Fasting Hikes in Bavaria: Routes in the Leitzachtal

The essentials at a glance

• Moderate exercise during the fasting metabolism boosts fat burning and is proven to protect muscles from breaking down.
• Three routes starting from the Tannerhof's doorstep offer the right level of challenge for every fasting day – from valley paths to mountain hikes.
• When fasting and hiking, a consciously reduced walking pace, regular breaks, and high fluid intake are of great importance.
• The guided Hiking & Fasting week at the Tannerhof offers a secure environment in a small group of a maximum of 10 people.

Why fasting and hiking belong together

Abstaining from solid food awakens forces within the body that have been dormant for millennia. Those who fast embark on a journey of reduction. A letting go. A sensing. A sigh of relief. This conscious choice does not have to end in an armchair. On the contrary: the combination of abstinence and moderate outdoor exercise ideally supports the organism during this phase of transition. Our medically supervised Body Detox therapeutic fasting at the Tannerhof nature hotel has shown for decades that the fasting metabolism gains depth through alpine activity.

The Tannerhof medical team, together with the Medical Association for Therapeutic Fasting and Nutrition (ÄGHE), in which our physician Burgi von Mengershausen is an active member, points to the physiological mechanisms of active fasting. Contrary to old prejudices, moderate exercise does not break down muscle mass but rather protects it from degradation, while simultaneously stabilizing oxygen uptake and circulation. Observations by the ÄGHE confirm that the combination of therapeutic fasting and exercise can noticeably alleviate chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, joint pain, or exhaustion. Emotional well-being also increases significantly due to hormonal harmonization.

• Preservation of muscle mass: Moderate exertion signals to the organism that protein stores are needed, which minimizes muscle breakdown.
• Optimized fat burning: The metabolism quickly switches to using ketone bodies and utilizes fat reserves as its primary energy source.
• Mood boost: Active circulation and exercise in the fresh air release endorphins and serotonin, which promotes the "fasting high."

Three hours of moderate hiking per day is, according to medical experience, optimal for challenging the body without overexerting it. Those who traverse the Leitzachtal valley on foot experience nature more intensely and simultaneously support the internal cleansing process in a natural way. You can find more details on this delicate balance in our thoughts on the topic of exercise while fasting.

Three routes from the doorstep in the Leitzachtal valley

Moderate movement during the fasting metabolism requires a fine sense for one's own rhythm. With our Hiking & Fasting program, the nature experience begins without any logistical effort right at the door of your Tannerhof room. The surrounding mountain world of the Leitzachtal valley offers the right path for every phase of the fasting week, so that the exertion adapts harmoniously to the subtle ups and downs of your physical strength.

The flat Geitau Loop is ideal for the sensitive first days of metabolic transition. It leads through the valley meadows without any significant inclines, gently supporting the circulation without overtaxing the system as the liver adjusts to the fasting state. For those already settled into a steady rhythm, the classic Seeberg Loop offers a medium-difficulty mountain forest trail that calms the breath and clears the mind with its steady pace.

As soon as the noticeable lightness sets in from the fourth day of fasting, the half-day tour towards the striking Wendelstein beckons. On these scenic paths, your lungs can work deeply, while movement in the cool mountain air maximizes fat burning. Each of these routes can be enjoyed independently or as part of our program to experience the alpine landscape in perfect clarity.

Mindfulness, pace, and circulation during fasting metabolism

Walking the quiet paths of the Leitzach Valley without solid food allows you to experience your body in a new, authentic way. At the Naturhotel Tannerhof, we see walking as a natural partner to fasting metabolism, but this combination requires a conscious departure from athletic ambition. Without the rapid energy from carbohydrates, the organism adapts. It burns fat, supports circulation, and releases a deep sense of clarity, provided we give it the necessary time. This gentle exertion demonstrates how effective exercise is during fasting when you don't force your own rhythm, but let it flow.

• A decelerated walking pace and conscious rest breaks: The body works economically, but more slowly. Short stops along the way allow the breath to flow calmly and protect against sudden fatigue.
• Continuous hydration: At least 2.5 liters of fresh spring water or mild herbal tea per day are necessary to gently flush out metabolic waste and keep the blood flowing smoothly.
• Pay close attention to your body's signals: a slight tingling or a brief drop in blood pressure are not obstacles, but guideposts that call for a moment of pause or a glass of water.

This honest focus on the essentials also shapes the experience beyond the hiking trails. To preserve the clarity gained while walking from the sensory overload of everyday life, we consciously avoid unnecessary distractions at the Tannerhof. Our rooms, cabins, and cabin towers are intentionally free of Wi-Fi and do not come with televisions as standard. It is a quiet invitation to inner reflection, an undisturbed digital detox retreat that lets the mind breathe while the feet follow the paths of the valley.

Guided by the Tannerhof team or on your own

Everyone fasts differently, and so movement should also find its own unique place. If you choose our classic, medically supervised Body Detox fasting, you can shape your days according to your own rhythm. We provide carefully selected route maps at our reception, tailored precisely to the subtle nuances of the fasting metabolism. You hike alone, in quiet dialogue with the mountain forests of the Leitzachtal, and listen deeply to yourself.

• Individual hiking as part of Body Detox fasting with customized route tips for every single day of your fast.
• The close-knit community of our Hiking & Fasting week for a shared, guided nature experience.
• Medical security through close supervision by the doctors at the Tannerhof for both approaches.

For those who seek the strength of a group and wish to fully entrust themselves to the rhythm of the house, we have created a special format. Our dedicated Hiking & Fasting week begins and ends on a Sunday and lasts for eight days (seven nights). In a small, intimate group of no more than ten participants, we set out together every morning. Accompanied by Vroni Waller and Jonas von Mengershausen, you will hike along selected paths around Bayrischzell. These tours are moderate in difficulty but intense in experience, ensuring the body is gently moved without ever being overexerted.