Hike to best viewpoint at Castle Neuschwanstein via Pöllatschlucht
Castle Neuschwanstein near Hohenschwangau in Bavaria (Allgäu), Germany, is the so called “fairytale castle” and the most famous castle of the Bavarian King Ludwig II. It was built for him starting 1869 as a symbol of a knight’s castle, but he only lived there for 172 days while it was still under construction. King Ludwig II. died before the castle was finished. It’s being visited by 1.5 million tourists per year. The picture was taken from the bridge “Marienbrücke” where you can easily hike to via “Pöllatschlucht”. Please note that “Marienbrücke” is currently closed.
Details on the hike through “Pöllatschlucht” to “Marienbrücke”:
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Distance | ~7 km |
| Duration | 1:45 hours |
| Up in altitude | ~240 m |
| Down in altitude | ~240 m |
You would start at the valley station of “Tegelbergbahn” in Schwangau and hike up along the river “Pöllat” and via the canyon “Pöllatschlucht” where you pass a nice waterfall which is around 30 m high. Shortly before you reach the bridge “Marienbrücke” you will also have a nice view of the lakes “Schwanensee” and “Alpsee” and the Castle Hohenschwangau. From “Marienbrücke” you have a picturesque view of Castle Neuschwanstein. You hike back down again in the direction of Schwangau and “Tegelbergbahn”. If you like, you can enjoy a chilled beer or some food at the restaurant “Alpe Reith” at the end of hike.
