Buxheim: Charterhouse, Pond and Trails
Accommodation in Buxheim
Buxheim offers two distinct ways to enjoy a stay: the history of the charterhouse and nature experiences at Buxheimer Weiher. You can swim and stroll by the water, and there is also a forest adventure trail and hiking routes with different focuses. This lets you put culture, walks or longer hikes at the heart of your trip. When looking for a holiday apartment in Buxheim, this selection can help you decide what kind of trip you want.
The Charterhouse and Buxheim’s Architectural History
The Carthusian monks moved into the Alemannic settlement, founded more than 1,000 years earlier, in 1402 and built what is now the best-preserved Carthusian monastery complex in Germany. In 1548, the charterhouse was placed directly under the protection of the emperor, making it the only imperial abbey directly subject to the emperor in the German Empire. This special status adds a political dimension to the town’s long history.
The parish church of St Peter and Paul also offers a glimpse into the town’s architectural history: the Zimmermann brothers built it at the same time that they remodelled the charterhouse monastery in the Baroque style. Those interested in architecture and history will find several specific points of interest, from the older settlement history and the charterhouse’s status to the simultaneous construction of the church and monastery.
Water, Forest Adventure Trail and Hikes
You can swim and stroll by the water in the Buxheimer Weiher local recreation area. The Buxheim Forest Adventure Trail runs for 2.7 kilometres around the pond and is designed to let you experience nature with all your senses. The trail is also a starting point for hikes around the Buxheim forest ponds. This gives you the choice between a clearly defined loop by the water and other hikes in the forest pond area.
The Carthusian Trail has a different focus: this hiking route centres on the history of Buxheim. Another option is a tour of about eight kilometres, which takes roughly two hours depending on your pace. It starts on the northeast side of the town hall, close to the charterhouse, and leads via the Buxheim ponds and the Illerabbruchrunde trail, down steps to the Iller River, before returning to town along a straight section of the Iller Cycle Route. This means you can choose between the shorter loop by the pond and the longer tour based on the time available and the route; the longer route includes steps.
In September 2025, a closure and diversion notice was issued for this tour. Check current local information before setting out.
Buxheim in the Unterallgäu
For a broader perspective, it is worth looking at the wider travel destination of the Unterallgäu. The Iller River to the west and the Wertach River to the east form its natural boundaries. The Unterallgäu is easy to reach thanks to its location on the A7 and A96 motorways; an extensive road network, rail connections and Allgäu Airport in Memmingerberg add to its accessibility. Cycle routes and hiking trails throughout the district are uniformly signposted, and the Unterallgäu is also home to the Glückswege trails. This regional perspective complements the specific experiences in Buxheim without conflating them with attractions elsewhere in the Unterallgäu.
The Unterallgäu’s architectural heritage also offers its own points of interest: the Baroque basilica in Ottobeuren and Mindelburg Castle in Mindelheim are among the region’s significant historic buildings. The Fugger Castle in Kirchheim features the world-renowned Cedar Hall. These destinations broaden the view to the wider travel region; Buxheim’s own history can be experienced at the charterhouse and the parish church of St Peter and Paul.
Discover more destinations: Kirchheim in Schwaben, Dirlewang, Boos, Memmingen, Bad Grönenbach, Sontheim, Türkheim, Ettringen.
Back to the main travel overview: Unterallgäu.
