Enjoy and relax in the land of colours

Narrow country roads going through green hills. Behind old deciduous trees a forest lake shimmering in the sun. On the edge of the lake a cosy beer garden with the smell of fresh pretzels. And in the background a white onion church tower in front of a jagged alpine silhouette whetting your appetite for a mountain tour. That’s the stuff holiday dreams are made of. To perfect to be true? Not so in Toelzer Land.

"Everything here is beautiful beyond description", raved the famous German composer Richard Wagner in the 19th century, when he spent his holidays in the Hochkopf alpine hut above Lake Walchen (Walchensee) – surrounded by pure nature and close to the clear blue sky. Today, 150 years later, the peaceful spot 40 miles south of Munich is still a feast for the eyes – whether you climb up to the alpine summits as high as 6,000 feet from Benediktenwand to Herzogstand, hike through the charming Loisach Valley (Loisachtal) or swim and bask in the sun at Lake Kochel (Kochelsee).

 
Only travellers passing through on the highways south are in a hurry. Experts on the region prefer a leisurely pace – on foot or with a bike – to enjoy the scenery with all senses. Because in Toelzer Land at least as important as being on the way is having a break: time for a picnic between buttercups, for a flying stop at a little church by the wayside or for a stroll through neat places such as Bad Toelz.