Rieden am Forggensee: Lake, Trails and Chapels
Accommodation in Rieden am Forggensee
Rieden am Forggensee combines waterside attractions with trails, a distinctive landform and traces of local culture. In Dietringen, you’ll find the bathing area on Lake Forggensee and landmarks along the Via Claudia; in Rieden, churches and chapels take centre stage. Lake Faulensee also offers another option for an outing. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment, you can decide whether the lake, walking trails, nature or local history should be the defining feature of your holiday.
Der Faulensee liegt im Wald und ist ein ruhiges Ausflugsziel bei Rieden am Forggensee.
Photo: Claus-Eckhard Kraemer via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
On Lake Forggensee: bathing area and boat trips
There is a landing stage for Forggensee boat trips at the Dietringen bathing area from 1 June to 15 October. These stated seasonal dates may change. If you’re planning a trip, check the timetable in advance for your travel dates. This lets you factor the seasonal landing stage into your day’s plans.
Circular trails with different routes
A circular trail leads from the Dietringen bathing area towards Tiefenthal and follows in the footsteps of the Via Claudia. The sunny Dietringer Alm circular trail connects the district of Dietringen, located on Lake Forggensee, with Rieden am Forggensee. The two trails differ in their route descriptions: one starts at the bathing area and heads towards Tiefenthal, while the other connects Dietringen and Rieden. If you’re factoring outings into your choice of holiday apartment, these starting points and destinations may help you decide.
A kettle hole and traces of history
The Dietringen district is home to a kettle hole, a small, completely enclosed depression. It formed when a block of dead ice was buried and subsequently thawed. Its origins offer a different perspective on the landscape than the lake and trails: here, the focus is on a geological feature shaped by the processes surrounding a block of dead ice.
A milestone stands on the shore of Lake Forggensee in Dietringen, along the Via Claudia Augusta. In Rieden am Forggensee are the parish church of the Holy Five Wounds and the Maria Magdalena votive chapel. The Maria Magdalena Chapel is accessible only on foot or by bicycle. In 2004/2005, carpenter Johann Streif, together with many helpers, built a chapel on a sandstone outcrop southwest of Rieden. It was built to give thanks for surviving a severe illness that lasted seven years. The cultural points of interest therefore range from a milestone on the Via Claudia to a chapel with a specific story behind its origins.
Lake Faulensee: access and amenities
Lake Faulensee has a shallow, non-swimmer area where children can safely spend time. The lake is accessible only on foot or by bicycle. There is a car park at Höllmühle, about 800 metres away. If you’re planning a day at Lake Faulensee, keep this access information in mind when deciding how to get there. Raini’s Faulensee hut serves homemade cakes and Bavarian specialities.
The wider region: Ostallgäu
In the wider travel destination of Ostallgäu, Lake Forggensee is described as covering more than 15 km², making it Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir. Forggensee boat trips run regular tours there during the summer season. If you’re planning a trip, check the timetable and dates for your travel period.
Cycling and hiking options also extend across Ostallgäu. The Ostallgäu Cycling Travel Region comprises regional routes that span the entire area. Each is 25 to 76 kilometres long, signposted throughout and has its own theme. For hiking, Ostallgäu has 32 local routes showcasing special natural and local treasures. This regional selection offers a wider planning framework alongside the specific trails described in Dietringen and Rieden.
Discover more destinations: Nesselwang, Obergünzburg, Germaringen, Ronsberg, Halblech, Füssen, Pforzen, Lechbruck Am See
Return to the regional travel overview: Ostallgäu.
