Castles, Cycling and Climbing in Prien am Chiemseemonkeysandmountains.com /prien-am-chiemsee

Prien am Chiemsee is f amous for Schloss Herrenchiemsee (Herrenchiemsee Palace).

It’s King Ludwig II’s largest palace and is based on the Palace of Versailles. In my opinion Neuschwanstein has nothingon Schloss Herrenchiemsee! It’s incredibly ornate, and even on its own island – don’t worry, there’s a boat so you don’thave to swim over. Schloss Herrenchiemsee is one of my favorite castles in Germany and I highly recommendchecking it out (more details coming in an upcoming post).

Seeing as how I had previously visited Schloss Herrenchiemsee on several occasions, I was eager to see what else Icould do in Prien am Chiemsee. Electronic-biking (e-biking) seemed like a great option for exploring the country side. E-bikes still require you to work, but they give you a little extra oomph. You decide how much help you want byadjusting your settings. My husband and I rented our bikes from additive bike and had a choice of two different models.

We stored our water in the specially designed additive bags, which are basically like a backpack for your bike and offwe went through the rolling country side around Prien am Chiemsee.

Several hours later we returned famished for our picnic lunch. It’s been years since I’ve had a picnic but there are somany perfect picnic spots around the lake, like the Prienavera Beach. We promised ourselves that we will do this moreoften.

Bellies full, it was off to Kletterwald (Climbing Forest). I’ve done different versions of this in Italy and in Austria, andLOVED it. It was J.P.’s first time and he was intrigued. There are a total of 13 different courses, each course havingseveral challenges. They vary in difficulty, starting from courses that are low to the ground and aimed for children asyoung as 4 years old and up. Watching 10 year olds move through the courses was like watching monkeys – they werefearless and fast moving.

Being just “slightly” older than 10, I moved somewhat slower and less gracefully. And while I consider myself to bereasonably athletic, two hours and four courses later, my arms were shaking in exhaustion. Each of the courses we didwas challenging with the Tandem Course (where you have to work with your partner) being one of our favorites. The

Climbing Forest had kicked my but AND I hadn’t even done the two toughest courses – yet I couldn’t help smiling. It wasdaunting but exhilarating to look at a challenge and think “I can’t do it” to “I’ll try” to “I’m doing it” to “I did it!”

Now that my arms have stopped shaking, I’m thinking about the two toughest courses that I have yet to conquer….andhiking the Kampenwand, the most picturesque peak around the Chiemsee – without the help of a gondola of course.

Prien am Chiemsee is only 90 km south from Munich, but we felt like we were miles away. It was the perfect getawayfrom Munich.

Know Before You Go to Prien am Chiemsee:

Prien am Chiemsee is easily reached by train or auto.

6 night packages can be arranged from 127 EU (what a great deal!). Contact Prien am Chiemsee TouristInformation for more info.

Reserve your additive e-bike in advance to ensure availability

Prien am Chiemsee is known for its local cuisine, especially fish so you can plan your own picnic using local food

Allow at least 2 hours (more is better) for the Kletterwald (Climbing Forest)

Check with the Prien am Chiemsee Tourist Information for more ideas about what to do

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Thank you to the Priem am Chiemsee Tourist Office for hosting me.

About Laurel

Laurel Robbins is a free-spirited adventurer, award-winning travel blogger at Monkeys and MountainsAdventure Travel Blog. Many hats, one travel obsessed Canadian in Germany.