Unterammergau: Hiking Trails and Whetstone-Making Tradition

In Unterammergau, hiking, winter activities and the history of whetstone making offer different reasons to visit. Many kilometres of well-maintained hiking trails, opportunities for winter sports and various ways to explore local craftsmanship give a stay a range of possible focuses. To help plan your trip, first decide whether you mainly want to explore the trails, include winter sports or learn about the village’s history.

Hiking Trails and Destinations in the Village

The trail network includes many kilometres of well-maintained hiking trails. The Wiesmahdweg is a meditation trail; another trail leads through Schleifmühlklamm Gorge, where you’ll find crystal-clear pools and waterfalls. A different hiking trail leads to the former whetstone quarries and to a viewpoint high above the village. There are various destinations to choose from: the path designated as a meditation trail, the waterfalls and pools in the gorge, or views of the former whetstone-mining sites.

If you include the trail through Schleifmühlklamm Gorge in your plans, you can also take its starting point into account: it is a 15-minute walk from the Unterammergau Rathaus bus stop and a 20-minute walk from Unterammergau railway station. These distances refer to the walk to the starting point. When choosing a route, it is worth considering the destinations listed separately.

Winter at Steckenberg

The ski centre at Steckenberg in Unterammergau has two beginner rope tows, three platter lifts and two drag lifts. They serve around five kilometres of ski runs for all ability levels. Snow and lift operations vary by season. The village’s winter activities also include many kilometres of cross-country ski trails.

Unterammergau also has a natural toboggan run, which has hosted international toboggan races, among other events. This gives visitors a choice of different winter activities in addition to the runs at Steckenberg and the cross-country trails. The past races should be understood as historical use, not as an indication of an upcoming event date.

Whetstone Making and Village History

Whetstone making shaped Unterammergau for centuries. A permanent exhibition at the Village and Whetstone Museum explores this craft tradition. The former whetstone quarries and the museum offer different ways to discover the same subject: outdoors, at the former extraction sites; indoors, through the history of whetstone making. A long-distance hiking trail connects the former whetstone-making villages of Schwangau, Trauchgau, Unterammergau and Ohlstadt, as well as the Glentleiten Open-Air Museum.

Schleifmühlklamm Gorge is also part of the village’s history: since 2011, a restored grinding mill has been open to visitors at its original historic site. The parish church offers further historical points of interest. The church dates from 1710; its bell tower was built in its present form as early as 1688. Visitors interested in different periods will find architectural history here alongside the history of craftsmanship.

Events and the Leonhardi Procession

Local associations hold festivals and events throughout the year. These include forest festivals, evenings celebrating local culture and customs, brass band concerts and performances by the local amateur theatre group. Dates vary for individual events; if you want to plan your trip around a particular festival or performance, check the date in advance.

A well-established tradition is the annual Leonhardi Procession on the last weekend in October, when horses are blessed. The procession travels from the village centre to the Kappel pilgrimage church, where a Mass and blessing take place. The arrangements can vary from year to year. For planning purposes, the specific date and details of the programme are therefore relevant.

Choosing the Right Time to Travel

The time of year affects which activities take centre stage: snow and lift operations vary seasonally, and museum opening hours may change depending on the season. Dates for individual association events and the annual arrangements for the Leonhardi Procession can also vary. If you’re looking for a hotel in Unterammergau for a particular activity or event, check that your preferred dates match the relevant schedule.

Discover more destinations: Bad Kohlgrub, Murnau Am Staffelsee, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberammergau, Oberau, Mittenwald, Grainau, Saulgrub.

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