Although the Allgäu covers a large area in the south-west corner of Bavaria, I find myself repeatedly revisiting one part of it - namely those hills lining the east side of the Oberstdorf valley. Thanks to the Nebelhorn cable-car, access is easy . Perhaps too easy, as the upper station is like Blackpool on a sunny weekend. But start walking southwards along the Laufbachereckweg and you`ll find that the number of people drops off exponentially with every metre taken. By the time that the first bend in the trail puts the station out of view, you`re back in the mountains again!
The attractions here are manyfold, but topping the long list are the incomparable Schneck and Höfats, two of the premier Grasberge der Alpen ("grass mountains of the Alps"). Rarely does grass cling to such steep slopes as it does here - up to 70° in places. An Alpine version of the cliffs of Na Pali, Hawaii, perhaps.