Schwangau Information
The following text was provided by the Tourist Information Schwangau.
Contact information can be found on the end of the text.
Schwangau for families
It is easily seen from far away, an enchanted castle better than any to be found in the most beautiful book of fairytales. Schloss Neuschwanstein is the fantasy of the Bavarian storybook king Ludwig II, turned into stone. Especially for children, the imposing structure in Schwangau conjures fantastic images, and is the best place to dream of beautiful princesses and noble princes. But even in the ‘here and now’, the Allgäu holiday resort for families has lots of places to play. 120 kilometres of hiking paths and 90 kilometres of cycle paths are perfect for all age groups. From the very first cycle ride to serious sport biking, all family members will find something to their tastes. During the summer months, four very different lakes entice all water sprites into a natural water world. One of the favourite attractions for kids is without doubt the summer toboggan run at the foot of Tegelberg mountain. Every generation feels the airstreams that they make there. No less exciting are the pony stables in the Brunnen part of the village. In the winter, Schwangau turns into a glittering world of snow and ice, with romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides to feed animals in the wild. Skiing and snowboarding at day and night, lugging on two natural runs, and a prepared family toboggan run make the days pass in no time. The whole family enjoys the village atmosphere, starting with the greeting by their hosts. The smallest details are recognised and looked after, whether in a hotel, a convenient holiday apartment, or a campsite close to nature. On the many farms, the very youngest experience closeness to nature in the country. Friendships between two-legged and four-legged creatures are quickly made in barn and cowshed.
Childhood dreams come true here
In the pony stables, eight horses for training, and 17 for hire await horse fanatics young and old. One of the best ways to explore the area around Schwangau is on the back of a Haflinger or a Shetland pony. Even more comfortable: A horse-cart ride for the whole family.
At full speed into the holidays
The summer toboggan run on the Tegelberg mountain is a real family favourite in Schwangau. While the kids shoot 760 m down the mountain in safety, the parents can enjoy the sun in the licensed beer garden at the edge of the big experience play area. Trampolines, mini-motorbikes and games of dexterity turn the excursion to Schwangau’s home mountain into a perfect experience.
Summer family fun
Hiking, cycling, inline skating, and above all swimming – those are the perfect ingredients for a family holiday in Schwangau. Well signposted walking and hiking routes, 90 km of cycling routes, and 40 km of Nordic walking provide the outlets to satisfy every generation’s need for activity. The gentle routes lead past scented hayfields, peaceful cows, and to real destinations
suitable for pushchairs. Active children can easily be persuaded to go on the next mountain hike with a trip to a mountain hut in Bleckenau, at the Drehhütte, or to the Jägerhütte – real experiences with four-legged friends await there. And grandpa and grandchild have nothing against a 2 horsepower excursion. The bandwidth of natural experiences goes, however, much further, and equally includes the natural beauty of the Pöllat gorge, and the themed path to the Schutzengel monument – or the Ahorn (maple) bridle path, or the nearby forest experience centre.
Family winter paradise
“Clear the ring!” is the call at the Wintersport Arena on the Tegelberg mountain in Schwangau. This is where tomorrow’s ski aces make their first contact with snow, beginners and advanced students use the perfectly prepared pistes, and everyone feels that they are in good hands. For carving and snowboarding, the two local ski schools give the starting help needed, and it is easy to stay on track with the 32 km cross-country ski trails certified by the DSV (German Ski Federation).
Even after night has fallen, the winter sport day in Schwangau is far from being over. Night skiing is in the spotlight at the Adler and Reith lifts for the next generation of alpine sportsmen and women. Nordic ski fans dream of their peak achievements on the illuminated trail against a regal background.
Three natural lakes, the Schwansee and Alpsee at the feet of the castles, and the Bannwaldsee promise romance in white when skating. Quite different snow gear is required on two natural toboggan runs, on the family run on the Tegelberg, and on the natural run on the Buchenberg.
Holidays with a programme
In Schwangau, school holidays mean adapting to a new reckoning of time. A wonderful timetable, varied and full of imagination – we are talking about the summer holiday programme. Boys and girls participate in the most varied activities, under professional guidance. During the guided family trip to Hohenschwangau castle, the parents are also present. But when it comes to visiting a farm or to the kitchen of a professional chef, then the kids want to be on their own again. The holiday programme for children and young people accompanies family holidays, with up to six events per week.
Mountain Sport Centre Tegelberg
Situated at the foot of the mountain “Tegelberg a new mountain sport centre, locally unique in construction and concept, offers various possibilities for climbers. The gradual construction encloses beside an information and training centre with a special exercising rock a via ferrata nature trail for families. This can be reached after a short climb of about 30 minutes on approx. 1200 metres. For ambitious sport climbers more demanding routes are available in the steep cliff faces. The new sport centre is also reckoned as a base for therapeutic and educational programmes, as teambuilding, management training or youth work.
Schwangau, the village of royal castles
Schwangau, the village of the royal palaces of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, is situated in a picturesque spot in the Allgäu where the German Alpine Road and the Romantic Road cross. Schwangau charms visitors with its four lakes, the gentle landscape of the Alpine foothills and the mountainous uplands. Beyond the world-famous castles Schwangau offers many exciting possibilities for an interesting holiday trip. The small village has something to offer for everybody´s taste: a journey with the cable car up to the mountain Tegelberg (1,720 m) in order to enjoy the panoramic alpine-view, excursions into the nature reserve of the Ammergebirge (Ammer Mountains) or boat cruising or sailing and swimming in one of the lakes. Traditional Bavarian music belongs to it just as well as Bavarian cuisine and chummy evenings in cozy cabins. For nine days in September high-caliber concerts take place in the picturesque Singer´s Hall of Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle with its festive illuminations then awaits its art-loving visitors from all parts of the word. The climax of the Schwangau year of local customs is the traditional Colomans Festival with its parade of horses in October. For winter sportsmen the “Wintersport-Arena Tegelberg” (winter sport centre) and the nordic active cross country skiing centre of the German ski federation is just the right thing! Afterwards the “Königliche Kristall-Therme” (Royal Crystal Spa) invites to relaxation and well-being with a view of the impressive backdrop of the Alps. Schwangau is the perfect starting point for trips to Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau, the Wieskirche (famous rococo church) or the mountain “Zugspitze”.
Summer activities in Schwangau
Activity time in the village of the king’s castles Gentle green hills, flower strewn meadows, deep blue lakes, glittering Alpine peaks. What sounds like a film set is the most beautiful reality in the pure
nature around Schwangau in the Allgäu. As soon as the sun has driven away the last remains of snow, a whole range of free-time summer activities awaits visitors to the village of the king’s castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. It makes no difference whether you are a nature lover or an ambitious amateur sportsman, everyone finds what he is looking for in the spa resort of Schwangau. Hikers and Nordic walking fans take to 120 km of excellently signposted routes at different altitudes. For cycling, 90 km of routes are available to suit the tourist or the keen cyclist. Nordic walkers can get their sticks out on 40 kilometers of route. If you want to save yourself the climb of the Tegelberg, Schwangau’s home mountain, you can take the mountain railway and enjoy the marvellous view of the Allgäu, Tyrolese and Ammergau Alps at an altitude of 1730 m. When you get back down, there is a summer toboggan track for a serpentine run. Anyone who trusts to the four natural lakes of the area will keep a cool head on hot summer days. On the other hand, you will be completely uplifted, and free as a bird in Schwangau as a renowned paragliding and hang-glider area.
New Mountain Sport Centre Tegelberg
Situated at the foot of the mountain Tegelberg a new mountain sport centre,
locally unique in construction and concept, offers various possibilities for climbers. The gradual construction encloses beside an information and training centre with a special exercising rock a via ferrata nature trail for families. For ambitious sport climbers more demanding routes are available in the steep cliff faces. The new sport centre is also reckoned as a base for therapeutic and educational programmes, as teambuilding, management training or youth work.
On foot through a land of fairytales
The location is unique, not only because of the two king’s castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Here the Allgäu Alps rise suddenly from a broad plain. This has the advantage of gentle walks on the level, through
to extended day trips, and even to alpine mountaineering and climbing. The excellently signposted network of hiking paths takes you not only to unique natural highlights such as the Pöllat Gorge at the foot of euschwanstein
castle, but also through the two Schwangau nature reserves. Whether alone, with the family, friends, or in a guided group, the 560 hectare reserve on the Bannwaldsee lake, and Germany’s largest alpine nature reserve, the Ammergebirge mountains impress through their wide range of flora and fauna. Not without reason was the beloved fairytale king Ludwig II so infatuated with this part of the country. While en route, numerous country inns and comfortable alpine huts invite you to enter. One of them is the former hunting lodge of King Maximilian II of Bavaria.
In Schwangau, Nordic walking fans will find five fabulous routes, from easy to hard, which lead through picturesque landscapes and past typical Allgäu scattered settlements. Under way on various types of wheels Cycling in Schwangau is a unique pleasure. Countless cycle paths lead to rewarding destinations. Touring cyclists particularly appreciate the routes on the level around Forggensee Lake or along a disused railway line. Mountain
bikers are attracted to Bleckenau, the former hunting lodge of King Ludwig II, which lies directly behind Neuschwanstein castle. Just like the cyclists, the inline skaters also profit from many asphalted cycling routes. Just to glide effortlessly along the lake shore is the best way to put the everyday world behind you, and to enjoy the landscape so generously endowed by nature. The level asphalted stretches are a blessing especially for people with a handicap, because they allow a barrier-free and therefore uninhibited holiday. Water fun in all its facets fabulous lakes, pure reinvigoration, and bathing fun for young and old are guaranteed, as are first class waters. What can be better on a hot summer day than to dare to leap boldly into one of the four Schwangau lakes? Under the magnificent backdrop of the Allgäu and Tyrolese Alps, the Alpsee, Schwansee, Bannwaldsee and Forggensee lakes invite you to unlimited bathing pleasure. If you prefer to keep your feet dry out on the
lake, we suggest the pedalos and rowing boats. There is even an excursion ship which picks up passengers in Schwangau and brings them in comfort on a panoramic cruise past surfers and sailors, across the largest lake in the Allgäu region.
Looking for adventure?
If you have lust for an adventure, we suggest para-gliding or hang gliding.
The local schools offer regular courses. For beginners, a tandem flight with an experienced pilot is just the right thing. Who can otherwise claim for himself that he has gently glided from Tegelberg mountain down to the valley in sight of the king’s castles?
Enjoy yourself!
Even when the most different things are combined together, the wide choice in Schwangau covers almost all interests. Cultural highlights range from a down to-earth local evening with Allgäu hospitality to the outstanding autum concerts in Neuschwanstein castle. The cultural wealth of the region seems like a walk through history. From the Roman villa at the foot of Tegelberg mountain, via the inhospitable conditions of life in feudal towns in the region, to the regal ambiance of the Wittelsbach dynasty – it is all within a stone’s throw. By the way, the nearest golf club with panoramic views to the castles is only a few minutes away by car.
Winter in Schwangau
All Shades of White: The Winter Wonderland around the King’s Castles
Sports-minded winter holiday makers who love the crisp, cold season are equally enchanted as people with a keen interest in history. The Bavarian village of Schwangau caters to many tastes. From the wide plain that slowly rises towards the alps, from along the winter hiking trails, the cross-country ski trails certified by the German Ski Association (DSV) as well as along the 4.2 kilometre downhill ski run you time and again get new, breathtaking views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the famous castles of King Ludwig II.
The leisurely ambience around the rural little town of Schwangau, the glittering ice surfaces of the numerous frozen lakes and the DSV ‘s Nordic skiing centre provide ample opportunities for exercising body, mind and soul. And activities don’t stop at sundown. Downhill fans ski on the slopes of the floodlit winter sports arena at the foot of the castles while Nordic skiers and skaters circle the illuminated two-kilometre Neuschwanstein track where the view alone takes your breath and the snow’s always perfect, thanks to the automatic snowing system.
Recuperation is in the air in this resort town with its healthy climate, especially in winter. Long walks on well-blazed trails, sledding with the kids down three natural slopes and one specially prepared family run. Virgin snowshoe trails and relaxing winter hikes let the stress of daily routine just melt away. A stone’s throw farther on Schwangau pools its assets with its neighbours in Allgäu and Tyrol in the Skiverbund Vitales Land – the “Healthy Country Ski Union.”
During the past years the Tegelberg winter sports arena has developed into a sure-snow area for beginners and advanced skiers. If you’re jetting down the 4.2 kilometre Tegelberg run or just mastering your first metres at the Adler, Falken or Reith Lift slopes: All the sure-snow runs are safely illuminated during the evening hours. At Schwangau’s second skiing area at Buchenberg (“Beech Mountain”) the double chairlift takes you to the top where you can ski, snow-surf and toboggan while enjoying the panoramic view. Crossing frontiers on skis has a long tradition between the German Allgäu and Austrian Tyrol boarders, carvers and newcomers on skis can freely commute between all circuses of the Vitales Land.
The people of Schwangau are becoming used to getting astonished looks: Things you would only expect at the Nordic Skiing World Championship village of Oberstdorf are meanwhile also available at the village of royal castles: The official Nordic Skiing Cross-Country Site with 32 kilometres of prepared trails of every category, from beginners’ to championship. The GPS-surveyed trail markings let you find your way in classic as well as free-style.
Winter Vantage Points:
There are countless viewpoints along the Winter Hiking Network, so we’ll name just the most spectacular ones: The 1.800 metre peak of the Tegelberg, where hang glider and parachute pilots congregate, commands a view reaching from Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, to the lake district of Eastern Allgäu. A couple of kilometres away at the top of the Buchenberg winter holiday-makers, snowshoe and alpine tour skiers enjoy the panoramic views of countless alpine peaks.
There are lots of ways to spend a romantic afternoon in Schwangau: Take a two-horsepower coach ride through King Ludwig’s dreamland, passing the baroque pilgrimage church of St. Coloman’s. Or get close up with nature and watch the feeding of the animals at the deer park or indulge in the warm, soothing wellness worlds of the Royal Crystal Thermal Baths (“Königliche Kristalltherme”). Between jewel grotto, seven motif saunas, steam baths and wellness applications your eye will always wander up to the royal abode of Neuschwanstein and the family castle of Hohenschwangau.
Cultural Schwangau
Culture in all its facets - delectation in the village of the king’s castles
Lovers of historical art treasures, enthusiasts of classical concert and top quality music, those who enjoy customs and traditions – all will strike gold in Schwangau im Allgäu. As varied as culture itself, what is on offer in the vivacious holiday resort at the foot of the Allgäu and Ammergau Alps is equally broad in scope. The unmistakable landmarks, the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, give the one time home of King Ludwig II a truly fairytale character. The splendid Sängersaal (singer’s hall) of his world-famous castle has for many years formed an incomparable setting for the Neuschwanstein Castle concerts. In parallel with this, the people of Schwangau practice their customs and traditions throughout the year. In the midst of nature created from lakes, mountains, meadows, and woods, traditional costumes and music, and colourful festivals are an integral part. The high point of the customs during the Schwangau year is the traditional Colomansfest with its equine procession on the second Sunday in October. Here in the baroque pilgrimage church located in open fields, the Alpine Mariensingen (choral music in praise of the Virgin Mary) is an honoured tradition.
Even the Romans left traces in Schwangau. This is witnessed by the Via Claudia which led from Venice via Füssen to Augsburg, and also by the ruins of ancient Roman baths at the foot of Tegelberg mountain.
In between a wonder of the world and soil steeped in history
The king’s castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are a magical centre of attraction for millions of visitors from all over the world. The dreams of the Bavarian fairytale king have been turned into stone, and with innumerable out-of-this-world embellishments and adornments, they transport visitors to the enchantment of times long past. The Schwangau churches of St. Maria and Florian, St. Georg and St. Coloman are expressive Christian baroque places of peace and reflection. The place itself surprises with endearing original details. Typical village
fountains, colourful farm gardens, and solid farm buildings mirror the varied history of the styles of Allgäu, Upper Bavaria, and Engadin.
Musical pleasure on a royal scale
The Sängersaal (singer’s hall) of Schwangau Castle is the showplace for the now world-famous Neuschwanstein castle concerts. Its builder, Ludwig II, never had a chance to experience a musical presentation there. Today, the Neuschwanstein castle concerts are well known to lovers of classical music. Every September, visitors from all over the world travel expressly to the series of high class concerts, which have top conductors, orchestras, and soloists. The Fürstensaal concerts in the beautiful baroque Prince’s Room of the former cloister in neighbouring Füssen, the church concerts in the Pfaffenwinkel region, and last but not least the musical summer of the Wieskirche church round out the musical delectations of the region.
Colourful customs
Customs and traditions are part of Schwangau in the same way as the lakes and the mountains. The origins of the Colomansfest with its much-loved parade of around 200 horsemen and women on their beautifully decorated horses goes back to the 16th century. During the Viehscheid (sorting of the cows) in September, the end of the Alpine summer is celebrated sociably when the Allgäu brown cows are herded down from the alpine pastures. The traditional festivals run like a golden (or should we say multicoloured?) thread throughout the year. The dirndl, lederhose, gamsbart (traditional decoration for men’s hats) and historical costume are a must and are worn with pride when setting up the maypole, at village theatres, blowing the alpenhorn by a mountain lake, at the many summer festivals, at Alpine Advent singing, and at brass band concerts.
On tour
Pfaffenwinkel, the Romantic Road, historical towns - Schwangau is the ideal starting point for varied excursions into the local area. Whether to the World Heritage Site of Wieskirche, Linderhof (the third of Ludwig’s castles) with its famous dumb waiter “Tischlein-Deck-Dich”, the former Roman town of Kempten, the close-by Lake Constance, the regional capital Munich, or to the “Goldenes Dachl” in Innsbruck – within a one hour radius, here there is something for everyone. (3.686)
Wellness in Schwangau
Wellness time in the village of the king’s castles
Do nothing, relax, enjoy, be pampered – and all that in one of the most beautiful parts of Germany. Nature intact, consisting of lakes, pastures, woods, and mountains, creates the ideal conditions for a varied wellness and health holiday. And finally, the village spoilt by nature which lies at the feet of the world famous king’s castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau can look back on a long tradition in matters of health. As well as the necessary medical skills, the spa with its outstanding pre-alpine climate is a winner because of the excellent quality of its water, whether from the public supply or in lakes and rivers. The magnificent landscape continually invites to activity in the pure air, whether on foot, by bicycle, or cross-country skiing. Anyone longing for relaxation will find exactly what they are looking for in the wellness hotels in Schwangau or in the Royal Kristall-Therme spa. Recognised treatments from the wide range of wellness pleasures drive away the stress and rush of our everyday lives. Prevention and rehabilitation are also taken very seriously in Schwangau. Outstanding medical and therapeutic equipment, highly skilled personnel, and immaculate spa equipment are the guarantee of success for a classical spa treatment. If wellness is not enough for you, and spa treatment is too much, medical wellness will provide the way to ongoing wellbeing. The top-rated spa treatment benefits are combined with selected prevention and wellness applications into packages which are effective through into everyday life.
Wellness dreams in Schwangau
Exotic massages, oriental baths, alpine wellness applications - the Schwangau wellness hotels spoil you with exclusive wellbeing programmes. With atmospheric surroundings and fresh healthy cuisine, the hotels ensure a dream holiday of complete enjoyment and relaxation. At any time of year, the wonderful landscape with its natural lakes in their many moods, the majestic mountains, and flower-bedecked or snow-covered meadows invite you to give your soul free rein, and to be active in the outstandingly pure air.
Majestic spa pleasure – the king’s crystal spring at Schwangau
The Bavarian fairytale king, Ludwig II, would have taken his pleasure there. Directly visible from his castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the king’s crystal spring sparkles with a splendour which the much-loved fairytale king would certainly have imagined in his dreams of bathing. Fifteen tons of precious and semi-precious stones, four natural mineral springs, and seven differently themed saunas offer the best in spa culture. The health spring combines medical efficacy with the highest standards in contemporary wellness. Under the generous roof of the crystal spring, natural mineral healing waters for the stressed musculoskeletal system combine in perfect harmony with the wellbeing oasis of an Ottoman hammam and an ice grotto shrouded in multicoloured mist. Just adjacent in the open air area, a 12% brine external pool awaits, not only with healing water at the perfect temperature, but also with the most beautiful perspective of the castles. Devotees of the Finnish perspiration practice enjoy the same magnificent view. The wellness and massage centre spoils you with soothing massage techniques from all over the world, and selected beauty applications for Madam and Sir.
Feeling good with a medical background
Medical wellness is more than a mere trend or marketing argument. The emphasis lies primarily in the promotion of health. The combination of top quality elements of wellness and special treatments of classical standard medicine lends the treatments in Schwangau an excellent preventative character.
The classic – spa courses in Schwangau
A classical spa course, whether as an external or internal patient, is one of the best possibilities of doing something to maintain or restore your personal health. In Schwangau, spa treatments have a long tradition. The bracing pre-alpine climate of the top-rated spa treatment location is highly effective therapeutically, and then there is the unique landscape and scenery in addition. Outstanding medical and therapeutic equipment, professional personnel, and corresponding spa equipment are the most important components of a successful spa treatment. Schwangau’s range of free time and cultural activities ensures variety and entertainment throughout the whole of your stay at the spa. There are 120 km of well signposted walking and hiking routes, 90 km of cycle routes, 40 km of Nordic walking routes, and 32 km of cross-country ski trails certified by the DSV (German Ski Federation), so it is easy to keep active, and to charge up the necessary energy for everyday life. The lakes of Alpsee, Schwansee, Bannwaldsee and Forggensee are the quiet, natural energy sources around Schwangau , and they do that little bit extra towards stress reduction. (4.937)
For further information please visit our press area at www.schwangau.de/presse.
Contact:
Tourist Information Schwangau
Ilona Kullak
Münchener Str. 2
87645 Schwangau
Phone: + 49 (0)8362/8198-0, Fax: + 49 (0)8362/8198-25
ilona.kullak@schwangau.bayern.de
