Discover one of Bavaria's most scenic landscapes on this tour from Munich by train and van. Marvel at the stature and delicate architecture of Neuschwanstein Castle standing proud atop a hill and surrounded by forested mountains. See the sprawling valley from the foot of the castle walls and learn about its history from your guide along a walking tour of the grounds. Located 2 hours from Munich, the enchanting old-world town of Füssen lies in the foothills of the Alps, framed by one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world. Towering far above the village, seemingly sculpted out of the very mountains that rise magnificently to the heavens, is a sight made from the stuff of dreams: the fabulous and ethereal Neuschwanstein Castle. This glorious folly was built in the 19th-Century by the famed "mad" King Ludwig II, a man intoxicated by mythology and who himself became a legend. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognizable to many who haven’t ever heard the name Neuschwanstein. It is the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle and is famous the world over as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang castle. To visit it is to step inside a fairy tale. On this full-day tour from Munich, your guide will take you by train or bus and accompany you uphill to the castle’s lofty perch, where it sits gleaming above a spectacular panorama of mountains, lakes, and valleys. It’s not just about the castle – it’s also about its wonderful location. You will go to the best vantage points and explore the lake. If time and weather permits, you can even enjoy a swim. Get postcard-perfect views of the equally beautiful Hohenschwangau Castle, the waterfall gorge, and the stunning Marienbrücke Bridge, suspended high above it all. While you are marveling at the beauty, your guide will tell you the engaging story of King Ludwig’s renowned and tragic reign, his turbulent times, and of the obsession that drove him to build his fantasy castle in the mountains that ultimately destroyed him. If you choose to purchase a ticket on the day, skip the long lines for the separate internal tour of the king’s private chambers by a specialist castle guide. The tour is the most practical way to admire this amazing fantasy world.

Day One (1170Hm ascent and 15km in eight hours). Meet at 7:30 AM at Garmisch-Partenkirchen station to catch the train to Mittenwald. Hike on medium to difficult level trails past the lakes of Lautersee and Ferchensee. Begin to ascent to Schützensteig, which leads along the foot of the Wettersteingrat to the rustic Wettersteinalm. Enjoy a lunch break here. Walk on to Gamssteigen for the overnight stay at Schachenhaus, which is where King Ludwig spend his vacations.  Day Two (350Hm ascent, 810Hm descent, and 9km in four hours).  Today is easier than the first. Enjoy a rich delicious breakfast before a tour of the impressive Schachenschlosses, which can include the adjacent botanical garden. Around noon, climb the viewing platform Teufelsgsaß over into the Upper Reine Valley, the climatic dado of Wetterstein. Here full concentration is required because the path can sometimes be steep and a bit exposed. Walk down to the Bock hut to enjoy homemade cakes. Meet the Zugspitz though Reintal tour here and together venture deeper into the Reintal, below gigantic cliffs along the picturesque Partnach with deep blue pumps towards their origin. Reach tonight's accommodation at the Reintalangerhütte for a cozy evening thinking about climbing the summit tomorrow.  Day Three (1550Hm ascent and 7.5km in seven hours).  After a hearty breakfast, begin the most strenuous leg of the tour. Navigate slippery steep slopes up to Knorrhütte, where you can take a rest. The trail leads over the Zugspitzplatt, where a glacier used to be, to the cable car station Sonnaipin. Choose to either take the train or climb the rest of the way over steep gravel terrain to the summit of the Zugspitze. At the summit, be treated to a delicious cool drink on the sun terrace and enjoy the breathtaking panorama to Hohe Tauern, the Ötztalern, and the Allgäu Alps. Descend by the historically significant Zugspitze cog railway, which returns to the starting point, the Garmisch train station.