The approximately eleven kilometer long hiking tour presented here leads alternately across Bavarian and Austrian terrain to the Falkenstein and Vilsegg castle ruins. Varied landscape impressions, healthy mountain air and two historical castle ruins worth seeing make the hike a great holiday experience.
Around Füssen-Weißensee, a real hiking paradise awaits Allgäu holidaymakers with countless tours for every fitness level, which run through a beautiful picture-book landscape. The approximately eleven kilometer long hike presented here is of medium difficulty and leads through a varied high-altitude landscape to the Vilsegg and Falkenstein castle ruins. Falkenstein Castle in particular is a must-see on a Allgäu holiday, as the highest castle complex in Germany used to be an impressive symbol of power and dominance thanks to its exposed location. The starting and finishing point of this circular tour, for which you should plan around six hours, is the parking lot opposite the Breitenbergbahn in the municipality of Pfronten, not far from Weißensee. In addition to hiking boots with good tread soles and possibly hiking poles, remember to take enough provisions with you.
Start walking from the parking lot opposite the Breitenbergbahn in the direction of Vils and follow the signpost to the edge of the forest. Along the rushing Vils we go through idyllic meadows to the village of Vils, before the tour leads to the Vilsegg castle ruins at another signpost with the castle path symbol. From this hilltop castle, which was built between 1220 and 1230 and stands about sixty meters above the Vilstal on Tyrolean terrain, the imposing six-story keep has been preserved, which was also inhabited in past centuries.
The hiking tour then leads past the Vilsegg ruins, sometimes steeply uphill, into a fascinating mountain landscape that offers unforgettable views of picturesque meadows and mighty peaks. After some time, the hiking enthusiasts reach the Salober Alm, located at an altitude of 1150 , a popular mountain hut in the region, which is currently temporarily closed. The climb to the Falkenstein castle ruins begins here at the hut and leads past wonderful viewpoints. Take the time to thoroughly enjoy the views of the Allgäu lake landscape and the nearby town of Füssen and capture them in photos. While you alternate between German and Austrian soil, you climb up to the Zirmgrat and then take a trail up to the Zwölferkopf.
Now it goes downhill, partly along impressive rock faces, to an intersection where a road leads up to the Falkenstein castle ruins. The castle complex was built at the end of the 13. Century on behalf of the Tyrolean Count Meinhard II, who had it created as a conspicuous threatening gesture towards the Bavarian dukes with whom he was then fighting over the Staufer inheritance. From a wooden platform that was built within the castle ruins after renovation work, you can kneel down and enjoy the view of the Vilstal and countless mountain peaks. The wonderful location of Falkenstein Castle once persuaded the fairytale king Ludwig II to buy it in order to build a magnificent castle in the style of Neuschwanstein in its place. Only the unforeseen death of the monarch 1886 prevented the realization of this plan.
The return route takes you past the castle hotel to the beautiful Mariengrotte and over the Vils river back to the starting point. The many fantastic views, varied landscape impressions and two historic castle ruins make the tour a hiking highlight that promises wonderful vacation hours.
