The Hopferwald circuit is a very beautiful winter hike, approx.
The approximately 5,6 kilometer long Hopferwald circuit leads through a fairytale winter landscape that will delight young and old with its varied impressions. The tour lasts just under two hours and runs mainly on cleared paths. It is moderately demanding as there are some small climbs that require a bit of fitness. Sturdy shoes and warm clothing are also required for the winter hike. The starting and finishing point is the Hopfen lido, where parking is available. From Weißensee, simply follow the signs to Hopfen am See.
From the lido at Hopfensee you first go to the beautiful and lively waterfront promenade, which has earned the spa town the nickname “Riviera des Allgäus”. Here you can enjoy an unforgettable 180-degree panoramic view over the lake to the snow-covered Allgäuer mountains and the fairytale royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to linger on the promenade. The tour leads to the end of the town, where in front of a small campsite you turn right into the quiet Hopferwald, where the paths are now only cleared of white. The hikers follow the signs towards the Hopfen castle ruins until they reach an intersection. Here it is worth taking a short detour up to the Hopfen castle ruins, the oldest stone castle in the Allgäu, of which remains of walls up to three meters high have been preserved. The castle is a popular excursion destination, especially because of the great views of the Ammergau Alps and Tannheim Mountains. The Hopferwald circuit continues at the junction to the left, past a large equipment shed.
We now go straight ahead through a quiet winter landscape to the next junction, where hikers keep left. In a clearing with small ponds, turn right and follow the signs to “Pestfriedhof”. You will soon have a wonderful view over snow-covered meadows of the Allgäu mountains. The striking peaks of the Säulings and Aggenstein in particular dominate the scenery here. A little later we go back into the dense Hopferwald, which has a wealth of beautiful impressions to offer. The hiking enthusiasts discover animal tracks in the snow, listen to the occasional voices of forest dwellers and, with a bit of luck, even spot deer and deer along the way. The pleasantly cold air also contributes to making the tour a feast for the senses. The day trippers follow the signs for the Enzensberg specialist clinic in order to return to the entrance to Hopfen. The tour finally leads via Enzensbergstrasse and later Bergstrasse to the shores of Lake Hopfensee. Now it's not far to the beach. Before you head back to Weißensee, you can stop off at one of the cafés and restaurants to end the trip on a pleasant note.
Beautiful winter nature impressions and unforgettable views of the snow-capped Allgäu mountains make the Hopferwald circuit a real highlight among the winter hikes in and around Füssen-Weißensee. This varied tour is highly recommended to all Allgäu holidaymakers with a bit of fitness.
