Maierhöfen: Trails, Nature and Winter

In Maierhöfen, there’s plenty to do, from cycling routes and winter sports to themed trails and nature experiences. To plan your stay, it helps to start by considering the season and the activities that interest you most.

Cycling Routes and Winter Activities

The Allgäu Cycling Loop leads to Maierhöfen, and the cycling route of the Allgäu Cheese Road passes through the village. These are two distinct cycling routes. As the exact routes may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest route information before setting off.

In winter, the Flucken and Iberg ski lifts are options for skiers. Cross-country skiers can use Maierhöfen’s extensive network of trails. Check local operating conditions when making specific plans. This lets you plan winter sports to suit the season without committing in advance to either activity.

Trails with Different Themes

The Kugel-Alp Trail features 18 family-friendly discovery stations about the natural and cultural landscape and the people who live and work there. Traditional alpine farming is one of its main themes. A wildlife observation station focuses on forest birds and mammals, and there are also several balancing and play features. The trail thus combines nature-related themes with insights into the cultural landscape.

The Hengelesweiher Loop starts at the Ibergzentrum and passes the sports field, meadows, and forest on the way towards Hengelesweiher and its species-rich nature reserve. The Meditation Trail, by contrast, focuses on quiet reflection: it starts on the path to the labyrinth and leads to four stations with the themes “New Beginnings,” “Breath,” “Silence,” and “Source of Strength.” The Kugelrundweg Maierhöfen leads to the Kugel, the highest point in the Westallgäu.

Nature Experience at the Eistobel

The Eistobel nature reserve is located near Maierhöfen. It is about 3.5 kilometers long and framed by rock walls up to 130 meters high. There, the Obere Argen cascades down into the valley over several drops. The Eistobel provides a habitat for species including dippers, blue-winged demoiselles, and ravens; its plant life also includes mosses, ferns, and horsetails.

A well-maintained hiking trail leads through the gorge, with three loop-hike options to choose from. The hiking trail is closed in winter. The rock walls, river, and variety of plant and animal groups give the area a character quite different from Maierhöfen’s themed trails.

Culture and Autumn Traditions

The Maierhöfen Sculpture Trail is an approximately five-kilometer loop with 17 sculptures and twelve text panels. Artists created the works at a symposium and donated them to Maierhöfen for a permanent exhibition. The trail thus combines exercise with art and writing. At the autumn Viehscheid, the cows are herded down from the mountain pastures into the village. This recurring tradition adds a seasonal highlight alongside the trails and nature experiences.

In the Wider Lindau Destination

Historic buildings are a major attraction in Lindau. The New Lighthouse is 33 meters tall and can be reached via 139 steps. Built in 1380, the Diebsturm on Lindau Island long marked the western end of the town’s fortifications.

Discover more destinations: Scheidegg, Wasserburg, Opfenbach, Heimenkirch, Sigmarszell, Lindenberg Im Allgäu, Nonnenhorn, Lindau.

Back to the main travel guide: Lindau.