Dogs on a hut to hut hike in Germany

Did someone say hut to hut hiking with your dog??!?!?

Most alpine huts do not accept dogs - except outside, which is not possible in our family life. Our dogs sleep with us and are part of the family.

This 2-3 day hut to hut (plus a dog-friendly hotel in valley) near Oberstdorf, Germany has lakes, steep elevation, mountain huts for lunches and views, views, views.

And even better, the descent from the high mountain trail was on a mountain scooter that was 7 euros to rent. The last 5 miles downhill from Oytal was on a scooter (my knees loved that)!

Lesser Known Allgauer Alps in Germany

Nobody talks that much about the Allgauer - and it’s totally underrated.

This trail is not popular at all!

I booked this one myself about 2 weeks before we went, however it was during covid times and it was easier to book everything.

Including paragliding.

Download the app Komoot - and I’ve laid down GPS tracks you can follow, bus directions, and huts you should consider.

Remember: Drinks and lunches are NOT included.

Day 0: Get to Oberstdorf Germany - spend the night and enjoy this scenic mountain village

Very cool understated village in the Bavarian Alps.

If you look on Komoot you can see my million photos of the trek.

Watch my video of the valley floor.

Day 1: Oberstdorf village to Mountain Hostel

3 hours, 7.26 miles, up 750 ft, down 1100 ft.

We arrived a bit late after work and found a place to park the car at the Explorer hotel. Parking is tight in Oberstdorf (like most of Alps). We got dinner in the cutsey village and then walked to the mountain hostel where we knew we could bring our goldendoodle Ruby.

Lake Christlesse

There was a beautiful lake with a stunning hotel that I want to try next time. It’s pretty flat and would be a great dayhike for people not wanting the extreme steepness of the Allgauer.

See dates Mountain Hostel

Day 2: Mountain Hostel to Explorer Hotel Outside Oberstdorf

6 hours, 13.1 miles, up 2,725 ft, down 3,275 ft

This hike was extremely rewarding and tasty. The finale of going down the last 5 miles (or km, i cant remember) on a mountain scooter was awesome. I only ate shit once, when i almost ran into a cow with a bell on it’s neck. Ruby loved being able to sprint downhill with us.

There’s quite a lot of elevation gain here, so bring water. Going past Hofats was a highlight and the mountain cheese.

The Explorer hotels in general are dog friendly. This one had an amazing breakfast!

👉 See Dates Dog-friendly Explorer Hotel

Day 3: Extra Hike on Border of Germany/Austria

We did an extra tour using the Fellhorn gondola.

This area is stunning and the perfect ridge to see the end of the Alps and walk on a ridge that is the border between Germany and Austria.

It’s possible to stay at the hut on the top of the Nebelhorn gondola with dogs : Edmund Probst Haus

…but we were not sure we could stay 3 days (though we ended up skipping school to paraglide anyways).

➡️ GPS directions here to plan your own Allgauer Alps Hikes

👉 Don’t know how to use komoot? Read my detailed guide.

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Here’s an assortment of self guided treks that don’t require as much planning ahead as the popular Alta Via 1 and Tour du Mont Blanc.

✈️ This is my favorite kind of hiking tour! These are best accessed from Innsbruck, Austria or Munich, Germany.

• 8 days Culinary Hiking Tour: This hut-to-hut hiking tour in Austria and Switzerland offers mouthwatering food by top chefs, breathtaking scenery, a good calorie burn, and can be customized to meet any fitness and comfort level.

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• 6 Days Hut to Hut Tour: This family-friendly hiking tour in a lesser-known area of the Alps offers well-cared for trails, spectacular scenery, no crowds, and easy access from Innsbruck, with options for family-sized rooms in the huts, although it's best to avoid late-June and early September due to snow.
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• 3 Days Culinary Hiking Tour: This hut-to-hut hiking tour in one of Austria's premier hiking regions offers mouthwatering food by top chefs, breathtaking scenery, a good calorie burn, and can be customized to meet any fitness and comfort level, although it's best to avoid late-June and early September due to snow.
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• 8 Days Bike Tour Across Alps: This beginner-friendly bicycle tour across the Alps follows a historic Roman trading route, offers impressive views, and ends at Lake Garda, with the option to skip uphill passages by taking a shuttle at an additional cost, starting in Garmisch, Germany and passing through Austria and vineyards in Italy, with well-established signage and routing that makes the tour enjoyable for cyclists of all levels.
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