We start where we left off last Friday: at the gates of the Hotel Klosterbräu on the way to the train station in Seefeld. On our culinary road trip in the Alps, we made it about halfway. A literal and metaphorical mountain feast, then. The next part takes us via Germany to Switzerland.
Stage 4 : From Seefeld to Schwangau
Fantastic mountain scenery and spectacular views … Can you get enough of it? Neither can we! And there’s more than enough of it on this section of the route.
For your route planning:
By train (2 changes):
- Seefeld to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Garmisch Partenkirchen to Reutte in Tyrol
- (Note: The train connections on this section are connected with many changes. Please inform yourself beforehand. The hotel will be happy to help you.
By car (about 100 kilometers)
- via B2 and B179 (or at least 2 other possibilities)
Our stopover recommendations
This route takes you through one of the most beautiful parts of the Alps. Well, you can say that about almost every part… So let’s say you’ll discover some possibilities for stopovers here. For example the Eibsee or the Zugspitze. Both are just a tiny detour away from your route.
If you feel more like hiking, you can also start a tour from Seefeld before continuing to the next restaurant. For example, we recommend the Leutascher Geisterklamm, which we have already written about here. Or you can use the day to check out the royal castles and Füssen when you get there. After all, both Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle are in close proximity. And from there, it’s just a short walk to Hotel Das Rübezahl.
5th stop: Hotel Das Rübezahl
Schwangau, Germany
We have already reported on the history of the Hotel Das Rübezahl here. So if you fancy a bit of fairytale atmosphere and want to learn more about the hotel, hop over there. For now, we’ll talk about the very special cuisine that awaits you in the hotel with a view of the castle.
Chamois & Gloria
The name of one of the two hotel restaurants definitely says it all. In the face of Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll be served things you’ve never eaten before. Or have you ever had the pleasure of “mountain pine dashi kisses Allgäu chamois ham” or “alpine herbs meet whitefish sashimi”?
Alpine Fusion is the name of the cuisine. It combines the ingredients and products of the rugged Alps with fine flavors from around the world. The result is a culinary experience that you will surely tell about more than once at home.
The gourmet restaurant sees itself as part of a new breed of high-class restaurants. Instead of a strict dress code and rules, there is charming service and a lot of joie de vivre. The focus is on a feel-good atmosphere.
Stage 5: From Schwangau to Balderschwang
For your route planning:
By train (1 change):
- Füssen to Kaufbeuren
- Kaufbeuren to Fischen
- From Fischen you can take the shuttle of the hotel.
By car (about 86 kilometers)
- via the A7 with various options from Oy-Mittelberg
Our stopover recommendations
While a short stay in Kaufbeuren is a good idea if you are traveling by train, there are other options for drivers. You can adjust your route so that you are not only on the highway and federal highway, but also drive “overland”. Then you can discover the Geratser waterfall, for example. Or the gorges and hiking trails around Sonthofen. In Obermaiselstein you will find the Sturmann Cave, which you can visit and discover on a guided tour. A special experience: a lantern hike to the cave with subsequent exploration of the same. A must for everyone who finds caves and the underworld of the Alps as fascinating as we do.
6th stop: HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio
Balderschwang, Germany
Slow food is good food. This is certain for the kitchen team at HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio. The hotel has a holistic approach that extends from the use of renewable energies to an extensive wellness and yoga offering and culinary delights.
Organic, Ayurveda and the region on the plate
The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio has been certified organic since 2022. But even before that, the team paid close attention to the selection of food and, as befits a sustainable hotel, focused on regionality and seasonality.
In addition, there is a special feature at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio: Ayurvedic chef XY is also in the kitchen. With him you can also learn how to cook Ayurvedic and what this “trend” is all about.
If you don’t want to wait until your next vacation, but want to get involved with Ayurveda right now, then be sure to check out our blog articles on it. There you will also find XY’s recipe for Ayurvedic breakfast waffles.
Family tradition in the Allgäu
In addition to the Ayurveda concept, you will especially feel the love for the region at the HUBERTUS. In the meantime, the third generation is running the hotel. The fourth is in the starting blocks. In an interview, Marc Traubel told us more about the special history of the hotel. And even if you are on site, he will gladly answer all your questions about the hotel or show you and other guests the “backstage area” of the hotel during the weekly house tours.
On hiking and snowshoe tours you can explore the alpine pastures around the hotel and see up close where the animal products come from and how the animals are doing. In the kitchen, chef Kristian Knölke then conjures up dreamlike creations in the tradition of Allgäu cuisine. Delicious!
Bonus stage: From Balderschwang to Saas-Fee
The last leg is quite a jump again. Therefore, we consider the whole rather as a bonus, if you have time and desire to go to Switzerland and go there also on a culinary journey.
For your route planning:
By train (3 changes):
- Fischen to Memmingen
- Memmingen to Zurich
- Zurich to Visp
- From Visp we continue by bus to Saas-Fee
By car (330 – 370 kilometers)
- Options lead via Liechtenstein and Italy or through Switzerland via Zurich and Bern. The shortest route is via the A2 and A3
Our stopover recommendations
The long distance and the countless route options ensure a large number of possible stopovers. On the shortest route, for example, lies the Liechtenstein capital Vaduz with Vaduz Castle and the Wildschloss Castle not far away. There are also various lakes along the route, sights such as the wooden bridge Reckingen and, of course, always beautiful views of the Swiss Alps.
With the train, you also have plenty of opportunities to explore new places due to the many changes. By the way, it pays off here if you travel light: Less stuff you have to lug around the cities 😉
7th stop: Waldhotel Fletschhorn
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
The Waldhotel Fletschhorn would then be the bonus stop after the bonus stage. The hotel’s restaurant is known nationwide and is adorned by a Michelin star.
Culinary highlights and good wines
The Waldhotel itself seems inconspicuous at first, but it shines with its lovely rooms, the panoramic mountain view and of course the terrific cuisine. Every day you will experience dinner highlights of the finest. The ingredients? Naturally from the region and as fresh as possible.
The kitchen team has known the producers for a long time and trusts them. So you can enjoy special quality, always accompanied by the right wine from the huge wine cellar.
Closing words
We have reached the end of the gourmet road trip through the Alps. Of course, it could be extended and completed. For example, with our other partners in Switzerland: CERVO Mountain Resort and Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, and Wartegg Castle on Lake Constance. All three fit perfectly on the route. So why not plan a complete culinary road trip through Switzerland? Would that be something for you?
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