Travel Guide Germany Bavaria Allgaeu Oberallgaeu

/ Blooming mountain meadows in Oberallgaeu
Photo: Hartmut Wimmer, Outdooractive Editors
/ Brown cattle in Allgaeu
Photo: Outdooractive Editors
/ Hiker at Starzlachklamm
Photo: Christa Fredlmeier, Allgäu GmbH
/ View from Rotspitze to Hohen Gänge and Breitenberg
Photo: Hartmut Wimmer, Outdooractive Editors
/ View of Großer Alpsee and Grünten
Photo: Outdooractive Editors
/ Snowy Allgaeu mountain landscape
Photo: Erika Spengler, Outdooractive Editors
/ Viehscheid in Ofterschwang/Gunzesried
Photo: TG Hörnerdörfer
/ Alpe Plättele bei Hindelang
Photo: Gästeinformation Bad Hindelang
/ Bikers taking a break at a lake
Photo: Shutterstock/Fotolia

Oberallgaeu

The high alpine terrain, the vast lake landscape and the pre-alpine region with its widespread road network as well as the many serviced mountain pastures strongly influence Oberallgeau’s character. The most southern district of Germany is known for traditions and customs. The Allgaeu brown cattle provides one of the region’s most loved specialties: The Allgaeu mountain cheese.

trails outdoor stories offers ski resorts places to visit accommodations huts

Overview

Oberallgaeu: A travelling destination in Germany's most southern region

The northern Oberallgaeu surrounds the independent town of Kempten. It is characterized by its pre-alpine mountain landscape and the many little villages that invite outdoor enthusiasts to beautiful hiking and biking tours.

The gate to the Allgaeu Alps is located a bit further south and near Immenstadt. Between Nagelfluhkette in the West and Grünten in the East begins the Illertal (Iller Valley) whose smaller side valleys stretch from Sonthofen to Oberstdorf and Germany’s most southern point (Haldenwanger Eck) and provides endless opportunities for adventurous hikes and biking tours.

Outdoor activities in Oberallgaeu

The Oberallgaeu is particularly famous for its rich and diverse range for hikers and mountaineers. Whether you prefer easier panorama hikes in the lower mountain ranges between Kempten and Immenstadt or climb one of the countless peaks in Iller Valley and the Allgaeu Alps – the choice is yours!

During winter there are numerous ski resorts around Oberstdorf such as Fellhorn and Nebelhorn. If you want to enjoy the calm and quiet of winter, you should take a beautiful winter hike or snowshoeing or ski tour.

Lake scenery of Oberallgaeu

One of the most striking landscape characteristics of Oberallgaeu are without doubt its many small and big lakes. Alpsee, Niedersonthofener See and Rottachsee are the biggest and most well-known of these lakes.

But there are plenty more lakes that provide fun and refreshing swimming opportunities during summer. Trips to Schrecksee and Gaisalpsee can be combined with beautiful mountain tours.

Oberallgaeu huts: traditional comforts for refreshments and overnight stays

As a ‘pit stop’ during a hike or to warm up on a cold skiing day: The Allgaeu mountain huts are extremely popular among their guests. Many of them provide milk, cheese, yoghurt and curd cheese from their own cattle. Other hut owners offer selfmade liquors and fruit brandies.

Funken and Klausentreiben: Oberallgaeu traditions

Heritage and tradition are a big part of the Oberallgaeu culture. Highlights each year are the ‘Viehscheide’ (cattle drives) in September, the Klausentreiben (Nicholas chase) in December and the Funkenfeuer (Bonfires) during spring. You can learn more about the Oberallgaeu traditions in many different local history museums.