Hiking The Tegelberg Mountain in Schwangau

Besides visiting world-famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles located near Fussen, the adventurous can spare a few hours hiking the Tegelberg trails. The Tegelbergbahn (cable car) is a more convenient way of ascending the peak.

The Tegelberg mountain is situated just beside the castles of King Ludwig II, and there are numerous trails you can take which will lead you to the peak. There are information counters at the foot of the mountain where you can find out which trail suits you most. The level ranges from beginner to expert, and the time taken to hike each trail differs. We decided to hike 4.9km up to the Tegelberg Talstation that’s 1,720 metres high, and it took us approximately 6 hours going up and coming back down.

During the ascent on the Kulturpfad Schutzengelweg, you’ll come across unique flora and fauna. You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, as well as, the magnificent Ammer Mountains. At the mountain station of the Tegelbergbahn, you can watch paragliders competing against one another. The other thing to look out for is the Tegelberghaus which was built as a royal hunting lodge. This became King Ludwig II’s beloved mountain destination.

Hiking the Tegelberg trail made me realize how moody the mountain weather can get. Upon arriving at the peak, I was surprised to see fresh snow covering the ground. The air was foggy and it felt quite chilly. However, when we were descending, the sun came out, and we had to remove our jackets. A little while later, it started pouring heavily. Well, it certainly felt as though I’ve experienced the 4 seasons while hiking this mountain.

Halfway through our descent, we needed to rest our legs for a little while, so we stopped at Rohrkopfhutte (Pipehead Hut), a restaurant that’s 1,250 metres high, and can be reached via the Schutzengelweg. We chose to dine alfresco which was a great decision, as we managed to get a spectacular view over the mountains and lakes of Schwangau. My friend and I tried traditional handmade German meatballs, and shared a potato pancake with cheese and tomatoes. The food here is really good. If you need a place to take a short break, or need food to refuel yourselves before continuing your hike, I would recommend Rohrkopfhutte!

During summer, there are more activities for the entire family. You can bring your kids to the playground, or have fun at the mountain water treading pool, and do some rock climbing (or rather, wall climbing), just to name a few. In winter times, the sporty ones who are seeking to get their adrenaline pumping will be pleased to know that there are slopes and trails for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. Doesn’t matter when you’re visiting, the Tegelberg is a mountain for all seasons!

The Tegelberg Mountain is located at Tegelbergstasse 33, 87645 Schwangau. Click here for more information on the opening hours during different seasons.