Munich to Königssee - Chiemsee & Alpine Road

Route details

Day tour from the Bavarian capital via the Chiemgau foothills of the Alps to Königssee. The route partly follows the German Alpine Road through a varied landscape of lakes and mountains.

The Tour begins in Munich's Giesing district and initially leads through the south-eastern outskirts of the city towards the foothills of the Alps. After leaving the urban area, the route quickly gains in scenic charm as the first views of the Chiemgau Alps open up.

At Rimsting on Lake Chiemsee, you reach one of the highlights of the Tour. The Ludwigshöhe Viewpoint above the village offers a sweeping view over the Bavarian Sea with the islands of Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee as well as the mountain backdrop of the Kampenwand, Hochgern and Hochfelln. The Ratzinger Höhe, the highest point on the lake (694 m), offers additional panoramic views. The roads in this section are well developed, mostly two-lane without a central reservation, with long curves through gently rolling hills.

From the Chiemsee region, the route continues southeast towards Berchtesgadener Land. The route via Piding follows the eastern part of the German Alpine Road, which is considered Germany's oldest vacation road and runs for 484 kilometers from Lake Constance to Lake Königssee. The road quality is consistently good and the surface is mostly in good condition.

Berchtesgadener Land as a destination region offers motorcyclists the Rossfeld Scenic route as an optional extension. This toll road is Germany's highest passable Scenic route with an elevation of 1,570 meters. It is a popular motorcycle route due to the density of its bends and the good visibility of the route. The Toll for motorcycles is around 5-6 euros.

The Königssee itself can only be reached on foot; Motorcycle parking is available on the shore. The fjord-like lake, surrounded by steep rock faces, is located in the Berchtesgaden National Park and attracts around one million visitors every year.

The total distance of around 160 kilometers is designed as a day tour. Traffic can be heavier on the access roads to Königssee and Chiemsee during the peak season. The route is mostly on federal and state roads with a few winding sections in the foothills of the Alps. Technically, the Tour is also suitable for less experienced riders, but requires attention in the area of town crossings and tourist hotspots.