Discover Wielenbach

The municipality of Wielenbach lies in Pfaffenwinkel, between Weilheim, Lake Starnberg and Lake Ammersee. Several interests come together here when planning a trip: the “Chapel Circuit” cycle route passes through Wielenbach on its return to Weilheim, and the municipal area includes designated landscape conservation areas as well as a small part of the “Hardt” nature reserve. This makes it easy to explore Wielenbach through its cultural and landscape themes, without focusing on just one attraction.

Cycling the Chapel Circuit

The “Chapel Circuit” cycle route runs via Haunshofen and Wielenbach on its way back to Weilheim. Along the way, it invites you to discover small and large churches and chapels. For travelers looking to combine a cycle ride with a cultural and historical theme, this combination is the common thread: the route’s name reflects its focus on religious buildings, while the return leg also takes in the village of Haunshofen. Riding the route and visiting individual chapels are therefore related but distinct ways to explore the local cultural landscape.

Chapels and history

According to accounts by Weilheim parish priest Eisvogl, St. Peter’s Chapel at the southern entrance to the village was rebuilt in 1716. By the Ammer stands the Ammer Chapel, dedicated to the “Holy Trinity”; it is a votive chapel dating from the Thirty Years’ War. The two chapels point to different historical contexts: one has a building history tied to a specific year, while the other originated during a time of war. The Hardt Chapel is also part of the municipality’s cultural heritage. Set within the landscape of the municipality of Wielenbach, it connects the theme of chapels with the character of the landscape.

The landscape of the municipality of Wielenbach

About one third of the municipal area east of the Munich–Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway line lies within the “Hardt Landscape” landscape conservation area and the “Eberfing Drumlin Fields.” A small part of the municipal area also lies within the “Hardt” nature reserve. These area figures distinguish a larger landscape from the limited portion designated as a nature reserve. This landscape context applies at the municipal level and thus extends beyond any single point of interest.

An event in Haunshofen

The traditional ox race takes place every four years in Haunshofen, a village within the municipality of Wielenbach. Its recurring schedule makes it a separate event to consider alongside the chapel and landscape themes. If you are planning your trip around the event, check the exact date in advance.

More to explore in the wider Weilheim-Schongau destination

The wider Weilheim-Schongau destination offers a range of cultural and landscape themes. The Wieskirche near Steingaden was built by Dominikus Zimmermann between 1745 and 1754 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It welcomes visitors to church services, summer concerts and quiet contemplation. As dates may vary, check current concert dates if a summer concert is important to your plans.

The approximately five-kilometer Erdfunkstelle walking trail in Raisting offers a different focus. The circular trail starts at Raisting station and passes through the satellite earth station, by the large satellite dishes and past the Radom industrial monument with its historic Antenna 1. Trail conditions may vary, so take this into account when planning your hike.

The Penzberg Mining Museum preserves the memory of the local lignite mining industry, which operated from 1796 to 1966. Multilingual guided tours are available for international visitors, families and school groups. The wider Weilheim-Schongau area thus brings together a range of themes: chapels and architectural history in Wielenbach, sacred architecture near Steingaden, technical installations in Raisting and mining history in Penzberg.

Discover more destinations: Pähl, Rottenbuch, Polling, Peißenberg, Penzberg, Eberfing, Habach, Raisting

Back to the wider travel overview: Weilheim-Schongau.