48 hours in Ehrwald
As soon as you arrive in Ehrwald, Austria you see that this is not your ordinary Austrian village but a gem of a place. There is a mixture of mostly well-preserved original buildings and new ones that strike a balance between new ideas and traditional design. Many of these houses are made from timber which makes those buildings fit into nature. It does not take a lot to imagine yourself sitting inside in front of a large fireplace while the snow is falling behind a large window in the winter. Even though this might already seem like the best season to enjoy this place, it shines even more in the summer. Therefore, Con Crema recommends visiting Ehrwald in the early summer.
Traditional house with the mountains in the backyard
Hotel der grüne Baum in Ehrwald in the evening
Day One
Start your day with a short stroll through town. There are not a lot of shops, but the old centre of the village is surrounded by mountains and thus is very picturesque. While you are there, try to grab a Brezel at the small bakery for later on.
Afterwards, take the bus or your car and drive to the Eibsee. This lake sits at the bottom of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany and therefore offers great views of exactly this. As this is no insider tip anymore, there are many visitors in the summer. But you can escape the crowds by walking around the lake. An even better idea would be to rent a Stand-Up Paddle Board or bring your own. Doing so brings you away from other visitors and into the calmness, only a lake in the mountains can provide. You will paddle between small islands that invite you to explore them. Some are only a few meters wide, but on others, there are even a few trees that provide some shade if you need a break from the sun. Remember the Brezel you bought earlier that day? Make sure you bring it with you onto the SUP because now is the time to have a bite whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery. If you feel sporty that day, explore all the small branches of the lake. Otherwise, just lie back and take a little sunbath.
Coming back from the lake, check into your accommodation. If you would like to relax a bit more, you might consider the boutique Hotel der grüne Baum. This place is located right in the centre of the village and offers a good spa section with three saunas and a lot of comfortable beds and loungers to get some rest. The rooms are modern and nicely designed.
The sun is shining on the Mellow Mountain Hostel
Can you spot any cows? They are probably getting their milk ready for your breakfast.
If you do not need this kind of luxury, there is the Mellow Mountain Hostel, which is located in the direction of the train station. There you will find clean rooms of different sizes and a common area with large windows to enjoy the scenery a little more and talk about your favourite island in the Eibsee over a beer with a like-minded traveller.
There is a nice Italian restaurant called All Castagno right in the centre of the village that offers a lot of seats outside and inside. The menu checks all the boxes you would want from a good Italian restaurant: Fresh pasta, a selection of different pizzas and some fish and meat courses. As you paddled a lot today, you might want to treat yourself to a Tiramisu or a large ice cream for dessert.
Day two
The surrounding mountains are reflected in the Seebensee
Try to get up early in the morning and have some breakfast. The hostel as well as the hotel offer a breakfast option that is worth taking. The hotel offers a typical continental breakfast with everything you might expect. In the Mellow Mountain Hostel, the breakfast is vegetarian because, in the hosts’ opinion, you do not need meat to make a good breakfast. And we can only admit that they are right. The products offered are all local. You might even see one of the cows that makes the milk that goes with your cereals out of the window.
As soon as you are feeling ready to tackle the day, grab your hiking boots and make your way up a mountain. It might be a cliche, but when Con Crema visited, we could hear the mountains calling us. If you do not like to hike, you might consider taking the cable car to the Zugspitze. Those who would like to have a challenge might instead hike up there and only take the cable car back down.
Alternatively, you might want to take one of the routes towards Seebensee and Drachensee, two lakes in the mountains. There, you will find crisp water and beautiful views.
Those who would like to put their climbing skills through their paces without the need for any additional equipment will find the Klettersteig Hoher Gang very appealing. Families with kids or the elderly can simply take the easier path from the Ehrwalder Almbahn cable car station. Both options end up at Seebensee. From there, it takes less than an hour to reach the Coburger Hütte. There, you can enjoy your Bergsteiger-meal while admiring the view of the Drachensee. Maybe you even dare to dip your feet or even more in the clear water.
If you are still feeling energetic, there is an extension of the route with a challenging descent through rough boulders and gravel. Otherwise, simply take the same way back.
Back in Ehrwald, you might want to treat yourself to some well-deserved ice cream before heading home.