I'd been there plenty of times, but I'd never once laid eyes on the Drachenthal, the little valley tucked behind the village. Then I saw a few photos of that stretch and was genuinely surprised at how beautiful it is back there. So I laced up my boots and went to see it for myself. Over time, that walk grew into this whole project.
The trail runs just shy of 52 kilometers (about 32 miles) from Wörnsmühl through Bayrischzell all the way to Thiersee in Tyrol. Four stages, opened in 2023 as a cross-border Interreg project. On this page you'll find my overview of how I experienced the trail up to the state line, whether the companion app is worth your time, and the smartest way to get there.
Still in the works: The individual pages for the four stages are going live here over the next few days. If you'd rather not wait, sign up for the newsletter and I'll drop you a note the moment the first stage is online.
Background
What sets the Ursprungweg apart from other trails
This is a themed trail, not your classic long-distance hike. Roughly 40 stations are scattered along the route, each telling a piece of the region's story: the shared history of Bavaria and Tyrol, water, forest, meadows, local customs. The whole thing comes with a free app (more on that below, and what I actually think of it).
Behind the project stands the Euregio Inntal, funded through the EU's Interreg Bavaria-Austria program. The trail opened in May 2023.
My take
Who the Ursprungweg is worth it for
Honestly, I can only speak for the stretch up to the state line. I'm walking the final leg to Thiersee myself this summer. But yes, the trail is worth it. Even if, like me, you're no hiking fanboy.
My advice is to tackle it stage by stage, exactly the way it's officially divided up. Don't try to do it all in one go, don't rush, don't run yourself into the ground. One stage per day, take in the sights along the way, stop, look around.
The scenery kept me hooked the whole way through. Following the Leitzach up to Aurach, where the stream slips away for a while, then from Osterhofen it comes back and keeps you company all the way to Bayrischzell. For me, that's the most peaceful part of the whole route.
Heads up: In the summer of 2025, there were reports that some of the signage and QR codes had weathered badly and were due for a refresh.
Overview
The four stages side by side
Stage 4, at 22 km (14 mi) and 7 hours of walking, is the longest and toughest of the bunch.
About the app
The Livi AR app: do you actually need it?
The official companion for the trail is the free Livi AR app, with around 40 interactive stations. Two characters, Elli and Theo, walk you through the region's customs, nature, and history.
I'll be straight with you: I'm a tech person, but out on the trail the app just didn't grab me. I tried it once at a station, and at other spots it flat-out didn't work. When I'm outdoors, what matters to me is the nature and my own impressions, not an audio guide piped through my phone.
If you do want to use it: download the audio tracks and AR content ahead of time on Wi-Fi. Coverage is spotty up at the Ursprungpass and in parts of the Leitzach valley, so if you show up without the content preloaded, you'll be standing there with no stations at all.
If you're planning to walk more than one stage: Bayrischzell is the perfect home base. From here you can head either direction, north toward Fischbachau or south to the state line. Lodging, a place to eat, and a train connection are all right here. More under Lodging and Food & Drink.
Stage 1: Drachenthal
Wörnsmühl → Fischbachau, 7.7 km (4.8 mi). Along the Leitzach, past old sawmills, with beaver tales along the way.
Stage 2: Leitzachtal
Fischbachau → Bayrischzell, 10 km (6.2 mi). Meadows, views of the Wendelstein, and the arrival in the village.
Stage 3: Ursprungpass
Bayrischzell → state line, 11.1 km (6.9 mi). A Kneipp water facility, an adventure playground, and smuggler stories up at the pass.
Stage 4: Riedenberg
Landl → Thiersee, 22 km (14 mi). The most demanding stage. I'll report back once I've walked this stretch myself.
