Discover Freiamt: Trails, a Mill and Nature

Freiamt offers a mix of forest trails, historic sites and specific reasons to visit when planning a trip. You can choose from themed trails, guided hikes and Nordic walking routes, and include a mill, chapel, museum or nature reserve. Some activities have specific dates and seasonal operating hours to bear in mind. The current closure of the Hünersedelturm is also relevant when planning your visit.

Culture, the Mill and Traditional Crafts

The listed Schillingerhof Mill in the Pechofental was built as a grain mill in 1802. It has been fully operational again since its restoration in 1997. Visits are possible by prior arrangement. The Kniesteinkapelle chapel, built in 1866, stands below the Hünersedel.

In the district of Ottoschwanden, you can watch the distiller making spirits at the Freihof Museum on the first Friday of each month. Check the details of the relevant date before your visit. The Hünersedelturm in Freiamt is closed until further notice due to structural defects that must first be remedied through repair work. Check the closure status before setting out.

Hikes and Trails by Length and Theme

From May to October, guided hikes are regularly held in Freiamt on Tuesdays. There is usually a shorter route of about 4–6 km and a longer one of about 8–10 km. As these distances are approximate and the programme is seasonal, it is advisable to check the calendar in advance. There are also four Nordic walking routes with a total length of more than 24 km; the current route brochure is a useful source of further details.

At Rollberg, two trails offer different experiences: the 2.5 km Walderlebnispfad (Forest Experience Trail) runs along forest and nature paths. At 19 stations, visitors learn about the forest ecosystem in an active and playful way. The Waldsportpfad (Forest Fitness Trail) is for training endurance, strength and coordination; together with its extension loop, it is about 4.5 km long. The distances and themes can help you choose the right trail for your planned outing.

Most of the Walderlebnispfad and Waldsportpfad are accessible with a pushchair and to wheelchair users accompanied by someone else. The qualification “most” is important when planning; check the current conditions on site before your visit.

Nature, Gardens and Activities at the Kurhaus

The “Kreuzmoos” nature reserve covers 5.6 ha and lies at an altitude of about 700 m in the Hünersedel area. It includes fen and wet meadows, where rare plants such as round-leaved sundew, bogbean and marsh pennywort grow. A water-treading facility for residents and visitors is located right by the Brettental hiking car park.

The gardens at the Kurhaus Freiamt include a colourful perennial garden, peonies, evergreen and winter-green shrubs, bulb plants, more than 1,000 daffodils and a heather bed. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course right by the Kurhaus. Its individual obstacles vary in difficulty; as it operates seasonally, check the latest details before your visit.

The sauna area at the Freiämter indoor swimming pool offers sauna infusions every half hour, a Finnish sauna at 90 °C and a steam bath at 45 °C. As operating information may change, check before your visit whether the facilities are currently open.

Farmers’ Market and Regional Produce

Since 1998, the Freiämter farmers’ market in the district of Ottoschwanden has offered fruit and vegetables, eggs, cheese, honey, homemade spirits, bread, farm-made ice cream and other products from local farms. The market takes place on Fridays; opening hours are shorter in winter. This makes it easy to include a market visit in your weekly plans while keeping seasonal hours in mind.

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