Motorhome with a dog in the Allgäu

The Allgäu packs into a small area exactly what many travellers with a dog are looking for: gentle alpine meadows for relaxed hiking, rugged Alpine peaks for more ambitious tours, and in between, clear mountain lakes that are perfect for cooling off after a long day on the trail. Unlike the high Alps further south, the Allgäu is comparatively accessible - many trails are perfectly manageable for less experienced hikers and their dogs, without any need for alpine experience.

The region stretches from the gentle hills around Kempten and Oberstdorf to the rugged peaks of the Allgäu Alps on the Austrian border. This variety makes the Allgäu a particularly flexible destination for a motorhome trip with a dog: a leisurely alpine meadow hike with panoramic views one day, a more demanding mountain tour the next for dogs and owners who enjoy a bigger challenge.

This guide gives you a practical overview of getting there, a possible route, specific destinations for day trips and tips for the road. Bear in mind that rules on grazing livestock on alpine pastures, leash requirements in nature reserves or specific regulations at individual pitches can vary from place to place. So check locally before planning a route in detail, especially regarding the current grazing situation on the alpine pastures, which calls for particular caution with dogs.

Getting there & pitches

The Allgäu is easy to reach via the A7 from the north and via the A96 from the direction of Munich. From Kempten, well-developed federal roads branch off into the individual valleys of the region, so even more remote starting points for hikes can be reached without major detours.

Pitches in the Allgäu often come with a direct view of the surrounding mountains, which in itself accounts for a large part of the region's appeal. Many operators are used to hikers with dogs, but it's still worth checking the rules on off-leash areas on the grounds before booking. During the summer high season and the winter sports months, popular pitches around Oberstdorf and Immenstadt are often heavily booked - if you can travel flexibly, you'll find free spots more easily in the shoulder months.

Dog-friendly highlights & hikes

The Allgäu offers a particularly dense network of hiking trails of every level of difficulty, from flat alpine meadows to demanding summit tours.

The alpine meadows around Oberstdorf and Bad Hindelang are among the most accessible and at the same time most impressive destinations in the region. Many of these trails are also manageable with a pushchair or for less experienced hikers, yet still offer spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. For dogs, the wide, open meadows mean plenty of space to sniff around - but only where no grazing animals are about. On working alpine pastures you should always expect grazing livestock, which is why keeping your dog consistently on a leash is a must here, no matter how reliably your dog otherwise responds to recall.

If you're looking for more of a challenge, the Allgäu Alps offer numerous summit tours with an alpine character, for instance around the Nebelhorn or the Hochgrat. These tours require good fitness from both dog and owner as well as sturdy footwear, but they reward you with some of the finest views in the entire region. Before more demanding tours, check the level of difficulty carefully, as some passages can be unsuitable for dogs due to the risk of falls.

Things are quieter in the side valleys away from the well-known main towns. Valleys such as the Ostrachtal or the Gunzesrieder Tal offer scenery just as beautiful as the tourist hotspots, but with significantly fewer visitors - ideal for dogs that prefer to explore in peace.

• Alpine meadows around Oberstdorf are easily accessible even for less experienced hikers
• On working alpine pastures, leashes are always required because of grazing livestock
• Summit tours such as the Nebelhorn or Hochgrat offer an alpine experience for fit dogs
• Side valleys away from the main towns are far quieter than the well-known destinations

Swimming with your dog in mountain lakes

After a long hike, a mountain lake is the finest reward for many dogs. The Allgäu has several clear mountain lakes where, depending on local regulations, swimming with your dog is possible - but the exact rules differ from lake to lake and should be checked on site, as some waters are subject to special regulations as drinking water reservoirs or nature reserves.

The water temperature in the mountain lakes usually stays pleasantly cool even at the height of summer, which is equally refreshing for dog and owner after a sweaty mountain tour. Make sure not to let your dog jump straight into cold water right after a strenuous hike - give it a short cool-down period first.

Best time to travel

June to September is the classic hiking season in the Allgäu and accordingly the best time for a trip with a dog. The alpine pastures are in operation then, the huts are open, and the higher trails are generally free of snow. Early summer brings lush green fields and blooming alpine meadows, while late summer tends to offer dry, stable weather for longer summit tours.

In spring, patches of snow may still linger on higher trails, which is why this season is better suited to the lower-lying valleys. In winter, the Allgäu transforms into a popular winter sports region, but many classic hiking pitches are then closed and conditions for dogs are considerably more demanding due to the cold, ski traffic and cleared but slippery paths.

Sample route for 5–7 days

One possible route runs from Kempten via Oberstdorf, Bad Hindelang and Immenstadt, with plenty of time for hikes of varying difficulty.

Stage 1: Kempten as a starting point

Kempten offers a good starting point with quieter green spaces on the edge of town for the first settling-in day. Use this day to ease yourself and your dog into the pace of the trip before the more demanding mountain tours begin.

Stages 2 to 3: Oberstdorf and the alpine meadows

Oberstdorf is one of the best-known starting points for hikes in the Allgäu and offers direct access to numerous alpine meadows and mountain tours of varying difficulty. Plan at least two days for this section so you can fit in both a leisurely alpine meadow hike and a more demanding tour.

Stage 4: Bad Hindelang and the Ostrachtal

Bad Hindelang and the surrounding Ostrachtal offer a quieter alternative to the busier destinations around Oberstdorf. The scenery is just as impressive, but the crowds are noticeably smaller, which is especially pleasant for dogs that appreciate their peace and quiet.

Stages 5 to 7: Immenstadt and the way back

The final section leads via Immenstadt, where the Alpsee offers another mountain lake for a relaxed cool-down before the route slowly heads back towards your starting point. These days are well suited to catching up on anything you missed or simply enjoying a quiet end to the trip.

Practical tips with a dog

On alpine meadows, always expect grazing livestock - keep your dog consistently on a leash near cows or sheep, even if it otherwise responds reliably to recall. Grazing animals with young in particular can react unpredictably if they feel threatened by a dog. If grazing livestock approaches, the general recommendation is to let go of the leash in an emergency so that dog and owner can get to safety separately.

The higher altitudes of the Allgäu bring weather that can change far more quickly than in the lowlands. Even in summer, pack some extra warm gear for your dog in case the weather takes an unexpected turn on a summit tour. Also keep an eye on your dog's paws, as some mountain trails are stony and rocky.

• Keep your dog consistently on a leash on working alpine pastures because of grazing livestock
• Weatherproof extra gear for sudden weather changes in the mountains
• Check paw protection on stony, rocky sections of trail
• Plan enough breaks on demanding summit tours, especially for less fit dogs

Food, drink and short breaks along the way

Many mountain huts and alpine inns in the Allgäu are used to hikers with dogs and offer outdoor areas where dogs are welcome - but the exact rules differ from hut to hut, so it's worth asking briefly. For longer mountain tours, always carry enough water for your dog, as not every mountain stream carries water all year round.

Always check the rules locally

The Allgäu is characterised by many individual alpine pastures, nature reserves and municipalities, each with its own rules on dogs. This overview cannot cover such detailed regulations for every single place. So before each stage, take a moment to check locally - for instance at the tourist information office, the alpine pasture management or directly with the pitch operator - which rules currently apply, especially regarding the grazing situation on the alpine trails you plan to take.

Smaller mountain villages away from the well-known towns

Beyond the famous names such as Oberstdorf or Bad Hindelang, it's worth taking a look at the region's smaller mountain villages, for instance around Balderschwang, Missen-Wilhams or the upper Ostrachtal. These places offer scenery similar to the tourist centres, but with far less bustle, especially outside the summer holidays. For a motorhome trip with a dog, it pays to deliberately plan your route not only around the most famous destinations, but also to schedule stopovers in smaller communities where a dog on a leash hardly stands out from everyday life.

These smaller places often have the advantage that pitch and alpine hiking trails are right next to each other, so several shorter walks can be spread across the day without having to move the motorhome each time. The region's numerous cheese dairies are also worth a stopover - many offer small tastings where dogs on a leash are usually welcome, provided the setting is outdoors.

Things to do on rainy days in the Allgäu

Not every day in the Allgäu comes with blue skies, especially in a region where mountain weather can change quickly. On rainy or foggy days, shorter walks in the lower-lying valleys are a good option, as they are less exposed to the weather than the high altitudes. Alternatively, such days are well suited to planning the rest of your route, visiting one of the many cheese shops or small farm shops along the way, or simply spending a quiet day at the pitch with your dog before the next stage begins.

Experience the Allgäu with the right motorhome

For a mountain trip with a dog, it's worth choosing a motorhome with a good layout for changeable mountain weather, plenty of storage space for hiking gear and reliable heating for cool nights at altitude. On Pfotentour you'll find a selection of dog-friendly motorhomes from various hosts, perfect for a relaxed route through the Allgäu.