Hike Three Castles Loop Füssen

Fairy-Tale Scenery, Stunning Views and Royal History

The Three Castles Loop packs a lot into its 14 kilometres, royal history, glittering alpine lakes, a roaring waterfall and sweeping views of the Alps. Connecting three of Bavaria's most iconic castles, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and the Hohes Schloss in Füssen. This is one of the most rewarding day hikes the Allgäu has to offer, and it's accessible enough for families with kids.

Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein & the Royal Lakes

Starting from the car parks in Hohenschwangau (P1–P4), a paved road winds uphill towards Neuschwanstein Castle, perched dramatically on a sheer rocky cliff. Before you even reach the castle, the views already open up, sweeping panoramas over the Forggensee and the Alpine foothills below. The real showstopper is the Marienbrücke, where the castle towers above you and the Pöllat river drops away as a waterfall deep into the gorge. It's the kind of view that stops you in your tracks.

On the way down, the trail passes through the peaceful Schwansee Park, a classic English landscape garden that King Maximilian II had laid out for his family, before arriving at the crystal-clear Alpsee. This is where a young Ludwig II once found himself at the receiving end of a surprise open-air concert orchestrated by Richard Wagner. Just steps away, Hohenschwangau Castle glows warmly in the sun, less theatrical than Neuschwanstein, but the royal family's true home. A guided tour fits easily into the hike (book tickets online in advance).

The Alpenrosenweg, Lechfall & Füssen Old Town

From Hohenschwangau, the Alpenrosenweg, a gentle ridgeline path with gorgeous Alpine views, originally laid out for Queen Marie, leads towards Ziegelwies. Here, the Maxsteg bridge takes you directly over the Lechfall, where the river squeezes through a narrow gorge in a rush of white water. From there, the pretty Faulenbachgässchen path follows the Lech into Füssen Old Town, with its Gothic townhouses and Baroque churches, and up to the Hohes Schloss, the third castle on the loop, once the summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg.

Kalvarienberg & Schwansee

From the old town, the route crosses the Lech bridge and climbs to the Kalvarienberg. A shaded forest path lined with 14 neo-Gothic Stations of the Cross leads up to a viewing platform at 953 metres, a spot that Ludwig II himself was said to visit often. The panorama up top is genuinely breathtaking: the castles, the lakes, the full sweep of the Alps laid out before you.

The descent brings you down to the Schwansee, a quietly beautiful lake with Neuschwanstein reflected in its still waters, and in summer, an irresistible spot for a swim. The lakeside path then leads back to the starting point in Hohenschwangau, closing the loop.

There are plenty of good spots to stop and refuel along the way. Right at the start, around Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, you'll find a handful of traditional inns and cafés, ideal for grabbing a coffee or a quick bite before heading out.

About halfway round, Füssen Old Town is the perfect place for a longer lunch break. There are cafés, Bavarian inns and ice cream shops dotted throughout the old town streets, including right below the Hohes Schloss, a pretty spot to sit down and take it all in before tackling the climb up to Kalvarienberg.

If you'd rather hold off until later, there are also places to stop near the Schwansee and on the way back into Hohenschwangau. In summer, it's well worth timing your break around a swim in the Schwansee or Alpsee, both lakes sit right on the route and are hard to walk past on a warm day.

• Neuschwanstein Castle: best seen from the Marienbrücke; the Pöllat Gorge makes a great optional detour
• Alpsee: where Wagner once staged a surprise open-air concert for King Ludwig II
• Hohenschwangau Castle: the royal family's true home and favourite retreat
• Alpenrosenweg: a gentle ridgeline path with sweeping Alpine views, originally laid out for Queen Marie
• Lechfall & Maxsteg: a dramatic waterfall crossed via a bridge right on the route
• Hohes Schloss Füssen: a Gothic hilltop castle at the heart of Füssen's historic old town
• Kalvarienberg (953 m): 14 neo-Gothic Stations of the Cross and a panorama taking in the castles and the Alps
• Schwansee: a peaceful finale with Neuschwanstein reflected in the water, and a swimming spot to boot

If you're up for a short detour, the Pöllat Gorge directly beneath Neuschwanstein is well worth the extra steps, a narrow, dramatic canyon that's not officially part of the route but easily one of its highlights. Just be aware that the gorge has been closed at times due to safety works, so it's worth checking locally before you head in.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you're short on time or energy, you can skip the Alpenrosenweg and take the Königssträßle path straight back to Füssen instead.

Dress for the weather, wear proper hiking boots and consider bringing trekking poles. Pack enough water, some snacks and a basic first aid kit – and you're good to go.