Fussen Off The Beaten Path

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In a way it's not really an "Off the beaten path" activity as there is a well trod path around this small lake at the base of the alps. It's just that compared to Neuschwanstein and Hohenswhangau, the number of tourists is a trickle.
I had wanted to walk around it on my previous trip but ran out of time and was uncertain just how long it would take. Had I simply noticed the sign my question would have been answered! It happens to be about 90 minutes around this body of water and, on the northern side there's a lovely aspect looking directly at the first of the alps.
On a clear day you might get a wonderful reflection shot but I had to make do with a reasonable one as my pictures indicate. They also reflect that it was wintry conditions although it was Easter, albeit at the earliest of its dates in March. It had snowed lightly for the previous two days and was about to dump even more that day and night and that made for a nice colour variation on the peaks. It's a fairly flat walk except for a minor hill near Hohenswhangau but it's definitely not suited to wheelchairs and can get a bit wet after snow, as it was for us.

We took the regular tourist path going up to Schloss Neuschwanstein. The hike took us around 45 minutes (it really varies depending on one's strides and frequency of stops to rest).

After visiting the castle, we passed by Mariahilbrucke or the hanging bridge (made of steel to withstand the weight of the tourists trying to get a good shot of the castle). And what a shot! from there, you can really have a very good and clear view of the castle, mountains and fields.

From the bridge, going back to the lowland, we took a detour and followed the path less traveled - through the woods. Just follow the graveled foot path and you won't be lost. It is a longer route, but you have the trees, birds and very few people as companions. The path ends near the edge of the lake.

I went on an Awesome hike above the Neuschwanstein Castle! It started out as a small walk to get above the castle to get some better pictures. But It turned into a really beautiful hike! After I had been walking for a half hour or so it started snowing. Then the snow gradually became a real blizzard!! I couldn't even see the trail and my foot prints in the snow were being covered almost immediately! I figured as long as I stayed on the main part of the trail I'd be ok. And I would be able to find my way back. You get beautiful views of the Bavarian Plains on this hike except when it is snowing so hard that you can't see 20 feet in front of you. I saw alot of Antelope or Deer too. This was one of my fond memories of my Europe Trip.

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the longer route back from the castle goes through the woods along the river, is very nice and not so busy as the faster way back.

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There is a fair amount of walking available from Fussen to the castle, and you can even go up the mountain and get tremendous views over the valley.

This is a picture of the Bavarian Alps that I took on my hike. A few moments after this all I could see was snow!! The blizzard was upon me!