Discover a hidden gem in the Alps
Discover the pristine Elmau Valley, an impossibly peaceful sanctuary amidst one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes of the Alps, surrounded by majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, archaic river beds, wild forests and jaw dropping canyons. Close to the spectacular castles of King Ludwig II. and right on the border between Austria and Bavaria. Far away from everything, just an hour from Munich, 40 minutes from Innsbruck, 20 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and a 2 ½ hour scenic drive to the Dolomites.
King´s House on Schachen
King Ludwig II.’s royal retreat features the most spectacular philosophical and political interior design concept to be found in Europe. Built in 1868 – 1872 and located 1800 m above sea level in the Wetterstein Mountains, the Schachen not only offers breathing taking views of the spectacular scenery, but also a unique cosmopolitan interior design beyond imgagination. While the ground floor represents his bavarian heritage, the upper floor reflects the King’s fascination with a distant Orient and India. It is here, in a world of contradiction, alienation and appropriation, where he felt free and at home and where he celebrated his birthdays.
Equally impressive is his cosmopolitical botancical garden just below his retreat which features the most beautiful mountain lowers from all over the world.
The Schachenhaus can be reached from Schloss Elmau in one hour with an E-Mountainbike or after an easy 3 1/2 hours hike. You can even stay over night at the Schachenhaus or continue to the Meilerhütte in another hour and stay there overnight to climb up on the next morning to the Dreitorspitze, which is 2633 m above sea level.


Ferchensee Lake
The crystal-clear Ferchensee Lake located just 3 km from the Elmau Valley and is ideally suited for wild-swimming from June – October. It reaches refreshing temperatures between 22 – 24 °C in the months of July and August. The beautiful trail along the rushing Ferchenbach creek and around the lake is perfect for jogging with a total distance of up to 9 km.
Discover the incredibly beauitfuly Soiern Lakes where that King Ludwig II.build his first hunting lodge at 1400 m above sea-level. You can reach the lakes from Schloss Elmau after a two hour e-mountaibike and an easy one hour hike or after a 1 1/2 e-mountainbike and adventurous two hour hike tour offering specacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You can also easly climb to the top of the Soiern mountains at 2100m above sea-level from the lodge which serves hot meals and drinks.
The idyllic Geroldsee Lake is ideal for wild-swimming from early June until late Occtober with water temeperatures between 24 – 28 °C. You can reach the lake from Schloss Elmau with an e-bike or e-mountainbike withing 20 minutes and continue from here on a two hour five lakes and nature sightseeing tour which leads you back to Schloss Elmau.
You can reach the wonderful Barmsee Lake from Schloss Elmau with an e-bike or e-mountainbike within 20 minutes. After a refresing bath you can return to Schloss Elmau via the famous Buckelwiese offering breathaking panoramic views, the idyllic Bavarian village of Mittenwald and the Lautersee and Ferchensee lakes.
The spectactular Walchensee lake offers phantastic conditions for kite-surfing, wind-surfing, rowing and stand-up paddling as well as idyllic beaches for sun-bathing and swimming. You can reach the lake from Schloss Elmau within 35 minutes with an e-bike, mountain-bike or race bike or in 15 minutes with one of our all-electric BMW models. You can return to Schloss Elmau via some of the most idylic roads in the Alps for cycling via Jachenau and Sylvenstein lake.