The most beautiful hiking destinations in Bavaria if you have children

With animal company, fairy-tale paths and exciting destinations –  hiking trips with children can be fun.

If you've got a donkey carrying your bags, that immediately makes hiking much more fun. And when you're taking a breather, you can simply cuddle up to its soft fur. The six donkeys, Luigi, Vroni, Mario, Fred, Benjamin and Sina, love visitors. From Beratzhausen you can go on guided tours with your animal companions along with the whole family. The choice is yours – would you rather spend a couple of hours or several days travelling with the donkeys?

Not too strenuous and definitely not boring – a barefoot hike on the Kranzberg mountain in Mittenwald is fun for all the family and one of the top destinations with children in Bavaria. On the panorama barefoot path, your little ones can experience how tree cones, warm wood and cool stone feel under their bare feet; they can balance barefoot on logs and stomp through mud. All while mum and dad are enjoying the view.

Hiking is even more fun if there are things to discover at the edge of the path – the most colourful Alpine flowers bloom on the Walmendinger Horn mountain in spring. You can also learn something new – you can take part in free tours on the educational flower path from June onwards.

Do your children love exciting stories and family trips? You can combine both at the Märchenpfad (fairy-tale path) near Regensburg – a new fairytale awaits the little ramblers at each station.

If you have a little more time, the Heuhotel (hay hotel) in the Pegnitztal valley is worth a visit – after a night in the hay and a snack in the former pigsty, the whole family can set out for a guided herb walk with the farmer, for a walk with the farm's donkeys or for a night-time walk with some animal companions. The hungry hikers can expect a campfire back at the farm with campfire bread.

Want a spectacular view of the Alps without having to put your back out? No problem. The route from Unterammergau to Oberammergau is perfect for you. Once you've managed a short climb, a flat, fairly wide path continues along the mountainside. Easy to manage with a child carrier backpack and it's even no problem with a pram in dry conditions. Half way through the trip, a mountain guesthouse beckons with its fantastic views, refreshing sparkling fruit juice and tasty chips.  Maybe your children will enjoy the trip so much that they will repeat it as adults – just like the two sisters in the video.