10 Picture Perfect Stops on an Absolutely Alps Roadtrip

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Absolutely Alps for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back in college, I went on my very first big international trip, which consisted of a thirty-six-day road trip through Europe, visiting twelve different countries. Of all of those countries and experiences, one particular adventure distinctly stands out; white water rafting in the Alps.

Aside from the extreme adrenaline rush I got from whipping around in the sub-zero river waters, I also felt the rush of air leaving my lungs, as the Alpine scenery continuously took my breath away. Snow-capped, staggered mountains, decorated with towering dark green pine trees. Crystal clear waters rushing and rolling over fifty shades of smooth grey stones. Some people experience culture shock, but I was definitely experiencing scenic shock.

What I loved most was that since we were driving, we were able to see the breathtaking scenery as we drove all through the area, making an epic absolutely Alps adventure through three countries. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland all share the Alpine region, and are situated close enough together that you can take a picture perfect road trip through all of them in as little as two weeks! 

Renting a car is easy, or if you prefer (or aren’t able to rent), you can take the train! 

How to Rent a Car in the Alps

Depending on where you’re flying into, you should be able to rent a car from the airport, which is usually easiest as well. Some larger cities have car rental places in the downtown areas too, in case you want to hang out in the city for a few days before setting off on your road trip. Reserving a car online in advance is probably a good idea, that way you can also indicate what time you’ll be picking up and dropping off.

To rent a car you must be 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and must get a vignette. It’s usually also a good idea to request a navigation system for the car as well so you can easily input and navigate to your destinations!

Fun Fact: As of recently, drivers are required to carry a reflective safety vest in their car at all times! 

Driving Alternatives

If you’re under 21, if you don’t have a license, or if you just prefer a hassle-free method of transportation, you can still do the Picture Perfect Alps roadtrip by train! I personally love taking the train; it’s safe, easy, and virtually impossible to get lost!

The Picture Perfect Alps Roadtrip Itinerary:

1. Lake Chiemsee

After you’re done having fun in Munich, start your drive to the most scenic spots in the Alps by driving an hour and a half southeast to Lake Chiemsee. This picturesque lake is also known as the “Bavarian Sea”, and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alpine foothills! When the weather’s warm enough, you can take a dip in Lake Chiemsee’s impressively clean waters, or take a relaxing boat out along its pristine shores! Boats on lakes always make perfect pictures, just saying!

2. Hohe Tauern National Park

There’s no place better to get the perfect nature shots than a National Park, and Hohe Tauern is the largest reserve in the Alps! It spans three Austrian provinces which means you may want to reserve a full day (or two!) for hiking! 

3. Hallstatter Lake

Drive two hours east through Austria where you’ll find another beautiful lake, with a lot of cultural significance! Aside from the scenic shock of this mystical region, you’ll also get a heavy dose of awesome cultural shock when you see that the local traditional costumes called Dirndl are still part of every woman’s wardrobe! Hallstat is actually the oldest village in Austria, known for its early thriving salt trade, and can only be reached by foot or boat! You can actually take a traditional salt boat ride on the Hallstatter Lake, in a unique boat called a “Fuhren”, which once transported salt! How’s that for the perfect photo opp?

4. Tyrol Region

Heading back west, you’ll find yourself in Austria’s Tyrol region, right in the very heart of the Alps! Aside from its majestic mountains and rolling valleys, you’ll also find a quaint but popular village called Alpbach, which sits on a sunny plateau 3,000 feet above sea level. Alpbach is also referred to as the “flowering village”, so you can probably guess why it’s included as a picture-perfect stop! In fact, Alpbach has been voted as one of Europe’s most picturesque towns!

5. Partnach Gorge

Does anyone here like waterfalls? I sure do! Jump back across the border into Germany and stop at Partnach Gorge, a breathtaking area that’s filled with raging waterfalls, rapids, caverns, and water basins! Get the perfect photo of the powerful waterfalls, or the 200-foot-high iron bridge right next to them!

6. Lake Constance

The coolest part about this lake is that it borders all three Alpine countries, giving you a true absolutely Alps experience! Lake Constance also has a couple of islands, including Mainau which is the garden island (guess why it’s called that?), and Reichenau Island which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get to the islands by boat, and even cross the lake with your car by ferry. Or, for the truly adventurous, take a sightseeing flight on a Zeppelin, and relive where the first Zeppelin ever rose into the air in 1900 from that very lake!

7. Verzasca Dam

Strike your best James Bond pose in front of the iconic Verzasca Dam, which you may recognize from the movie “Goldeneye”. It’s a quick detour at Ticino and Valle Verzasca in the Lake Maggiore Region in Switzerland, but the views are sure to take your breath away! Why else would they choose to film James Bond there?

8. Black Forest

Designated as Germany’s largest nature park, the Black Forest portrays glorious landscapes and untouched valleys, complete with deep lakes, and yes! More waterfalls! Triberg Waterfall is a perfect photo spot, as well as the Feldberg mountains, and Titisee Lake! This area is literally the outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with a wide range of activities from hiking to sailing, or in the colder months, skiing! PS, can you guess where Black Forest Ham comes from?

9. Schynige Platte Mountain Train

Take a break from driving and hop on the train that rides along the classic cogwheel railroad around the Schynige Platte mountain. This region of the Alps in Switzerland is called Jungfrau, and is particularly scenic because of its diverse amount of plant species. You’ll see plenty of them as the train climbs up steep inclines to what’s known as the Alpine Garden! Train rides always make for amazing photos, especially if you’re able to open a window or stand on an observation deck!

10. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 

That’s right. Glaciers. AKA a skier and hiker paradise! Known as Europe’s largest and highest summer skiing region, and also notorious for its 250 miles of hiking trails, Matterhorn is sure to provide some frame-worthy photos! The town that rests at the foot of the mountains called Zermatt is actually car-free, but you can take the cog railway up to the top for a picture perfect view of the glaciers from the summit!

Bonus: The Golden Round Trip

Whether you’re ending or starting your absolutely Alps roadtrip in Lucerne, you’ll definitely want to spend a day there doing the Golden Round Trip. Start by taking a steamship from Lucerne to Alpnachstadt, where the world’s steepest cogwheel train will pull you 7,000 feet up to Mt. Pilatus. Then, after you’re done taking your perfect photos of the Alps from up high, ride the aerial cable car and gondola back down to Lucerne!

 Pins for your Pinterest!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Alpine Tourism Commission which is comprised of Austria, Germany and Switzerland for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.