Schlehdorf: Monastery History and Cycling Tours

Schlehdorf combines a long monastery history with churches, cycling routes and the Loisach-Kochelsee Moor. More than 1,250 years of history are associated with the village: its first documented mention as “villa slehdorf” appears in the foundation charter of Schlehdorf-Scharnitz Monastery, dated June 29, 763. When planning your trip, you can combine historic sites with activities in the surrounding landscape.

Monastery History and Churches

The village center also tells the story of Schlehdorf’s past. Its distinctive layout resembles a Roman fortress. This structure dates back to the near-total destruction of the village in a devastating fire in 1846.

Guided tours of St. Tertulin Parish Church take place monthly. From July to October, monthly tours on the monastery’s history are also offered there. If you plan to join a tour, check the dates before your trip. The church’s Baroque organ was completed in 1783 and is considered the only surviving sonic monument by Allgäu organ builder Franz Thoma of Aitrang. Schlehdorf’s Organ Autumn brings together organ concerts and has been held regularly every September since it was revived in autumn 2022; it is also worth checking the dates for these concerts.

The cemetery is home to the Church of the Cross, built in the 17th century. It houses a Romanesque wooden crucifix dating from around 1200 AD. The church is open seasonally. Another way to explore the village’s history is the digital audio walk “763 – A Monastery Village Through the Ages.” Since summer 2025, it has taken visitors on a themed journey through the original monastery, the abbey church and the monastery’s history.

Cycling Tours Through the Moor

The easy Monastery Loop is 23.54 kilometers long and starts and ends at the Gasthof Klosterbräu in Schlehdorf. The route passes through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moos, a landscape conservation area whose rare flora and fauna shape the scenery. There are also family-friendly cycling tours from Schlehdorf along flat paths through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moors. These are extensive habitats for rare animal and plant species.

In winter, the Reuterbühler cross-country ski trail is another option: the loop is 5.2 kilometers long and is groomed for skating and/or classic technique, depending on snow conditions. Access points are on Unterauer Straße, opposite the sports ground, and on An der Breiten at the entrance to the village. Check the current snow conditions before setting off, as they determine whether the trail is groomed and which style it is groomed for.

KlosterGut and Lake Kochel

KlosterGut Schlehdorf is a few minutes’ walk from Lake Kochel, between the mountains and the moor. The estate includes a farm shop and a seasonal café with outdoor seating. The café serves coffee and homemade cakes, either in the former sheepfold or outdoors. Outside the season, a limited selection of coffee and cakes is available in the farm shop, which has outdoor seating. Bear in mind when planning your trip that the café is open seasonally.

On the farm grounds below the historic monastery complex, KlosterGut runs an organic vegetable garden. The estate manages a total of 65 hectares, including biotopes and a lake. A 90-minute round trip by motorboat is available from the landing stage in Schlehdorf on Lake Kochel. Check in advance whether the trip is offered on your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Dietramszell, Bad Heilbrunn, Lenggries, Gaißach, Egling, Icking, Münsing, Eurasburg.

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