way to the harbor entrance of Füssen. Alternatively, a more direct path leads back to the parking area in Hohenschwangau.
