Introduction to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

7km (4 miles) E of Füssen, 116km (72 miles) SW of Munich

Just east of Füssen are the two "Royal Castles" of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, among the finest in Germany. Hohenschwangau, the more sedate of the two, was built by Maximilian II in 1836; Neuschwanstein was the brainchild of his son, "Mad" King Ludwig II. The extravagant Ludwig was responsible for two other architectural flights of fancy besides Neuschwanstein: Linderhof, near Oberammergau, and Herrenchiemsee, on an island in Chiemsee. Ludwig died under mysterious circumstances in 1886.

After you've fought the crowds to get into these royal castles (in summer, the lines to get in can seem endless), you can spend your remaining time hiking around the surrounding Alpine peaks and valleys for what might be some of the most memorable walks of your life. For one of the grandest panoramas in all of the Alps (in any country), hike up to the Marienbrücke (the trail is signposted), which spans the Pöllat Gorge behind Neuschwanstein Castle. If you're properly dressed and have stout boots, continue uphill from the gorge for another hour for the most splendid view possible of "Mad" King Ludwig's fantasy castle.