Stops at Ulrichsbrücke – Pinswang – Königsschlösser (King’s Castles).
In 1838 the construcion of a path from Pinswang to the royal castle of Hohenschwangau began. On the 18th of August 1839 the street from Hohenschwangau above the Alpsee towards Pinswang was opened. King Maximilian of Bayern (the father of Ludwig II) who lived in Hohenschwangau and came to Pinswang to hunt. After Maximilian’s death the so called ‘Fürstenstraße’ (Royal Road) became the private property of his son King Ludwig II. This king had in ‘Gutshof zum Schluxen’ in Pinswang his own private quarters.

Ulrichsbrücke
The Ulrichsbrücke (Ulrichsbridge) in Pinswang on the Fernpaßstraße was built between 1782 en 1784. Today it is used exclusively by hikers and cyclists. After crossing the river Lech by way of the Ulrichsbrücke, you will find the so called Steinwändle.

Steinwändle
This street was built between 1782 and 1784. Today a commemorative plaque reminds us about this technical masterly achievement. After the Ulrichsbrücke you can go in the direction of Pinswang. Immediately after that you will see the parish church from Unterpinswang.

Pfarrkirche
There is no doubt that this church is the nicest baroque church in Außerfern, constructed between 1726 and 1728. The building of the church became necessary because the previous chapel had flourished as a place of pilgrimage. It became just to small for the amount of people who came to worship. The constructor of today’s church was no other than the famous Allgäuer baroque master Josef Georg Fischer, the constructor of the Innsbruck Cathedral. You will be impressed by the monumental paintings of presumably Johann Heel, showing the battle of the Lechfeld of 955.

Gutshof zum Schluxen
King Ludwig II stayed here regularly. This guesthouse is named after the first landlord ‘Schluix’. It was built in the first half of the 1800’s when there was an economical upswing. Although it was rebuilt several times, its beautiful old form was always preserved during the years. Through the forest you will soon approach the Alpsee.

Alpsee
The Alpsee is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes of the Bavarian Alps. The amazing depth of the water is 59 m. and it is completely surrounded by wooded heights. It widens at the northern bank until it reaches Hohenschwangau. This is where the hiking path ends and where you have a clear view of the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.

Schloss Hohenschwangau
Crown Prince Maximilian from Bayern built this castle from 1832 to 1863 out of old ruins. His son, King Ludwig II, grew up here.

Schloss Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein is built in the style of a medieval castle (1869-1886). It was constructed by Ludwig II. But because of his early death the a lot of the rooms were never finished. Because of the many visitors from all over the world, we recommend you to get your tickets in advance. They are available at Ticket-Center Hohenschwangau (tel. +49/(0)8362/930830) or via www.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de

You will find further excursion trips along the Außerfernbahn on www.erlebnisbahn.at/ausserferhbahn


Vils/Tirol – Pfronten/Allgäu

Falkenstein
At the height of the walk: Falkenstein ruins, the highest situated castle ruins of Germany. Kind Ludwig II dreamt of constructing a castle even bigger and more spectacular than Neuschwanstein. A road going up to the ruins and a water pipe were built. However, any other additions were never added due to Ludwig’s death. (See also: Ruine Falkenstein.)

Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt
The decoration of numerous precious furnishing pieces puts a special glow on the church dedicated to the holy virgin. Among the pieces by the altar you will find ‘Ascension of Mary’ (1682) by the Füssener master Alexander Kranzner. There are several other works of art in the church picturing amongst others St. Vincenz and St. Cesar by native artists Paul Zeiler of Reutte, Gotthard Wörle of Vils and Nikolaus Babel of Pfronten. The Chapel of St. Catriona was erected by Rudolf von Hohenegg in 1470. The church has been restored.

Hammer und Waffenschmiede
This type of forge is rare in the whole of Tirol and the regions surrounding it. Three different big and heavy hammers are working by means of a waterwheel. A wider water wheel controls the bellows for two chimneys. A third water wheel drives a large grind stone and other devices. The forge was used for the making of door and gate hinges, shovels, edge tools and handles for church bells. The forge was used until 1960.

St. Anna Kirche
In this church is the first mention of members of the Bavarian royal family from the House of Wittelsbach. They used the church for over a decade. The ‘Annenkirche’ was built in a romantic style. It is presumed that around 1506 the Lords of Hohenegg started to use the church as a castle church. The altar piece of approximately 1730 shows St. Anna.

Burgruine Vilsegg
The castle Vilsegg was the residence to the Lords of Hohenegg. They were a very important Swabiad nobility. For how long the castle was inhabited, is unknown. When Hans von Hohenegg died in Vils in 1544, the castle became dilapidated. It was last repaired in 1631. At that time some nuns still lived there. Today there is an organisation who dedicates itself to the preservation of the ruins of Vilsegg.
From here you can go up-hill to Saloberalp where you will have an impressive view of the Allgäuer Alps.

Vier-Seen-Blick
A ten minute walk from the Saloberalp will give you a breathtaking view of the four lakes: Weißensee, Hopfensee, Forggensee and Bannwaldsee. There are several benches so you can relax and enjoy the view.

Ruine Falkenstein
The highest situated castle ruin in Germany is at a height of 1277 m. and it is one of the most impressive castle constructions in Europe. Not so much because of the buildings but because of its position with its fabulous outlooks. It was built in 1280 to defend the area against Duke Meinhard II of Tirol. King Ludwig II wanted to rebuild the castle in his own fairytale way.

Mariengrotte
The priest Josef Anton Stach placed a 2,80 m. high statue in the grotto in 1889.
From the grotto a steep forest trail leads you to Pfronten-Steinach train station.

Going time of the walk: 5 hours
Level difference: approximately 440 m.
Difficulty: average