Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn: Forest, Trails and St. Leonhard

Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn combines its location in an extensive forest area with historic churches and the annual Leonhardifest. This gives you different priorities to consider when planning your trip: spending time on forest and field paths, exploring the architectural history of St. Leonhard, or visiting during the festival in July. The local details below can help you match nature, culture and travel arrangements to your interests.

Location, Trails and Getting There

The town lies like an island in a clearing within an extensive forest area. Walking and hiking routes around Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn follow forest and field paths; many have only slight changes in elevation. The landscape includes both quiet stretches through the forest and sunny sections across fields. The Höhenkirchner Forst is one of the area's distinctive natural features. When planning a route, you can take both its course and the surrounding landscape into account.

The connection to Munich can also be factored into your travel plans: the S-Bahn journey from Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn to central Munich takes about 30 minutes. Actual travel times may vary depending on the timetable and operating conditions, so check the connection for your travel date. The approximate journey time provides one guide for getting there, while the local trails and churches offer other possible focal points.

Bike Rides to Kastensee and Steinsee

Kastensee and Steinsee are two different destinations in the area for bike trips. A bike ride from Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn to Kastensee follows mainly forest paths and includes swimming in the lake. The excursion route to Steinsee is often shaded and includes swimming on the southeastern shore. The routes described therefore differ both in the nature of the ride and in the swimming area mentioned. Route conditions and swimming opportunities may vary; check them before your trip.

St. Leonhard and Local History

The history of the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard is documented in records dating back to 1403. The stone church building that still stands was constructed in 1460. The present-day church has a single nave; a two-storey side aisle was added on its north side in 1592. The building was altered several times, most recently around 1790. The dates mark different stages: its first documented mention, the construction of the stone church building and later structural changes.

Some individual details of the churches have also been recorded: the entrance hall contains horseshoes, including one dated 1683. The side altar of the Church of the Nativity of Mary in Höhenkirchen features a late Gothic Madonna. The former Höhenkirchen Hofmarkschloss is a listed, two-storey plastered building; its core dates from the 15th or 16th century. These architectural and decorative details highlight different aspects of local history.

Leonhardifest and Church Visits

Every year in July, the Leonhardifest takes place at the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard in Siegertsbrunn. The festival includes a market and a festival tent; decorated horse-drawn carriages also make three circuits around St. Leonhard. If your stay falls in July, check the specific date and details of that year's festival, as they may vary from year to year.

St. Peter in Siegertsbrunn and the Church of the Nativity of Mary in Höhenkirchen are listed as open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for prayer. Opening hours may change, so check them before your visit. St. Leonhard is not generally open every day because it lacks security equipment. Take these different opening hours into account when planning a church visit.

Discover more destinations: Pullach Im Isartal, Haar, Unterföhring, Putzbrunn, Hohenbrunn, Oberschleißheim, Aschheim, Aying

For the broader travel guide: Munich.