The Königshaus am Schachen was built by King Ludwig II and is situated in a picturesque setting in the Bavarian Alps.

Königshaus am Schachen

Mountain house in a picturesque setting

The Königshaus am Schachen was built by King Ludwig II and offers a unique blend of nature experience and royal exoticism.

The Königshaus am Schachen is a small, remote castle in the Bavarian Alps that was built by King Ludwig II. With a simple Swiss chalet-style exterior, the interior surprises with a magnificent ‘Turkish Hall’ reminiscent of the fairytale world of the Orient. The hotel is situated at an altitude of 1,866 metres in the Wetterstein mountains and offers an impressive panorama, including the Zugspitze. Ludwig II, who loved the mountains since his youth, celebrated his birth and name day here every year on August 25.

Just a few minutes' walk above the castle is a viewing pavilion with a particularly beautiful view of the Zugspitze massif. The Königshaus can only be reached on foot via a hike lasting several hours (walking time for ascent and descent 6-7 hours). Its exposed location makes it one of the most impressive vantage points in the Bavarian Alps.

The Alpine Garden below the palace is a botanical highlight and is part of the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg (botanical gardens. It was created in 1901 and, due to its alpine location, displays a unique variety of around 1,000 mountain plants from all the world's mountain ranges, from the Alps to the Himalayas. The garden is only open in the summer months (around June to early September) as it is snow-covered in winter.

The royal castles of Schachen, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2025.

Königshaus am Schachen: How to get there from Munich

Train connection: approx. 1.5 - 2 hours to Klais or Mittenwald, then by bus to Ferchensee and then a hike lasting several hours. Information at bahn.de

Car: approx. 1.5 hours to the Elmau hiking car park or the Mittenwald valley station via the A95 motorway

 

Frequently asked questions about Königshaus am Schachen

 

The Königshaus am Schachen was built by King Ludwig II and served as a mountain lodge where he could live out his love of the mountains in a picturesque setting.

The Königshaus and the mountain restaurant are located in the mountains at an altitude of over 1800 metres and can only be reached on foot via hiking trails (walking time for ascent and descent 6-7 hours).

After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the Free State of Bavaria took over the administration: the Bayerische Verwaltung der staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Seen, also known as the Bavarian Palace Administration, takes care of all matters and has set itself the goal of filling the historic buildings with life.

You can find a short film about the royal house at Schachen on the following page: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E9aXb3D87NM.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photos: Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (Maria Scherf/Veronika Freudling)
Castles in and around Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Straight out of a picture book

Schloss Neuschwanstein

King Ludwig II built his fairytale castle Neuschwanstein in order to withdraw from public life.

King Ludwig II built his fairytale castle Neuschwanstein in order to withdraw from public life. Things turned out differently.

The Nymphenburger Park in Munich photographed from above.

A jewel of the Baroque

Schloss Nymphenburg

Schloss Nymphenburg served as a summer residence for the Electors and Kings of Bavaria in the 18th century. 

Schloss Nymphenburg served as a summer residence for the Electors and Kings of Bavaria in the 18th century.  Today it is one of the largest palaces in Germany.

Herrenchiemsee Palace with the fountain and a fountain figure in the front.

The Bavarian Versailles

Schloss Herrenchiemsee

On Herreninsel in Chiemsee (lake), King Ludwig II created a second Versailles in 1878.

The Fairytale King's most magnificent building: on Herreninsel in Chiemsee (lake), King Ludwig II created a second Versailles in 1878.

Schloss Linderhof in the hinterland of Munich.

King Ludwig's favourite castle

Schloss Linderhof

Schloss Linderhof (Linderhof Palace) was Ludwig II's favourite and the place where he spent most of his time.

The perfect insight into the life of Bavaria's Fairytale King: Linderhof Palace was Ludwig II's favourite place where he spent most of his time.

View of Castle Blutenburg

The former hunting lodge

Schloss Blutenburg

The medieval castle complex in the west of Munich was first documented in 1432.

Schloss Blutenburg in the west of Munich once served as a hunting lodge and was first mentioned in a document in 1432.

Schleißheim palace complex nearby Munich photographed from above in autumn.

Guided tour for groups

Schleissheim Palace

On this tour, you will visit the baroque ‘New Palace Schleißheim’ with its magnificent gardens just outside the city gates, accompanied by an official tour guide.

On this tour, you will visit the baroque ‘New Palace Schleißheim’ with its magnificent gardens just outside the city gates, accompanied by an official tour guide.