Dreaming of soaring peaks and cascading waterfalls… but also love the thrill of world-class theme parks and water parks? This Alps road-trip itinerary is your guide to an epic 7-day loop that combines the best of all worlds. Starting in Memmingen Germany, this journey takes you through the Alps before finishing with three full days of fun at Europa-Park and the Rulantica water park. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Overview
Alps Road-Trip Itinerary
Highlights
Day by Day Itinerary!
Day 1
Summary: Start your day in Memmingen and enjoy the scenic drive south to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Your first stop: exploring the beautiful alpine lakes of Wagenbruchsee and Barmsee. After soaking in the views, finish your day’s journey in the nearby town of Grainau.
First views of Bavarian Alps
Wanderweg am Geroldsee to Barmsee
Leave Your car at the Parking lot by the Hotel Simon Pansion it will cost 5 euros for 24 hours using EasyPark App this app is very convenient to use all around the area.
The hiking trail is easy to follow, and the trail surface is in very good condition. The roundtrip hike from the parking lot to Barmsee and back along Wagenbruchsee to Barmsee will be approximately 7 km. For a bit more of an adventure, you can choose some of the smaller trails along the first lake so you don’t have to experience the same trail both ways.
Here you’ll encounter beautiful views of the lakes with the Bavarian Alps in the background!
A walk through the fairytale village…
Grainau
After exploring the smaller and less touristic lakes, you have arrived in Grainau, a stunning small mountain village on the edge of the Bavarian Alps.
This village is less of a tourist hotspot than Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but it’s really beautiful and artistic with a river flowing through.
The river flows under the road and some of the houses. As you walk, you hear the sounds of a mountain river. It’s such a crazy experience, especially if you walk in the evening, because everything is silent and you hear the river even though you can’t see it, making it a spectacular experience.
While walking around and exploring, you will encounter a lot of beautifully painted houses with traditional drawings. It’s such a fairytale.
Rosensee and Badersee
It’s not only beautifully painted houses, a mountain river, and parks in the middle of the village that you’ll find here; Grainau has a lot more to offer.
In Grainau, you’ll find 2 beautiful small lakes and a stunning walking path through a park along the lakes. The path is short, approximately 1 km, and very well organized with some really awesome views of the lakes and the Alps.
Day 2
Summary: Take a scenic cogwheel to the top of Zugspitze, explore the highest peak of Germany, and take a walk around the beautiful Eibsee before making your way forward.
Grainau – Zugspitze cogwheel
First thing in the morning is to take the scenic train to the top of Germany. Grainau is a great place to start this journey. But before that you’ll need to buy the ticket you can do it on the Zugspitze website or at the station, the price is the same, the price changes depending on season.
Sit on the right side to see the amazing views of Eibsee from above. The Zugspitze cogwheel train from Grainau takes you on a scenic 45-minute journey to Germany’s highest mountain, winding through alpine meadows and forests, passing the picturesque Eibsee lake, and continuing through a long tunnel carved inside the mountain.
The train ends at Zugspitzplatt station, where you can switch to a short cable car ride that takes you to the summit with incredible 360° views of the Alps across four countries, and it’s included in the roundtrip price.
Zugspitze – Top of Germany
At 2,962 meters, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. One of Germany’s last glaciers is located on the Zugspitze – but the “eternal ice” on the Zugspitze is also acutely threatened by climate change.
Once at the Zugspitzplatt station, explore the area and the views around. This place is covered in snow for most of the year. You can catch some breathtaking views of nearby glaciers, eat at the traditional restaurant, and sled down a small hill for free.
Take the sunglasses! Without sunglasses, you will not enjoy being there because everything all around is covered in snow and it reflects the light, so it’s very intense for the eyes.
After exploring the Zugspitzplatt station area, jump on the cable car and go to the top to catch some amazing views of the Alps. If you don’t like to be in the clouds, it’s not worth going up on an overcast day because you will see only mist and clouds, but I suggest doing it even though it’s an overcast day because it’s a magical experience! We didn’t see the views but enjoyed the wind whistling through and being in the mist!
The magical views of Eibsee and The Alps…
Eibsee
Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany and you can’t miss it when exploring Bavaria. To experience it to the fullest, you have to take a walk around it. The path is safe for everyone with some really amazing views. The path is ~8km and one of the most beautiful hikes in the area.
To start the walk, jump off the cogwheel at the Eibsee stop on the way down or arrive by car. The parking will cost around 10 euros if you’re not a slow walker; you pay per hour for how long you stay.
Best views of the Eibsee?
If you want to get the best views of the lake and the mountains as you finish the walk, start the path on the left side of the lake.
This way, you’ll get the best views before finishing the path! Make sure to stop by Aussichtspunkt Frillensee, because it’s a really beautiful small lake with a background of thick forest and majestic mountains. It’s also a cute spot for some amazing pictures.
After a long and beautiful walk, make your way forward. For us, after Eibsee, we needed to head to Switzerland, so we made our way to Bregenz, Austria, to rest and stay the night there. To drive in Austria you’ll need a vignette!
Day 3
Summary: Along the peaks of Liechtenstein, head to one of the most hidden gems in Switzerland, Thurwasserfälle, then along the Walensee make your way to the Rhine Falls along Lake Zurich before heading back into Germany to the Black Forest.
Remember: If you’re renting a car before heading into Switzerland check vignette validity at Digitale Vignette Schweiz or Via, because it’s very expensive and valid for a whole year, it’s a big possibility that travelers before you have bought it! You can also buy a vignette at Via Portal.
Along the peaks of Liechtenstein
Shortly after entering Switzerland, you’ll see the majestic views of the Liechtenstein Alps. The road will go along the border, and you will be able to catch some really beautiful views…
Thurwasserfälle
Thurwasserfälle is a hidden gem you can’t miss if you’re nearby, it’s located in Wildhaus, the parking near the trail is free, you can park your car on the right side of Hotel Restaurant Sternen, remember to park in the white lines.
From the parking lot, it’s ~1.5 km one way to the waterfall. The trail is not circular; it’s an out-and-back trail. At the waterfall, you’ll find a beautiful boardwalk and a cave from where to catch beautiful views of the small waterfall.
Rhine Falls – Schloss Laufen entrance
On our roadtrip the most convenient place to visit Rhine Falls is Schloss Laufen, because it’s closer and easier to reach on this busy schedule.
Arrive here as early as possible and remember that on your way, there will be traffic jams in Zurich; the road in the city is also a long 70 km/h stretch.
Leave your car in the main parking. The price is small and you pay per hour when leaving. Don’t bother buying a ticket at the cash desk; find the ticket machine and buy the entrance ticket, as it will be a lot faster.
If you want to step on the island in the middle of the river you’ll need to take the shuttle boat to the other side here and from there, for an additional fee they will take you to the island. Buy online ticket in advance at Schloss laufen website.
You have to pay, only to visit the tourist path to the viewing platform, so do it first. It’s CHF 5.00 per person and is worth it; the views are stunning, and there are some really beautiful photo spots too.
After that, when the gates close, explore the area around the Rhine falls. You can cross the railway bridge to get to the other side, where the path along the river is located and there are some more beautiful viewpoints to explore.
To end the day, make your way into the Black Forest in Germany to your accommodation to explore more of Germany’s most beautiful places in the upcoming days and experience one of the best theme parks in Europe. You’ll stay in the Black Forest for the next 4 days before going back to Memmingen!
Day 4
Summary: Explore some of the most beautiful places in Black forest in one day…
Fahler waterfall
Fahler waterfall is the first stop of the day, a small but beautiful waterfall in the Black Forest, that is worth stopping by. The parking is small but free, located next to the trail.
The path is short but steep. It winds through a forest offering some really beautiful views of the surrounding area until you find the waterfall. It’s a hidden, simple Black Forest gem, and it’s likely that there won’t be a lot of people—a waterfall just to yourself.
Feldberg
Felberg is the highest peak in the Black Forest and is worth a visit, because it offers some really beautiful views of The Black Forest landscape.
Leave your car in the main parking lot, and go to the Feldbergbahn cable-car to reach the top of Felberg, you can buy tickets in advance at Feldberg-erlebnis or on the ticket machines next to the cable car.
Once on top explore the area and the tower to capture some amazing views.
If you have the time I suggest hiking to the Feldsee, you can hike around it and capture some stunning views and exciting adventures.
Triberg Waterfalls
Last stop for the day is Triberg waterfalls – one of the Germany’s highest waterfalls, plunging 163 meters over seven cascades. The walking paths are surrounded by lush forest and lively red squirrels.
Going there later in the afternoon is one of the best things you can do, because all the crowds are gone and at some point you may be the only visitor. The entry fee is EUR 8.00 per person and the opening hours are pretty long, because when it’s dark the waterfall is illuminated.
Day 5-7
The last 3 days are for fun and less driving around because we’re going to Europa-Park—one of the best Theme Parks in all of Europe. Two days are for the Theme park and 1 full day for the Waterpark (Rulantica).
Europa Park
For adults, 2 days in Europa-Park will be enough to explore the magic of this beautiful theme park and try out the best rides it has to offer.
To make sure your visit goes smoothly, download the Europa-Park & Rulantica mobile app, where you can see the real-time map, reserve your spots in the virtual lines, and explore the park. Buy your online tickets in advance at Europa Park website and reserve your parking tickets too.
As a newbie, Europa-Park was great for me. The rides are very interesting and extreme too, and you have to try them if you love theme parks and rollercoasters.
Europa park waterpark – Rulantica
Rulantica is such a dream for kids and those who love waterparks. First of all, it’s warm there. Rulantica has a really great Viking theme that will pull you in. It’s such an enjoyable experience; it doesn’t have many slides, but for kids, it’s amazing, and for parents and other adults, it will be a really relaxing and beautiful experience.
Each corner offers something beautiful and relaxing. Rulantica has the best theme I’ve ever experienced, so it’s already worth it. You can also use the Europa-Park & Rulantica mobile app here to see the queues and explore it to the fullest.
Map of the Itinerary
How To Use The Map:
Click the tab in the top left-hand corner of the map to view the layers (pins on maps with places such as swimming spots and beaches, parking, restaurants, towns, ticket offices, etc.)
You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each pinned point.
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
When on vacation, always remember: Travel and exploration are all about the joy of discovery. So, always leave room for the unexpected on your journeys and remember – Leave No Trace Principles. You never know what delightful surprises await you!
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