No trip to the Zugspitzland is complete without a trip to the “Top of Germany”, the peak of the Zugspitze. At 2,962m it is Germany’s highest point and here you will also find Germany’s largest glacier, the Schneeferner.

We strongly recommend that you make the trip on a clear day as the 360° views of up to 250km away are simply breathtaking.

The famous cogwheel trains that take you up the mountain, through a 4,5km long tunnel, start at the Zugspitzbahn station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen; only a 10 minute train journey from Oberau.

The beautiful Schloss Linderhof is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and the only one of which he lived to see completed.

Possibly the most elaborate hunting lodge of all time (the palace was developed around the foresters lodge that Ludwig stayed at when on hunting expeditions with his father, Maximillian II) todays palace was inspired by the architecture of the palace at Versailles, near Paris.

The palace is set in beautiful gardens which are a joy to peruse in the summer, and the magical Venus Grotto is a perfect example of why Ludwig II was known as the fairytale king.

Linderhof is just a 20 minute drive from Oberau.

The fascinating Benedictine monastery at Ettal, with a community of more than 50 monks, is one of the largest Benedictine houses in Germany. It’s beautiful Baroque architecture is a joy to behold and the charming village of Ettal offers many lovely walks. Don’t forget to bring home some of the beer which is still brewed by the monks on-site in the monastery at the Ettaler Brauerei.

Ettal is a mere 12 minute drive from Oberau, along the scenic Ettaler Sattel.

The Kuhflucht waterfall is actually a group of 3 waterfalls. Together, they make a length of 270m which puts them amongst the highest waterfalls in Germany.

The walk to the falls takes you through the Farchanter forest trail, where there are many educational signs and displays giving some interesting insights into Bavarias forests.

The forest trail starts just a 9 minute drive from our premises; or you can hike the whole way to the waterfall in around 1.5 hours.

Carved out of the rock by the Partnach and Hammersbach rivers, these Gorges are each around 700m long and up to 80m deep in places. Both can be walked through in their entirety and the Höllentalklamm even forms part of the 8-10 hour hike up to the top of the Zugspitze, should you feel so inclined.

The Partnachklamm is only 20 minutes and Höllentalklamm 25 drive away from Oberau.

At the foot of the Zugspitze, the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the Eibsee are a beautiful place to swim in the summer and a walk around the lake offers astonishingly beautiful views year-round.

The Eibsee is near to the lovely village of Grainau, and around a 30 minute drive from Oberau. A trip to the lake can be easily combined with a trip to the Zugspitz plateau as the cable cars that bring you back down end at the lake.

The least known of the palaces that King Ludwig II built, this property is often described as a hunting lodge, though Ludwig never used it for this purpose, instead utilizing it for parties. That would explain the lavish interior, including the Turkish Room decorated in an oriental fashion.

The adjacent Alpine botanical garden contains over 1000 alpine plant species and is well worth a visit.

Both the palace and the gardens are only open to guests in the summer months, and can only be reached by an approx. 3 hour hike from Garmish-Partenkirchen. Garmisch is just a 12 minute drive from Oberau.

Ideal for skiers and hikers alike, there are several Gondolas carrying pleasure-seekers up the neaby mountains. Aside from the famous Zugspitzbergbahn, the most popular include the Wankbahn, the Kreuzeckbahn and the Hausbergbahn. All afford beautiful views of the surrounding areas and all are no more than approx. a 20 minute drive from Oberau.

Despite the name, this 18-hole golf course is located in Oberau, just a 5 minute drive from our property!

Avid golfers will love this moderately difficult course with its driving range and practise area; but mostly you will love it for its stunning mountain views.

The course is open most days from April to November and guests are welcome to play there with a valid handicap certificate. We strongly suggest you call in advance, to check you will be allowed to play there, and advance booking is essential.

The beautiful city of Munich is the 3rd largest in Germany and the capital of Bavaria. Full of history and amazing architecture, Munich is also a global centre of art, science, technology and culture.

Visit the 3 Pinakothek Galleries to see world-famous works of art from the likes of da Vinci and Monet right through to modern-masterpieces from Picasso and Warhol; or if science is more your thing visit the Deutsche Museum, Europes largest museum of Science and Technology.

Stroll though the huge Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, and stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden for a “Maß”, a whole litre of beer. With beer such a staple of bavarian culture there is never a shortage of places to find a drink, but probably the most famous of Munichs many beer halls is the Hofbräuhaus. A hub for political discussion since it was first built in 1896 (Hitler’s storm troops first gained notoriety in what became known as the Schlacht im Hofbräuhaus (Battle of the Hofbräuhaus) in 1921), the huge hall with it’s long tables and traditional bavarian music is more of a magnet for tourists than anything else today.

Munich is only around an hours drive from Oberau, or approx. 1 hour & 15 minutes on the train direct from Oberau station.

One of the most well-known and most beautiful castles in the world, and said to be the inspiration for the famous Disney castle, Schloß Neuschwanstein was King Ludwig II’s masterpiece.

Inspired by, and built partly in honour of, the operas of Richard Wagner, Neuschanstein was such a massive undertaking that it is still not completely finished to this day. Had it been completed, the palace would have had more than 200 interior rooms, including premises for guests and servants. Ultimately, however, no more than about 15 rooms and halls were finished, although the finished rooms are all true to the typical lavish style of Ludwig and are beautiful to behold.

The castle is open to the public year-round and a must-see for architecture lovers and true romanticists. The smaller castles at Schwangau, nearby, are also well worth a visit, making this a day-trip which you won’t forget. Neuschwanstein is around a 1 hour drive from Oberau.

Innsbruck is where exciting city-life meets the charm of the Austrian Tyrol. Though only a small city, and therefore easily explored in a day-trip from Oberau, there is plenty to see, including the beautiful Hofkirche and the grand Hofburg palace which is considered one of the most culturally significant buildings in Austria. No trip to Innsbruck is complete, however, without seeing the famous Golden Roof in the old town. Commisioned by Emperor Maximillian I and completed in 1500, this balustrade was designed to serve as a royal box so that he and his entourage could sit and enjoy festivals.

Innsbruck is only approx. 1 hours drive from Oberau, or can be reached in around 1 hour 40 mins via direct train from Oberau station.