Neuschwanstein

From Füssen, where we settled to stay for new year's eve 2022, Neuschwanstein was little over a 6 kilometers walk up and down the mountains. You can see where we came from on Kurt Hielscher's photo here below on the left: from behind the hill after the first lake. We decided to go for it on that last day of 2022. 

It was a nice and very quiet walk. Just after the "Lechfall", a waterfall, we could cross the Lech river. Soon, we came across a viewpoint where Kurt Hielscher made another photo (see below). After that, we were alone all the way to the castle, except for the final kilometer when tourists popped-up from everywhere. 

The castle dates back to the second half of the 19th century on behalf of King Ludwig or Louis II of Bavaria. Construction works were immediately stopped when Ludwig died in 1886. The construction started in 1869 and Ludwig wanted to build a medieval knight's castle. Initially the castle was intended for private living by Ludwig, who was later declared insane, but it was opened to the public six weeks after his death. With around 1.3 million visitors per year, it is one of the most popular attractions of Germany.

Neuschwanstein as seen from the close by "Aussichtspunkt" in its surroundings.

The main entrance.

Anyway, it was a good way for us to end the year, with the four of us with a nice stroll to the legendary castle.

Close to the castle, we noticed a sign noting that the Marienbrücke was closed due to maintenance work. This meant that I could not go to the place way up the mountain from where Kurt Hielscher made his photo I wasn't sure I would have made it anyway, because I was starting to feel my legs already and I would have been exhausted even before new year's eve started, let alone I would have survived it in the end. 

On our way to Neuschwanstein, we passed the Schloss Hohenschwangau. After that it was still a 40 minute walk.

Walking from Füssen to Neuschwanstein, which you already can see in the distance.

Lechtal & Füssen

This photo from the Lechtal near Füssen has something ominous, but Kurt Hielscher noted in his book "After a thunder-storm", so nature became more friendly to him when he went from probably here to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle by foot like us.

Just after the Lechfall, we could cross the Lech river. Soon, we came across this viewpoint where Kurt Hielscher made his photo. After that, we were alone all the way except for the final kilometer when tourists popped-up from everywhere.

The two nights before we stayed at Camping Hopfensee near Füssen where we had some beautiful weather. We took it very easy checking out the lake and enjoying the facilities of the campsite after a few days of travelling and visiting for example Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve in the city of Füssen and found a Hotel where we could park the van and use its toilets and showers.

After our visit to Nueschwanstein, we took the bus to Füssen to spend new years eve, and in the middle of the night we walked back to the hotel to sleep in the van. 

One of the few photos I made at night in Füssen.

Morning stroll at the Hopfensee near Füssen and chilling at the campsite.

Below: View on Neuschwanstein.