showers and double rooms.
All the base towns in this guidebook, along with many other towns along the alpine fringe, are Kurorte (spa or health resorts). All visitors staying in such towns are required to pay a visitor’s tax. This daily surcharge is paid to your host on top of your accommodation costs, and is used to provide and maintain the various amenities offered by the resorts. All guests receive a Kurkarte or Gästekarte (visitor’s card) which entitles them to various reductions on local attractions and free use of town buses.
Local tourist offices (contact details are given at the start of base town descriptions) are the best bet for information on accommodation in a specific area. It is often possible to book accommodation via their websites or by phone. For Bavaria as a whole, try www.tiscover.com. Refer also to the comments under the categories listed below.
Campsites
There are numerous campsites scattered throughout the region. Standards are high and you can usually expect facilities for camper vans (mobile homes) or caravans, an attached restaurant and small shop for daily necessities. The local tourist office in your base town will be able to provide addresses of those in the vicinity. Try also www.eurocampings.co.uk. Note Wild camping is forbidden in Germany.
Youth hostels
German youth hostels (Jugendherberge) are open to anyone holding a current membership card. The German network is affiliated with Youth Hostelling International. For more information and a listing of sites in Bavaria and Germany, visit www.jugendherberge.de or contact DJH Service GmbH, Leonardo-da-Vinci-Weg 1, D-32760 Detmold, Germany. Information is also available from the international site www.hihostels.com.
Bed and breakfast, guesthouses
Known in Germany as Gasthöfe, Gästehäuser, Pensionen or Privatzimmer, the range and quality of the accommodation is as varied as the terminology. The common denominator, however, is that breakfast is usually included in the price of a room.
Generally speaking, a Gasthof or Gasthaus is a small, privately run hotel or inn and is usually more expensive than a Pension or Privatzimmer. The Privatzimmer are always just that: a room in a private home. They are the cheapest alternative and the local tourist offices provide lists on their websites, along with other forms of accommodation. For addresses in Munich and other towns in Germany try www.bed-and-breakfast.de or www.wimdu.co.uk.
Many German B&Bs offer reductions for stays of three days or more; some also offer reductions for children. These usually apply to children up to 12 years of age, but it is best to enquire beforehand. At some establishments there will be a surcharge for a stay of only one night.
Holiday flats
Self-catering holiday flats (Ferienwohnung) are excellent value for those who want to stay in a place for three days or longer; many landlords require a minimum of one week. This is an especially good option for families or if you are travelling in a group. Facilities vary according to price but may include a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge and separate bedrooms. Once again, the websites of local tourist offices are the best place to search for this kind of accommodation. Other websites for holiday flats in Bavaria and elsewhere in Germany include www.novasol.co.uk, www.interhome.co.uk and www.interhomeusa.com.
Holiday flats are often available in beautiful old farmhouses
Hotels and mountain inns
There is a wide range of hotel accommodation within the area. They are usually rated from one to five stars in line with international standards. Especially attractive for hikers are mountain inns, some of which are only accessible by cable car or on foot. These are mentioned (see Appendix C) if they occur on or near a route. Hotels can often be booked directly via the tourist office website of the relevant base town. Other useful websites for hotel reservations and addresses include www.hotel.de, www.hotellerie.de, www.hotelguide.de and www.booking.com.
Mountain huts
Mountain huts often have stunning locations (Rotwand Haus, Walk 44)
Mountain huts belonging to the German (DAV) or Austrian (OeAV) Alpine Clubs are open to everybody, but those who are members of either organisation are entitled to discounts of up to 50 per cent at both DAV and OeAV huts. Accommodation is also available in huts run by other organisations such as the Naturfreunde (Naturefriends) or in some privately run alm huts. These huts have similar requirements to those mentioned below, but please check with the relevant hut beforehand.
Near the start or towards the end of the walking season (June to late October) it is advisable to ring the huts in advance to see if they are open (see Appendix C).
Most Alpine Club (AV) huts provide simple meals and snacks which makes it unnecessary to carry large amounts of food. However, if you are a member it is a good idea to carry teabags or instant coffee and so on as you are entitled to Teewasser (tea-water). This is usually about a litre of hot water and the price is much more modest than that for a Haferl (mug) of tea with which non-members have to content themselves. Those with a thermos can always refill it at the hut. Another ‘privilege’ for members is the Bergsteigeressen (mountaineer’s food), which might include meat, but it is always a simple and normally warm dish. It is somewhat cheaper than the others on the menu, but is not always the best buy. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are also available.
At AV huts you can sleep in either a Matrazenlager or smaller bunkroom. The Matrazenlager is the cheapest and generally consists of a large room with mattresses placed side by side. A pillow and blanket is provided. To get a smaller bunkroom you need to ask for Betten (beds). Pillow, blankets and perhaps a warm eiderdown are provided. As these rooms usually accommodate a maximum of four people they are the better option for a good night’s sleep. Some huts even offer double rooms, the ultimate in luxury! At all AV huts, beds or mattresses may only be used with a Hüttenschlafsack (cloth sleeping bag or bag liner with a pillow envelope) which can be bought at most huts. Please note: if you do not specify Betten or Zimmerlager you will invariably end up in the Matrazenlager.
Most huts have washing facilities, even if that amounts to no more than a basin with cold running water – remember to bring your own towel. Some huts provide hot showers, but you will have to pay extra.
Other requirements: bring sufficient cash (credit/debit cards are seldom accepted) and Hüttenschuhe (slippers with a proper sole) as boots are never permitted in the sleeping areas. A head-lamp and ear-plugs can also be useful. And do not forget to sign the hut book with your name, address and telephone/mobile number. Your tour goal should also be mentioned.
Alpine Club huts are divided into three categories: Cat I – usually at least an hour’s walk away from any mechanised transport (chairlifts and so on). Cat II – can be reached by mechanical means and generally offer better facilities. The huts are usually open all year and
