Discover Garching a.d. Alz

Settlement history, views and the Alz

The SKW Settlement Historical Walking Trail opened in May 2023 to mark the settlement’s 100th anniversary. It leads through different parts of the settlement and brings the development of its historic buildings to life. Its focus is therefore the architectural development of the settlement, rather than just a single building—a distinct point of interest for travellers interested in local history.

Schnabling adds a different local attraction to this historical perspective: it is a viewpoint in Garching an der Alz. This means Garching offers both a trail that explores the development of historic buildings and a single viewpoint, appealing to different interests.

The Alz river route from Trostberg to Garching an der Alz is suitable for canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats and SUP boards. Water levels and river conditions can affect safe use. So check the current conditions in advance and follow the equipment guidance.

The wider destination of Altötting

The wider destination of Altötting extends the perspective beyond Garching. Altötting district lies along the Inn and Salzach rivers. An approximately 10-kilometre-wide plain crossed by the Inn is bordered to the north and south by lush green hills. Together with Mühldorf district, Altötting district belongs to the Inn-Salzach tourism region. Visitor information for the region includes cycling and pilgrimage routes, museums and bathing lakes, among other things. This wider setting brings together landscapes and rivers with cultural and leisure activities.

Natural attractions in the wider destination of Altötting include the Dachlwand nature reserve on the Inn, northwest of Marktl. It covers parts of the municipalities of Marktl, Erlbach and Perach and is about 206 hectares in size. In 1986, it was changed from a landscape conservation area to a nature reserve. Another natural attraction is the internationally significant “Lower Inn between Haiming and Neuhaus” wetland and nature reserve. It provides a habitat for migrating, wintering and breeding marsh and water birds; more than 25 bird species dependent on water and wetlands breed there. These examples highlight different aspects: the development of a protected area and the birdlife along the Lower Inn.

Leisure activities in the wider destination of Altötting also offer practical guidance. The nature trail in Altötting’s Gries has 10 different interactive stations along the stream. A circular walk in Altötting’s Gries is approximately 1.4 kilometres long. These provide two different points of reference for planning: the nature trail focuses on the stations and stream, while the circular walk offers an approximate distance.

For cycling tours, a popular variant of the Inn Cycle Path runs from Neuötting through Altötting and the extensive Öttinger Forest to the ducal town of Burghausen, then past the confluence of the Inn and Salzach rivers to Marktl. The section in the Inn-Salzach region is just over 75 kilometres long; current diversions may apply. Check the current route before setting out.

Altötting also offers notable examples of culture and history. St. Anne’s Basilica is the largest church in Altötting and can hold more than 8,000 people. The octagon of the Chapel of Grace probably dates from around the year 700 and is considered probably the oldest centrally planned building in Germany. The Golden Steed in the Altötting Treasury was made in the Parisian court workshops in 1404. At the Brother Conrad Museum, visitors can see the Old Gate and Brother Conrad’s death cell. Burghausen Castle adds to these cultural attractions in the wider destination of Altötting: it is 1,051 metres long and has six courtyards.

Perach bathing lake is also part of the wider destination of Altötting: the district lists it as one of its bathing lakes. If you include it in your plans, check the facilities and conditions before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Pleiskirchen, Tüßling, Neuötting, Perach, Emmerting, Reischach, Winhöring, Altötting.

Back to the wider travel overview: Altötting.