Part II: Into the Alps
An Alpen Wedding
This entire trip was instigated by Bene, my buddy who grew up in Landsberg and now lives in Augsburg. Kim and I received an unexpected wedding invitation for August 2018 in the Bavarian Alps….sounded horrible.
Bene and Julia’s wedding would take place outside of Garmisch-Partenkirchen up on the ski slopes in a ‘Hütte’, or lodge, for a few nights. Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits along the Austrian border and hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics, still sporting the ski jumps and lodges. Rather than stay in town, we would stay in the dorms at the lodge with fellow wedding-goers and spend our time exploring the hiking trails and drinking fine beer.
![The Way Up 'Its only 30 minutes' he said...](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_389,h_518/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern.jpg)
![Tonihütte The location of the wedding was the Tonihütte above Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_243,h_145/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-25.jpg)
![Getting Ready Getting Ready](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_243,h_182/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-7.jpg)
![Mmmm Mmmm](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_243,h_183/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-5.jpg)
![Garmisch-Partenkirchen Looking down from the ski slopes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_166,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-4-1.jpg)
![Wedding Ceremony Bene and Julia with one hell of a location to get married.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-6-1.jpg)
![Bayern-10 Bayern-10](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_166,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-10.jpg)
![Congrats! Congrats!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_211,h_281/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-11.jpg)
![Bene and Julia Bene and Julia](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_185,h_139/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-15.jpg)
![Bayern-13 Bayern-13](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_185,h_138/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-13.jpg)
![The Crew The whole crew!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_232,h_281/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-20.jpg)
![Stecken (or Stack Cup) Alex and Lisa playing Stecken, a more fun and interesting alternative to beer pong.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_423,h_317/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-18-1.jpg)
![Games Games](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_209,h_157/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-17.jpg)
![Losing Losing](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_209,h_156/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-19.jpg)
![Peter, the Model Peter, the Model](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_273,h_204/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-9.jpg)
![Alex and Marie Alex and Marie](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_273,h_271/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-12.jpg)
![Evening light Evening light.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_359,h_479/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-24.jpg)
![This again... ...some things definitely dont change.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_245,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-23.jpg)
![Schnapps! Schnapps!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_138,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-22.jpg)
![Wedding Photos Wedding photo-booth goofiness](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_245,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-21.jpg)
![Beer Beer](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_237/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-16.jpg)
![Schwein Possibly the best meat I've ever eaten?](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_237/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-14.jpg)
![Kinder Many little Deutschen on hand these days.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_237/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-8.jpg)
![Celebrate! Celebrate!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_237/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-3.jpg)
![Some Things Never Change... ...drinking beer with an old buddy.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_848/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-2-1.jpg)
Congratulations to Bene and Julia again for tying the knot and putting on a great wedding. It was awesome to see so many old friends again.
Kim and I met up with the Schüler family for a hike up the Partnachklamm, a slot canyon in the Bavarian Alps, before leaving Germany and heading into Austria with Marie, Peter, and Miriam. Although we stayed only briefly in Innsbruck, it’s pretty clear that’s one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Marie studied there and took us up into some of the surrounding mountains. It’s no wonder the world’s top skiers come from Austria.
![Bayern-34 Bayern-34](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-34.jpg)
![Brotzeit Typical Bavarian lunch](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-32.jpg)
![Partnachklamm moss Partnachklamm moss](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_336,h_448/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-31.jpg)
![Partnachklamm Partnachklamm](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_156,h_208/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-33.jpg)
![Schüler Family Uschi, Peter (Miriam), Horst and Marie Schüler in the Partnachklamm](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_156,h_208/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20180812_055256-e1547391940381.jpg)
![Beauty in the Slot Beauty in the Slot](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_156,h_208/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-28.jpg)
![Glacial Slot The Schüler family took us on a hike along the Partnachklamm outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_156,h_208/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-29.jpg)
![St. of Partnachklamm St. of Partnachklamm](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_166,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-30.jpg)
![Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria. Wow.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20180812_103323-e1547391812392.jpg)
![The Schülers The Schülers](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_166,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-39.jpg)
![Views in Austria Views in Austria](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_421/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-38.jpg)
![Marie and Miriam Marie and Miriam](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_316,h_421/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-40.jpg)
![Alpen Cows Where the best milk is made!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_139,h_104/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-37.jpg)
![Innsburck Panorama Mountains outside of Innsbruck, Austria.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_493,h_104/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-36.jpg)
![The hike up The hike up](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_208/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-35.jpg)
Our travels through Austria focused on Leogang, site of a yearly World Cup downhill race, and then back into Bavaria to Berchtesgaden. Leogang was absolutely stunning and we can highly recommend the Hotel Asitzstubn, which is part hotel, part heaven. Unfortunately three things kept us from having a dream trip: first, the rental bikes were 27.5+ with XC tires despite being advertised as ‘enduro’, second Bikepark Leogang is actually only 4 trails, really, so the riding is quite limited unless you do multi-day treks to nearby resorts, and lastly, the weather. 90% of the trip was sweltering hot, but the moment we got on a bike it decided to rain rain rain rain.
While our visit to Leogang wasn’t ideal, heading into Berchtesgaden would be mindbending. Berchtesgaden is situated on the Bavaria/Austria border and was the crown jewel of the Nazi party during the Third Reich, erecting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest overlooking the city. Today, it’s mainly a tourist attraction due to it’s unreal surroundings and acting as the gateway to the Berchtesgaden National Park. Konigsee, a pristine alpine lake situated between mountains, is the main attraction with visitors crossing the lake by electric tour boats and being dropped off at hiking points, including Obersee. Berchtesgaden was our favorite, it is spectacular.
![Hotel Asitzstubn View of the Leogang Bikepark](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_192/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-41.jpg)
![Fog Riding Kim disappearing into the fog along the Panorama Trail in Leogang.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_245,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-43-1.jpg)
![Kim Riding Wet and muddy riding in Leogang](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_138,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-42.jpg)
![Moooove Moooove](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_245,h_184/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-44.jpg)
![Muddy Cleaning our bikes after a wet and wild day.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_218,h_291/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20180814_065120-e1547392237642.jpg)
![Storms moving in Storms moving in](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_192,h_144/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-46.jpg)
![Berchtesgaden View of Berchtesgaden and the Watzmann.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_192,h_143/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-48-1.jpg)
![Mount Watzmann Mount Watzmann](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_218,h_291/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-65.jpg)
![Kirchleitn Small Kapelle overlooking Berchtesgaden](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_210,h_157/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-47.jpg)
![Hiking Berchtesgaden Hiking Berchtesgaden](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_422,h_157/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-45.jpg)
![Berchtesgaden Brauhaus See how happy I am? This stairwell through the neighborhood leads to the Berchtesgaden Hofbrauhaus beer garden.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_124,h_166/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20180815_100820-e1547392202313.jpg)
![Berchtesgaden Panorama Panorama overlooking Berchtesgaden](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_508,h_166/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-49.jpg)
![Sunrise on the Lake Sunrise on the Lake](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_210,h_279/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-54.jpg)
![Beer Beer](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_209,h_279/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-64.jpg)
![Konigsee Mountains Konigsee Mountains](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_209,h_279/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-63.jpg)
![Mountain Parks Mountain Parks](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_183/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-61.jpg)
![Obersee in the National Park Obersee in the National Park](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-60.jpg)
![Truly blue Truly blue](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-56.jpg)
![Hutte in the Alps Hutte in the Alps](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_336,h_448/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-57.jpg)
![Turquoise Waters Turquoise Waters](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_228,h_303/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-58.jpg)
![Launch Point Berchtesgaden National Park docks](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_404,h_303/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-53.jpg)
![Obersee Panorama Obersee Panorama](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_161/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-51.jpg)
![Layers of Light Salzburg country](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_404,h_303/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-68.jpg)
![Cabin in the Woods Typical Bavarian style cabin in the alps.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_228,h_303/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-67.jpg)
![Salzburg Country Salzburg Country](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_77,h_103/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-70.jpg)
![Panorama of Salzburg County Panorama of Salzburg County](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_274,h_103/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-66.jpg)
![The Kimmy Kimmy](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_137,h_103/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bayern-69.jpg)
![Final Night Our final night in Landsberg and Germany with the Wolf Family.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_136,h_103/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20180817_130114-e1547392138174.jpg)
Bavaria and Austria did not disappoint, we were so happy to see Bene and Julia get married and spend some time in the mountains. I promise it won’t be 10 years again before we return. Maybe next time with skis!