Discover Stiefenhofen in the Allgäu

The resort town of Stiefenhofen in the Allgäu lies in front of the Nagelfluh Range, at an elevation of 750 to 1,117 metres, on the approach slope rising from Lake Constance. If you are planning a stay, the municipality offers named hiking routes, cross-country ski trails and cultural traditions to suit different travel times and interests.

Hiking routes and herb garden

Three circular hiking trails are signposted in the municipality of Stiefenhofen: Balzhofen / Hertnegg, Weißenbachmühle and the Kräutergartenrunde (Herb Garden Loop). This gives you several named destinations to choose from when planning your walks. The Kräutergartenrunde is 11.5 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of four and a half hours. It leads to the district of Hopfen and the Artemisia herb garden, where a guided herb garden visit and a place to stop for refreshments are available. Check the current route before setting out.

The Artemisia Allgäu Herb Garden, with 300 different medicinal and culinary plants, is in the district of Hopfen. The number of plants may change. The garden is accessible to everyone around the clock; check before visiting whether this access arrangement is still in effect. The Balzhofen / Hertnegg loop also offers a place to stop for refreshments at Cafe Katharina in Balzhofen. It is best to check the current opening hours directly in advance.

Cross-country ski trails in winter

The municipality’s cross-country ski trails include three routes of different lengths: the Stiefenhofener-Loipe is 8.6 kilometres long and is numbered 15. The Trainingsloipe (Route 16) covers 1.6 kilometres, while the Hopfener-Loipe (Route 18) is 4.5 kilometres long. You can compare the stated distances to choose the route length you prefer. Trail availability depends on winter conditions. The hiking route pairs a specific walking time with its distance; for the ski trails, the route lengths are the basis for comparison. So, depending on the activity, your planning involves choosing between a time estimate and a distance in kilometres.

Chapels and living traditions

A chapel in Hopfen was built around 1800 to replace an earlier wooden chapel. Since 1935, an annual procession on horseback, the Martinsritt, has been held for its patronal feast. If you would like to plan your trip around this tradition, check the current event arrangements in advance.

A chapel walk leads to three chapels in the municipality: the Pestkapelle, the Chapel of St. Martin in Hopfen and the Hahnschenkelkapelle. To visit the inside of the Pestkapelle, you can collect the key from the Stiefenhofen Tourist Information Office. Confirm that the key is still available for collection before your visit.

The maypole is also part of the municipality’s annual calendar: traditionally, it is raised by hand every year on May 1. A festival with the brass band and the traditional costume association follows. If you would like to include the event in your travel plans, check the programme for the year in question.

Discover more destinations: Oberreute, Heimenkirch, Weißensberg, Nonnenhorn, Bodolz, Sigmarszell, Opfenbach, Hergatz.

For the wider travel overview: Lindau.