Camping with dog in Bavaria

Hilly landscapes, mountain peaks or crystal-clear lakes: wherever people like to go camping, there is also a place for four-legged friends. Dachshunds, St. Bernards and smart German shepherds are not only to be found in mountain huts, but are also welcome animal guests on campsites.

Travelling destinations

The meadows, forests and valleys of Bavaria stretch from the Isar to the Danube and offer the most beautiful places to hike for holidaymakers with their four-legged friends. The Bavarian Alps are among the most impressive regions in southern Germany. With the Chiemgau, Karwendel, Wetterstein mountains or the Allgäu Alps, this unique mountaineering Eldorado can be explored from the many Bavarian campsites. Take a dip in the Königssee with the impressive backdrop of the high Watzmann massif always in view. In addition to vast, lush green nature, the lake landscape in Upper Bavaria is particularly inviting. For hiking, cycling or swimming, the nearest body of water from the campsite is just a stone's throw away for people and animals: Lake Tegernsee or Lake Schliersee are just two of the sparkling clean lakes where dogs can also romp around undisturbed in the water.

The Pilsensee campsite near Seefeld is more idyllic. Visitors can enjoy their first swims in the smooth water early in the morning and relax on the sunbathing lawn on the shore. Camping Elbsee in the Allgäu focuses on wellness and water on a nature holiday and has a dog shower for the animals. If you are a good walker and want to admire the varied flora and fauna of Bavaria, you will find many paths in the Bavarian Forest, the Spessart or the romantic Steigerwald. You can discover unspoilt paths from the campsites in Bavaria with your dog.

Top tips

• Swimming with your dog is possible at many Bavarian lakes. The Spitzingsee-Tegernsee region at an altitude of 1,100 metres is particularly beautiful. Against the magnificent mountain backdrop, campers with dogs will find designated bathing beaches, for example in Rottach-Egern, where many animal lovers can relax and romp around with their four-legged friends near the Ringsee lido. While swimming is popular in summer, the area is a skiing paradise for alpinists in winter.
• A walk around Lake Schliersee offers more than just animals plenty of exercise. While the dog can sniff around along the tree adventure trail and doesn't have to be kept on a lead, hikers can discover the local tree splendour and learn lots of interesting facts about nature.

Activities and excursions

Excursions through the deep forests of the southern state up to the high alpine huts in the mountains are a great change of pace for visitors and their four-legged friends at the dog-friendly campsite in Bavaria.

Natural paradise Bavarian Forest

Just beyond the urban Bavarian towns of Straubing or Deggendorf, visitors to campsites with dogs in Bavaria will discover paths and trails leading to the region's greatest natural attraction - the Bavarian Forest. On a walk with your four-legged friend, you will cross gentle mountains, forests, beech heights and swampy forest floors. On a hike along the Steinklamm valley to the south of Spiegelau, you can experience the natural power of water. Strude holes, flowing channels or smoothing that the mighty water has left behind through erosion since the Ice Age become a challenge. Mossy rocky corners line the banks and you make your way through narrow gorges past maple and elm trees.

Hiking Upper Bavaria's mountains with your dog

Hikers and mountaineers feel at home in Upper Bavaria. If you have trained your dog well, you can climb numerous peaks from the Schachen in the Wetterstein mountains to the towering Zugspitze. Various tours lead to the highest mountain in Germany. Visitors travelling from the north-east pass through the Höllental valley. Those travelling from the south-east hike via the Reintal valley or from the west via the Austrian Schneekar. The small Schachen-Alpe can also be easily reached by bike.

Dog beaches around Lake Tegernsee

Holidaymakers who need a refreshing dip in the hot summer temperatures can jump into Lake Tegernsee with their four-legged friend. A very popular place for visitors with dogs is Gmund on the northern shore of the clear waters. The dog beach is located right by the Mangfall bridge, where the white gravel contrasts beautifully with the sky-blue lake. As if made for guests with dogs, there is a group of sculptures at the Mangfall bridge called Herr und Hund, which depicts the famous writer Thomas Mann with his four-legged friend Bauschan.

Events

Festivals in Bavaria, where dogs can join in the fun, range from hearty forest festivals to animal sporting events.

July

• Trachten-Waldfest Leonhardstoana: Against the dreamlike backdrop of Lake Tegernsee in Kreuth, visitors experience Bavarian customs up close with Schuhplattler and Goaßlschnalzer. Traditional chicken stalls, wine huts and beer bars cater for your physical well-being.

December

• International Sled Dog Race in Haidmühle: More than 120 dog teams meet for this annual sporting and animal competition in the snow-covered Bavarian Forest. The event, which is known throughout Europe, where mushers and animals compete in many disciplines, also showcases the most interesting dog breeds. It's not just huskies that run across the snow here.