Around Füssen-Weißensee there is a real hiking paradise with many beautiful paths that lead through the charming Allgäu mountain landscape. A highlight is the recently created geopath GEO GrenzGÄNGER - an approximately 15 kilometer long circular hiking trail with various adventure stations along the route that provide information about the geological peculiarities of the region. Varied natural impressions and wonderful views of magnificent mountains are of course also included in the tour.
Experience interesting stories about the types of rock in the Allgäuer and Tyrolean mountains and how they are mined during a hike on the GEO GrenzGÄNGER geopath. The educational themed trail leads over a length of approximately 15 kilometers through a wonderful mountain landscape and connects the Ziegelwies forest adventure center, the Austrian town of Pinswang and the municipality of Schwangau. Due to its length, this tour, which takes around five and a half hours, requires a healthy level of fitness. The “Little GEO GrenzGÄNGER” is more suitable for families with children and seniors – a hike that is only around 6 kilometers long. You can join the geopath either at the Schwansee car park in Schwangau or at the Ziegelwies Forest Adventure Center in Füssen.
Starting from the Schwansee car park, where the first experience station informs you about the “royal quarry”, follow the signs “GEO GrenzGÄNGER” towards Alterschrofen. The second station is at a great viewing point that offers a breathtaking view of the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein, which sits enthroned in the picturesque mountain nature here near Schwangau. At the Schwangau lime kiln you will learn the history of lime burning and other stops along the way will inform you about the formation of caves and the wildly romantic Lech, which forms the lifeline of the Allgäuer Königswinkel.
You march a little way up the Füssener Calvary, where pretty little station chapels along the way illustrate the suffering of Jesus Christ. Feel free to take the short detour to the summit to enjoy the view over Füssen and the foothills of the Alps. Shortly before the summit, the route continues to the right towards Hutlerberg, where an adventure rest area invites you to take a break. You will then reach the Ziegelwies Forest Adventure Center in Füssen, which is a popular excursion destination with its adventurous themed trails and the impressive treetop path. In the WEZ building there is an exhibition room that illustrates the geology of the region using models. The route continues across the German-Austrian border to the Rote Wand, where marble was once mined in a large quarry. A little later you will reach another viewing point and can find out more about gravel mining in the Lech on the display board.
In Pinswang, Austria, you can take a break at the Schluxen Inn, where fairytale king Ludwig II used to often stop, before continuing past ore mines towards Alpsee. The beautiful Alpsee, which invites you to cool off on warm days, also has geological features that you can find out about here on the shore. You finally climb down the Fischersteig to Schwansee and shortly afterwards arrive back at the parking lot. Behind you lies a varied and informative hike that guarantees many great holiday impressions.
Enjoyment of nature, wonderful views of the mountains and exciting knowledge about the geology of the Alps – holidaymakers in Füssen-Weißensee will definitely have a lot of fun and learn interesting things about the region while hiking on the GEO GrenzGÄNGER.
