A 5-day Road Trip Itinerary through the Bavarian Alps

In late April, a group of friends and I set off on a road trip through the Bavarian Alps, chasing mountains, lakes, and fairy-tale villages. Over the course of four days, we hiked, ate, explored, and stumbled upon some truly unexpected moments. If you’re planning your own Bavarian Alps road trip itinerary, here’s a look at how we spent our time and what I’d recommend along the way.

Day 1: Munich → Oberammergau → Bischofswiesen

Our Bavarian Alps road trip itinerary began with a short drive south from Munich to Oberammergau. We took a slow and scenic ski lift to the top of the mountain, and spent about 30 minutes playing like children at the playground. 10,000km away from home, we still had each other and felt so excited to finally live out one of our bucket list items. The thought of starting our road trip in the Bavarian Alps was enough to turn 8 adults in their 20s into 8 children again. The Alpine Coaster was the perfect adrenaline kickstart—racing down the mountain at top speed had us all screaming and laughing. At the moment, there was nothing concerning us other than the amazing views, the wind blowing across our faces, and our giggles that could be heard across the mountain.

The real highlight, though, was the Kofel hike. It started gently but quickly turned into scrambling near the summit. Being told by our friend that it was a "Medium-level hike on AllTrails", we expected a walking trail, only to be faced with
footholds and cables. It was tough, but the views of Oberammergau and the surrounding Alps were worth every step. At the top of Kofel, with nothing blocking our view of the horizon, we had never felt so free. At that point, the reality that we were across the world, living out our Pinterest Boards, had finally hit us. We had all separately felt compelled to call our loved ones -- parents, siblings, friends, and significant others -- to share the view and moment. Life was truly too good in that moment to not share with the ones we love. By evening, we reached Bischofswiesen, our cozy Airbnb base for the days ahead.

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Day 2: Lake Hintersee & Salzburg

On our second day, we swapped our original itinerary and opted for a slower pace. Lake Hintersee was absolutely stunning—calm, reflective, and almost surreal in its beauty. Wearing convertible pants was one of the best ideas I ever had, as we got to dip our toes in the icy cold water, while basking in the warm and inviting sun. Sitting at the small dock, we could only sit in silence and enjoy the peace of the lake and its views. With nothing but the sound of the water and children giggling at the shore, it was another quiet moment to appreciate. We lingered with plates of apple strudel and currywurst by the water’s edge, one of those simple pleasures that sticks in your memory.

Since it was a Sunday and we had time to spare, we crossed into Austria for an afternoon in Salzburg. The city felt peaceful, and we hiked up to a panoramic viewpoint, Humboldtterrasse Klausentor, that offered sweeping views of Salzburg’s spires and rooftops. It was a restful, picture-perfect day amidst our Bavarian Alps itinerary.

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Day 3: Hallstatt Day Trip

No road trip itinerary in the Bavarian Alps is complete without Hallstatt. Being told that Hallstatt was comparable to "the real-life Arendelle", we had high hopes. And it did not disappoint. Beyond its postcard-worthy charm, the standout for us was the Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour. We took the funicular up the mountain, only to fully explore the insides of Hallstatt's salty history. Sliding down the wooden miner’s slides in full gear was both educational and unexpectedly fun. Wearing the protective gear and walking (or sliding) in the miners' shoes truly made it an immersive experience. It’s the kind of experience that connects you to the town’s history while also making you laugh like a kid again. We also got to take home a small canister of salt from the mine as a souvenir each.

Feel free to watch this video for a more in-depth review of the salt mine!

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Day 4: Lake Königssee & Jennerbahn

A jewel of the Bavarian Alps, Lake Königssee felt almost otherworldly with its emerald waters framed by sheer cliffs. We took the boat ride across, then hiked to a hidden waterfall where we braved a dip in the icy lake. Cold, yes—but unforgettable. Coupled with a cold Apfelschorle at the lakeside, it made for the perfect time and space to relax and chat about our unforgettable experiences on the trip thus far. Of course, we had to grab another currywurst when we were there. While we were frolicking in the lake, we almost missed the last boat. Be careful and plan well to account for the last boat timings in your itinerary! 

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Day 5: Rossfeld Panorama Strasse & Farewell

We ended our Bavarian Alps road trip with the Rossfeld Panorama Strasse, a scenic mountain drive with endless viewpoints. It felt like a farewell gift from the Alps—rolling landscapes, crisp air, and that bittersweet sense of wrapping up a journey.

On the quiet roads where we expected to cruise and reminisce about our times together on this trip, albeit too short, we were surprised with one last core memory of the trip. While taking our own photos and videos, we stumbled upon a film crew shooting a German TV show with Aston Martins. They asked us to wave as the cars sped past, filming multiple takes. It was surreal, hilarious, and the perfect happy memory to end the trip on. When else would we have been able to share such memories?

Watch this short video for some clips of the route!

Reflections on Our Bavarian Alps Road Trip Itinerary

Looking back, what I loved most about this Bavarian Alps road trip itinerary was the balance. One day we’d be scrambling up mountains or sliding through salt mines; the next, we’d be sitting peacefully by a lake or wandering Salzburg’s quiet streets. The Alps offered adventure and serenity in equal measure.

If you’re planning your own Bavarian Alps road trip, I’d recommend:

• Active days: hike the Kofel, visit Lake Königssee, and explore the Jennerbahn trails.

• Cultural stops: take the Hallstatt Salt Mine tour and wander Salzburg.

• Scenic drives: save time for Rossfeld Panorama Strasse—it’s unforgettable.

With the right balance of activity, culture, and spontaneity, the Bavarian Alps will reward you with a trip full of unforgettable highlights.