Schlehdorf between Monastery History and Moorland
Accommodation in Schlehdorf
Schlehdorf combines a long monastic history with cycling tours through the moor and Lake Kochel. The village offers a range of reasons to visit: you can focus on historical sites and church music, or explore the surrounding area by bike. What interests you most may also influence your choice of holiday apartment in Schlehdorf.
File:Der Kochelsee liegt unter einer geschlossenen Nebeldecke, davor Kloster Schlehdorf und einige Karwendel Gipfel im Hintergrund.jpg
Photo: Miosta via Source, CC BY 4.0
Monastic History in the Village Centre
Schlehdorf has a history spanning more than 1,250 years. Its first documented mention as “villa slehdorf” appears in the deed of foundation of Schlehdorf-Scharnitz Monastery, dated 29 June 763. The village’s later history is also visible in its centre: following a devastating fire in 1846, the village was almost completely destroyed. Its layout resembles a Roman fort; this structure dates back to the rebuilding after the fire.
If you enjoy discovering the history of the monastery and village through storytelling, you can try the digital audio walk “763 – A Monastery Village Through the Ages.” It has been available in Schlehdorf since summer 2025 and covers the original monastery, the monastery church and the history of the monastery. Alongside the historic sites, it offers a storytelling approach to the monastery’s past.
Churches, Organ and Concert Tradition
Guided tours of St. Tertulin Parish Church take place monthly. From July to October, monthly tours on the history of the monastery are also offered there. The parish church’s Baroque organ was completed in 1783 and is considered the only surviving sonic monument by Allgäu organ builder Franz Thoma of Aitrang. Music lovers can also explore Schlehdorf’s organ concert tradition: since its revival in autumn 2022, the Schlehdorf Organ Autumn has once again taken place regularly every September, featuring organ concerts.
Another historic feature can be found in Schlehdorf cemetery. The Church of the Cross, built in the 17th century, houses a Romanesque wooden crucifix dating from around 1200 AD. The parish church and the Church of the Cross thus represent different eras and offer culturally interested visitors specific points of interest during their stay.
Cycling Through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moos
The easy Monastery Loop begins and ends at the Gasthof Klosterbräu in Schlehdorf and is 23.54 km long. It passes through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moos, a protected landscape with rare flora and fauna. If you include the loop in your day’s plans, you can take its full distance into account. Schlehdorf is also a starting point for family-friendly cycling tours on flat paths through the Loisach-Kochelsee moors, whose extensive habitats provide a home for rare animal and plant species.
For a more challenging mountain bike ride, a route from Schlehdorf to the Herzogstandhaus is described, with an elevation gain of more than 1,000 metres. The destination is at 1,575 m. The Monastery Loop and this more demanding ride have very different profiles, allowing you to plan your trip around the kind of cycling experience you want without conflating the two types of tour.
KlosterGut, Moor and Lake
KlosterGut Schlehdorf lies between mountains and moorland, just a few minutes’ walk from Lake Kochel. It manages a total of 65 hectares of land, including biotopes and a lake. On the farm grounds below the historic monastery complex, KlosterGut operates an organic vegetable garden. These details reveal another side of the village, shaped by agriculture alongside its monastic and church history.
KlosterGut includes a farm shop and a café with outdoor seating. At the farm café, you can enjoy coffee and homemade cakes in the former sheepfold or outside. Out of season, the farm shop offers a limited selection of coffee and cake, also with outdoor seating. A 90-minute round trip on a motor vessel is also available from the landing stage in Schlehdorf on Lake Kochel.
Other Seasonal Options
In winter, what is available on the Reuterbühler cross-country ski trail depends on snow conditions. The loop is 5.2 km long and is groomed for skating and/or the classic technique, depending on conditions. Access points are on Unterauer Straße opposite the sports ground and on An der Breiten at the entrance to the village. This specific information can help you consider the trail as a possible addition to your plans without inferring other conditions from its length or grooming style.
When choosing your holiday apartment, you can consider which aspects of Schlehdorf you want to shape your trip: monastic history and organ concerts, cycling on flat paths through the moor, or a motor-vessel tour on Lake Kochel.
More Places to Explore
If you would like to explore more local pages: Sankt Heinrich, Reichersbeuern, Königsdorf, Münsing, Egling, Eurasburg, Icking and Sachsenkam.
For the wider travel overview: Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.
