By Vicky · Published Jan. 30th, 2023 · Updated Mar. 23rd, 2023
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From Missen hike along two scenic ridges with great views on easy trails, a great walk both in summer and winter snow.
Missen Ridges Loop Hike Map
Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.
Location
This hike starts from the car park in the centre of Missen, which is free. If this car park is full, you can alternatively park in the Wanderparkplatz Missen on the south side of town, costing €4 per day.
Tips
- There are two huts near the top of this hike serving food and drinks, and another couple of options by the car park where this walk starts.
- If hiking in winter snow, hiking poles* are useful as are crampon micro-spikes* in places if the route is slippery. If there’s been a lot of recent snow, snow shoes could be useful, but the path is fairly well-trodden in winter so decent hiking boots should be fine.
- For more hikes, check out our Germany Hiking Page.
Missen Ridges Loop Hiking Route
From the car park in the centre of Missen, head along the adjacent road towards the church and take the first left. Follow this road as it bends around the corner, and then take a right to reach a hiking signpost. From here, you’ll be following the signs for Alpkönigblick all the way up and along the ridge.
The track heads left and begins the gradual climb upwards, crossing a road and continuing on the other side. Soon you’ll reach a little bowl containing a couple of cute farm buildings. Opposite the buildings is a cross at a viewpoint that’s worth walking to, which takes about 2 minutes to reach.
Walking up to the Ridge
Return to the main trail and continue onwards, crossing a little stream. At the next signpost, the route heads right and into a short section of forest, and the climb becomes steeper. Make sure to stop at the bench just before the forest to check out the monoculars (binoculars with only one lens). Within the view piece, the names of the mountains you can see are cleverly marked on it.
There’s another nice bench halfway up the hill, and then soon you’re on the ridge and it’s easy walking. The route is now fairly clear as you just keep on walking along the top of the ridge. From time to time there are great views of the surrounding countryside and Alps in the distance. The other half of the time you’re walking through lovely forest.
Alpkönigblick Viewpoint
In not too long you’ll reach Alpkönigblick. There’s a large, sturdy tower here that you can walk up. There are some geology panels (in German) on the inside, and at the top there are great views all around. There’s also a useful map which names the mountains you can see.
After admiring the view from the tower, continue onwards. In just under 1 km you’ll reach a signpost, where you head right, towards the valley and the town of Diepolz. The route leads straight downwards and past a few buildings associated with the Allgäuer Bergbauernmuseum (Allgäu Mountain Farmer Museum), located in Diepolz. This museum’s open in summer from 10am-6pm every day and is pretty interesting, but all in German.
Head through the village, and follow the path on the right side of the road straight on. Continue through the car park when the road bends, down the hill a little way and then up again on the other side. You walk over a small ridge, and descend again into another little village in the next valley.
On the far side of town, you have to walk along a road for a little way, but you’ll soon reach a path heading to the right and into the forest again. This leads to another road, which you cross and walk straight through another car park. From here you climb gently again onto the second ridge.
Other Hikes in the Snow
The Second Ridge and Alpseeblick Viewpoint
This ridge is fairly open, with lots of fields and cows in summer. There are also a couple of huts here, though again only open in summer. From this ridge there are good views down the valley leading to Oberstdorf, and of the Alps surrounding that valley. At the far end the mountains reach well over 2000 metres.
Continue walking along the ridge for a couple of kilometres until you get to a signpost with many signs on it. From here, there’s a short out-and-back to Alpseeblick. It’s definitely worth visiting this viewpoint as you get a fantastic view over shimmering Alpsee Lake below.
Return from the viewpoint and continue along the track. You’ll almost immediately be at Pfarralpe Missen, a mountain hut that serves food and drinks in summer (check their website for opening times).
Hike back down to Missen
After the hut, turn left and then continue slightly to the right just after the first signpost. Zigzag downwards and soon you’ll be at the base of the valley. There are quite a few trails on the way down – it doesn’t really matter exactly which one you take as they are all quite similar and all lead to the valley.
At the bottom turn left, and you’ll soon be back at the car park where you started. There’s a brewery in town just by the car park, so head in for refreshments. This is the end of the Missen Ridge Loop Hike.
Guidebooks to explore more of Germany
For another walk in the snow, try the walk to Kenzenhütte, climb the Seekarkreuz Peak or hike up Wolfkopf Peak. Alternatively, check out our Germany Hiking Page for more great hikes nearby and for walking tours of the famous Bavarian cities.
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