This less frequented tour seems to be a real insider tip for those looking for peace. The tour begins in Vils. Clockwise it goes around the beautiful panoramic mountain. Once left Vils Bahnhof we head towards the Konradshütte near Vils. First it goes on a paved, then gravel road past the hut and with a moderate incline upwards. When entering the forest, the path leads over the ski slope, along the small lift up and after a few minutes on foot meets the wide forest path again. After a few hundred meters the road ends at a stream bed. On the opposite side begins a beautiful, sometimes steep ascent through a coniferous forest. You quickly gain height in small serpentines, on forest floor, over roots and stones. The forest almost has something fairytale-like about it and shows itself from a different side after each crest. Shortly after a small hut, the path is a bit flatter for a moment and the mighty walls of the Karret and the Große Schlicke build up on the left-hand side. There is a short, crisp climb to the first of two larger steps below the so-called Hundsarschjoch. This is followed by a section of the path across gentle meadows. With the yoke in sight and the rugged rock faces and the summit of the Vilser Kegel always in view, you will reach the first stage destination. The Hundsarschjoch is reached at an altitude of 1647m. Where the name comes from? I am not sure ahaha The way to the summit now leads up in about half an hour on a path overgrown with mountain pines. Sometimes there are steep, high steps in the way, sometimes the mountain path is almost reminiscent of a mountain trail. The summit cross is getting closer and closer. Once at the top, the fantastic view of the Ostallgäu opens up. Hopfensee, Forggensee, Füssen and the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. In the back the Great Schlicke, Tegelberg and Füssener Jöchle. We enjoy this beautiful view. AFter that we start the descent to Hundsarschjoch that follows the same route. From there it goes down to the right. Mountain pines, a rock needle and the imposing western walls of the cone characterize the landscape. After many small hairpin bends you finally reach the bottom of the valley and the Vilser Alpe (we could think depending on our timing to have a short break here). Then we follow the road over the Alpstrudel waterfall into the valley.

Here starts the second part of the hike, much more relaxing but also very pretty and interesting. First we cross the borders and we hike back to Germany till we reach Alatsee lake. Alatsee, 35 m deep, is often called “Bleeding Lake” because of the bright pink colored layer of purple sulfur bacteria at a depth of about 15 meters. On a few days of the year, even the surface of the lake shimmers in a reddish hue. No wonder, then, that numerous legends and myths exist around the Alatsee. It is sometimes said that the Alatsee is actually much deeper than expected and that monsters live in these shallows. But it is also said that 3 enchanted women live in the water and try to lure attractive men down to them in order to be redeemed. Even today, it is said on some nights voices are heard calling for help.

On the other side, it is not a rumor that the Nazis used the lake for secret underwater experiments during World War II. Luftwaffe technicians carried out underwater tests with models of the Focke-Wulf Ta 154. For this reason, heavy iron bars and frames can still be found in the lake today. On the other hand, it is disputed whether at the end of the war the Alatsee served as a hiding place for the gold treasure of the German Reichsbank, which was brought to safety from Neuschwanstein one night. Some people are said to still be looking for that treasure.

The water of the lake flows via the Faulenbach valley through Obersee and Mittersee in the Faulenbach valley into the Lech.

After passing these last two small lakes we reach Lechfall, a natural monument that is unique in Bavarian Alps.The water masses of the Lech plunge impressively over five steps 12 meters into the depth. Below the waterfall, the river narrows and enters the Lech gorge! It is time finally to cross the bridge and reach our final destination: Füssen Christmas markets! A long beautiful day with many different and interesting landsscapes must be celebrated with a glühwein together at the markets.