Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: How to Hike or Bike from Füssen

Hike or bike from charming Füssen to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, then escape the crowds and head to Schwansee to check out a local swimming hole.

Looking for more outdoor adventures in Europe?
Those heading to Salzburg will also enjoy walking to Hohensalzburg Fortress or catching the views from Kapuzinerberg.

LENGTH/DIFFICULTY

This loop can easily be broken into separate hikes or bike rides. It’s also possible to take bus #73 or #78 from Füssen to Hohenschwangau, where both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles are located. But why bus when you can bike or hike? The bike trail to the castles is flat and easy, and bike rental options are plentiful in Füssen. Another bike trail, as well as numerous hiking trails, leads to Schwansee, a small lake hidden away in the valley behind Hohenschwangau Castle.

A brief introduction with the most important details for each individual section of this route is listed below. To view photos and read a full description of my experience hiking each segment, click on the title. I tend to hike fairly fast when on my own. Because of this, I decided to include both my personal hiking time and the time I recommend average hikers allow for each hike. Everyone’s personal hiking or biking speed will vary, so please us this as a general guideline.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Tickets for touring both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles during the summer eason (April through mid-October) must be booked in advance. Tickets can be reserved online approximately three months ahead of time. Neuschwanstein Castle reservations fill quickly, especially in summer. If you don’t have a reservation, go to the ticket booth in person when it opens at 8am to see if any last-minute time slots are available.
• I recommend biking from Füssen to Hohenschwangau. You can then park your bike in order to hike to the castles, Alpsee, and Schwansee. Much of the area around the castles is closed to bikes.
• If you are not biking, I recommend taking bus #73 or #78 from Füssen to Hohenschwangau, then beginning your walks from there. If you are staying in Füssen, ask your hotel for a guest card which gives you free transportation on local buses.
• There are several bike rental locations in Füssen. Two that I recommend are Bike Rental Füssen, located at the train station, and Ski Sport Luggi, located by the Old Town. They rent electric bikes as well as road bikes and mountain bikes.
• Restrooms are available near the ticket office in Hohenschwangau and the entrances for both castles. There are also restrooms at the café near Schwansee.
• Bring water and snacks. You may run across a few fountains with potable water, but it’s best to be prepared.
• Multiple trails lead to all of the various destinations included in this post. You may find your routes differ from the ones I describe below.
• Trail junctions are well signed. You may see signs pointing in multiple directions to the same location, which can be a little confusing, but don’t worry. Whichever route you choose, it will all work out.
• There are many benches located along the trails, perfect for picnicking or soaking in the view.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Neuschwanstein Castle is on the bucket list for many travelers, and despite the throngs of visitors, the sight of this stunning castle is indeed breathtaking. Make your visit stand out from the ordinary by staying overnight in Füssen, the charming Bavarian town located just a few miles from Neuschwanstein. From here, bike and pedestrian trails provide easy access to the castles, as well as the opportunity to soak in some of Bavaria’s outstanding natural beauty.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Biking from Füssen to Neuschwanstein is a great option for families. Kids will love getting to see the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, although the steep hike to Neuschwanstein can be tiring. Be sure to plan for a few breaks as needed, and give yourself ample time to reach the castles if you have a tour booked. Better to be early and give everyone a chance to visit the WC and take a snack break!

On a hot day, Schwansee is a delight. The kids can go for a swim, and the vibe is chill. The café here is great for an easy lunch or ice cream treat. If you have time to go a little further afield, you can bike, walk, or bus to the Tegelberg luge. What kid wouldn’t love zooming down the track in their own personal toboggan (or adult for that matter)? Plus, there’s an adventure playground for the kids and a beer garden for the parents. Prost!

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

If you plan to tour both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles and spend time at Schwansee, be prepared to dedicate an entire day to your adventure. I recommend bringing a picnic with you, as the food options near the castles aren’t the best. The Rewe grocery store in Füssen offers a wide selection, including pre-made sandwiches and salads. There are also several bakeries in and around Füssen’s Old Town, including one located conveniently near the bus station.

With more time, consider biking the 20-mile loop around Forggensee (Forggen Lake). For an easier trek, you can bike from Neuschwanstein Castle to Tegelberg, a small but impressively rocky peak offering a cable car ride to the top. Tegelberg also features great hiking, a summer luge ride, adventure playground, a beer garden, and more.

What better way to spend a sunny summer day in Füssen than on a bike ride? Or, in my case, on a lovely walk. I’ve biked this route previously, but on this occasion I set out from the Old Town on foot, heading down to the bridge just below St. Mang’s Monastery. Rather than cross the river, I headed downhill to the right of the bridge, then turned left onto the paved bike and pedestrian path.

The shady river walk was a refreshing break from the heat of the summer sun. Shimmering turquoise water flowed swiftly by on its way to Forggensee, the large lake to the northeast of Füssen. The water isn’t always so dazzling. Following heavy rainfall, the color can change from a lucid aquamarine to that of a frothy cappuccino.

A short walk along the river led to a small pedestrian and bike bridge, the Lechsteg. I crossed, following the signs pointing toward Hohenschwangau. Here the path ducked under the road and veered left toward Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.

At this point, the bike route followed along the main road leading to Hohenschwangau. Lined with trees and pasture land, it’s a bucolic scene, even with the occasional car whizzing by. Every so often, a tractor rumbled past, slowing traffic and providing a reminder that this region is still home to many working farms.

Further along, I noticed a few trails veering off to my right. These paths lead to Schwansee, the small like that lies hidden just out of sight. While I planned to hike another route from Hohenschwangau Castle to Schwansee later, these trails offer a more bicycle-friendly alternative.

As I drew closer to the castles, I caught a glimpse of Hohenschwangau peeking above the trees. Not far past this point, Neuschwanstein also made an appearance, towering grandly from its craggy perch. Unsurprisingly, a number of parking lots also came into view, while a sign labeled “Allgäu” (the name of this particular region of Bavaria) welcomed visitors to Schwangau, the small, touristy village that lies at the foot of these two famous palaces.

Soon, overflowing bike racks announced the entrance to Hohenschwangau, land of King Ludwig and his most famous (or infamous) legacy, Neuschwanstein Castle. The bus stop and information center swarmed with visitors. No doubt about it, my peaceful walk had come to an end. Things were about to get busy (and maybe a little sweaty, too)!

After the nice, easy stroll to the Hohenschwangu ticket center, my walk kicked into high gear. The steep uphill climb to Neuschwanstein Castle can test the endurance of the most stalwart traveler. OK, so that may be an exaggeration, but be prepared for a little exertion. I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to walk from the Hohenschwangau information center to the castle gate. Slow walkers may need more time. Even if you find you need less, better to be safe than sorry if you have a reservation time at Neuschwanstein — there are no second chances if you miss your timed entry.

There are two main options leading up the hill to Neuschwanstein. The first is accessed from a small parking lot located across the road as you round the corner by the information center. A paved path starts at the back of the parking lot. Keep an eye out, and you’re sure to find it. Personally, I prefer this route, as it feels like the road less traveled when compared with the main thoroughfare. It’s a little steeper, however, and involves some stairs. Eventually, it connects up with the main route for the final hike to the castle.

The other option is to continue walking a little further past the information center until you reach the ticket booth. Across the road from the ticket booth, another road marks the start of the uphill trek. Look for signposts pointing the way, as well as throngs of tourists heading either up or down.

Soon, the cars disappear, leaving you and hundreds of (hopefully) happy castle-goers to enjoy the climb on your own. Occasionally, a horse-drawn carriage clip-clops past — keep an eye out for horse droppings! You may smell them before you see them.

I wound my way uphill, and eventually came to a large plaza with a covered waiting area. If you arrive early for your castle tour, this is a nice place to hang out before your official entrance time. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to reach the castle courtyard before your number is called. Helpful signs mark the time, and restrooms are available. There are even snacks for sale, and a nearby restaurant with a spacious patio.

The official entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle lies just ahead. The road surves around the towering castle walls, leading to an enormous wooden gate. At this point, be prepared to show your ticket to gain entry. I, however, had other plans. Now that I had made it to Neuschwanstein, it was time to head to Mary’s Bridge.

After the uphill climb to Neuschwanstein Castle, the walk to Mary’s Bridge is a breeze. The castle looms above the paved path, drawing all eyes upwards. I paused to snap a few photos of the castle before continuing on.

The paved trail led me briefly uphill, but thankfully it was nowhere near as intense as the climb to Neuschwanstein itself. Midway along the path, the trees opened up to showcase an expansive view. Füssen and the Forggensee (Forggen Lake) lay nestled in the green valley below, while forested hills marked the sudden shift from flat lands to mountains, with Hohenschwangau Castle and the Alpsee (Alp Lake) set like jewels amidst the greenery.

When I reached Mary’s Bridge, the scene was buzzing. A congested line of people stood waiting for their chance to walk out onto the bridge, which was itself crammed with onlookers. Mary’s Bridge is free to enter and offers the best views of Neuschwanstein Castle, hence its overwhelming popularity. During peak times of day, there can be a 45-minute wait, or even longer, to walk out onto its wooden planks.

On this particular occasion, I was here at peak visitation time, and there was no way I was going to either 1) wait for 45 minutes or 2) walk onto this tiny bridge packed with people 300 feet over the Pöllat Gorge. No thank you! I returned the following year around 5pm and was delighted to find that the wait time was only a few minutes. After five in the evening, the crowds definitely begin to diminish. I can’t guarantee you will ever have Mary’s Bridge to yourself, but at least you may have a little wiggle room, with no need to wait in line.

You may, however, find yourself waiting on a lot of people taking a lot of selfies. Seriously, how many different angles and poses must one person try before they find that perfect shot? I admit I felt a little cranky as I waited for others to finally step away from the rails so I could quickly capture the legendary view of Neuschwanstein Castle for myself. In the meantime, I caught a good look at the waterfall tumbling through Pöllat Gorge below. It was, in a word, terrifying.

By now, you probably realize that high, narrow bridges are not exactly my safe space, especially when I have to share that space with several dozen others. After a quick look, I was more than ready to move on. But with a view like this, well, I can’t say it wasn’t worth it!

From Mary’s Bridge, a steep, wide gravel path offers the most direct route back down to Hohenschwangau. If you prefer not to walk, take the shuttle bus instead. The downhill trip costs 1€ and follows a separate road away from the trail.

But as long as you feel up to more walking, have suitable footgear, and your knees agree, the walk downhill from Mary’s Bridge is a good choice. The route follows an old gravel road set aside for pedestrians (and possibly the occasional bike). It can be slippery, so shoes with good traction are essential.

I walked the trail quickly, and was back down at the parking lot in just 10 minutes. Hohenschwangau capped the small hilltop ahead of me, while Alpsee lay to my left. If you’re heading directly to Hohenschwangau Castle, walk across the lot and look for the paved path pointing the way. You’ll arrive at the castle gates within 20 minutes.

With more time, turn left and walk a few minutes to the shores of Alpsee. This enticing lake is ringed with dense forest and plunging cliffs, but here near the Hohenschwangau parking lot you’ll have easy access to the water. It’s a good spot for a quick informal picnic, and on a hot day you may spot a few swimmers. Of course, my favorite swimming spot is Schwansee, which we’ll get to soon.

From the small beach at Alpsee, I turned right to walk counterclockwise along the road bordering the lake. I didn’t have far to go before reaching a signpost pointing toward Hohenschwangau Castle (Schloss Hohenschwangau). It was time for a quick detour.

A 10-minute walk led up the narrow paved road to the castle. This is the back entrance, and aside from a handful of other foot travelers, you may pass a few horse-drawn carriages. Even without a reservation for a tour, Hohenschwangau Castle is a fun stop, with graceful gardens and a lovely view of the Alpsee.

For me, however, the best was yet to come. Time to leave the madding crowds behind for something a true hidden gem…

After strolling the gardens at Hohenschwangau Castle, I headed back downhill. Only this time, instead of following the path back to the ticket center, I followed the cobbled road that leads away from the back side of the castle and through the woods.

I soon reached Alpsee, where the placid water shimmered through the trees. After turning right onto the road bordering the lake, I came to another signpost. Schwansee was just 30 minutes away.

I followed the trail toward Schwansee, checking the signage at each intersection before choosing my route. A dense network of trails crisscrosses the forests and meadows behind Hohenschwangau, but fortunately everything is well signed.

At this point, I was on a true trail. Gone were the asphalt roads and parking lots. Here, I was surrounded by greenery, birdsong, and the earthy smell of the soft forest floor. A rocky switchback trail wound its way down to the valley below. I stepped over a muddy patch on the trail, glad to reconnect with the natural world.

After the switchbacks, the trail leveled out. Gravel crunched underfoot as I traversed sun-dappled meadows, pausing to admire the lily pads dotting a few small ponds. Schwansee was only minutes away.

The day was warm, so it was no surprise to find sunbathers and swimmers scatteredd about the shores of Schwansee. The lake boasts a couple of swimming docks, and the expansive meadows lure unsuspecting hikers and bikers to settle in for an afternoon nap. Sadly, I did not have time for a swim (or a nap), but I could still slow down and revel in the sunshine.

The snack bar was open, offering cold drinks under shady umbrellas. I paused to check out the simple menu before continuing along the gravel path toward the road leading back to Füssen.

In only ten minutes, I was back at the paved bike and pedestrian path that connects Füssen with the castles at Hohenschwangau. This time, I turned left to walk back into town. There was little traffic on the road now, and a hint of gold edged the newly mown fields as the sun began slowly to sink. Back in Füssen, the walls of St. Mang’s Monastery glowed as I made my way up the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town, warmly welcoming me back.