Prien am Chiemsee is famous 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 nothing on Schloss Herrenchiemsee! It’s incredibly ornate, and even on its own island – don’t worry, there’s a boat so you don’t have to swim over. Schloss Herrenchiemsee is one of my favorite castles in Germany and I highly recommend checking 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 I could 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 by adjusting 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 off we 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 so many perfect picnic spots around the lake, like the Prienavera Beach. We promised ourselves that we will do this more often.
Bellies full, it was off to Kletterwald (Climbing Forest). I’ve done different versions of this in Italy and in Austria, and LOVED it. It was J.P.’s first time and he was intrigued. There are a total of 13 different courses, each course having several challenges. They vary in difficulty, starting from courses that are low to the ground and aimed for children as young as 4 years old and up. Watching 10 year olds move through the courses was like watching monkeys – they were fearless and fast moving.
Being just “slightly” older than 10, I moved somewhat slower and less gracefully. And while I consider myself to be reasonably athletic, two hours and four courses later, my arms were shaking in exhaustion. Each of the courses we did was 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 was daunting 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….and hiking 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 getaway from 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 Tourist Information 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
Thank you to the Priem am Chiemsee Tourist Office for hosting me.
Love that picnic box! So fancy!
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@Zhu – I loved it too, but it was just borrowed for the day.
That is an awesome picnic basket! The climbing forest looks like a lot of fun too!
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Wow, interesting to learn about Schloss Herrenchiemsee. After seeing Neuschwanstein, didn’t think the mad king could get any more ornate than that!
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As a kid, my dad dragged us all around Germany from one castle / cathedral / museum to the next and I was generally pretty miserable since they all looked the same to me. The Rodelbahn and Kletterwald type of places were the only highlights for us children.
Now I look back and realize how lucky we were to have seen all these places and I realize I probably should have appreciated it more. But I was eight, so what do you expect. I guess it just means I have to go back some day.
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Wow. The picnic box really looks great. What immediately came to my mind is the time I spend with my children picnicking around Toronto. I love summer picnics! I can mix two of my favorite things: food and nature, and of course, my family! As a mother of three children I always choose picnic spots where they can enjoy their favorite activities and that’s why Toronto’s High Park is the most popular place in our family when it comes to picnicking.
The climbing forest looks like so much fun, as does the picnic! That’s one fancy basket! I’d like to enjoy one of those before the end of summer.
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