Sightseeing

The Elmau Valley sanctuary is located 1000 m above sealevel, at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountain, amidst one of the most beautiful, varied and pristine landscapes of the Alps, on the border between Bavaria and Austria, just 90 minutes from Munich Airport, 40 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, 2 1/2 hours from Salzburg, 3 1/2 hours from Zurich and a magnifcient 4 1/2 hour scenic drive from Venice.

You can reach all places worth seeing between Munich and Innsbruck within one hour: Oberammergau, Schloss Linderhof Castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle, Wieskirche Church, Abbey Ettal, Gabriele Münter & Vassily Kandinsky Museum in Murnau, Franz Marc Museum at the Kochelsee Lake, Buchheim Museum at the Starnberger Lake, Walchensee Lake, Eibsee Lake, Tegernsee Lake, Achensee Lake, Zugspitz Glacier and much more....

With its striking architecture, King Ludwig II.s royal retreat is one of the most impressive places you can find anywhere in the Alps. Built in 1868-1872 and located 1800m 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 2900m above sea level.

The Ferchensee and Lautersee lakes are located 3km and 5 km from the Elmau Valley. The trail along the rushing creek and around the Ferchensee is also perfect for jogging.