Obing: Lakeside Landscapes, Art and Local History

Obing brings together the landscape of the Chiemgau Lake District with works of art, local history and waterside activities. This is a helpful combination when choosing Obing as a destination: you can take your cue from the landscape while also exploring specific cultural sites. Lake Obing, St. Laurentius Parish Church and the local history museum each offer a different focus.

Landscape and activities

Obing is in the Chiemgau Lake District, a pre-Alpine landscape shaped by glaciers. Gentle hills, numerous lakes, moors and forests characterize this natural area. The landscape is well suited to cycling, hiking and swimming. This gives Obing a clear focus on its natural surroundings alongside its local cultural attractions. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether you would rather focus on the lakeside landscape or on art and local history.

Lake Obing and the sculpture trail

Lake Obing is a bathing lake with a family-friendly lido. A long, gently sloping ramp gives wheelchair users direct access to the water. If access is a factor in your plans, the ramp is a specific feature of the lake. The sculpture trail runs around Lake Obing and connects the theme of water with contemporary art.

Since 1999, the trail has displayed more than 20 works by contemporary sculptors, most of whom are from southeastern Bavaria. The collection may change because some works are included on loan. Swimming and sculpture are both part of Lake Obing’s appeal, while the collection of artworks may change over time.

Church art and local history

The high altar of St. Laurentius Parish Church houses three carved figures by the Master of Rabenden. The figures include the Madonna and Child and two saints: Laurentius and James the Elder. This is a specific art-historical highlight in Obing.

The Obing Local History Museum is housed in the former town hall. It displays artifacts relating to the history of Obing Castle, school and church history, and the LEO local railway. Its subjects therefore range from the castle’s history to education, religious life and the local railway. Unlike the high altar, the museum explores several aspects of local history.

The Way of St. James and seasonal train services

The Way of St. James passes through the region, with Obing and Albertaich located directly on the route. While the parish church and local history museum explore specific cultural themes in Obing, the Way of St. James adds a regional pilgrimage route to the picture.

For the 2026 season, the Chiemgau Local Railway scheduled Sunday services from Obing to Bad Endorf via Amerang and Halfing between May and September. If you are considering this connection in your plans, check the timetable for your chosen date: seasonal schedules may change.

Traunstein district as a wider setting

Lake Chiemsee and Lake Waginger See are in Traunstein district. The Chiemgau Alps are home to more than 170 alpine pastures and peaks reaching heights of up to 2,000 meters. These natural attractions describe the wider district; Obing itself is in the Chiemgau Lake District.

The town of Traunstein also has its own cultural and historical focus: preserved saltworks houses and the saltworks chapel offer insight into the town’s important salt history. The saltworks chapel is the largest chapel in Germany. Salt history is part of the story of Traunstein; in Obing, St. Laurentius Parish Church and the local history museum are the cultural attractions that represent the area.

Discover more destinations: Pittenhart, Kienberg, Unterwössen, Inzell, Seeon-Seebruck, Übersee, Grassau, Kirchanschöring

Go to the overview of destinations: Traunstein.