Brannenburg: Art Trails, History and Winter Landscapes

Artists’ Trail and High-Altitude Hike

The artists’ trail has 13 stops. The artworks draw attention to special features of nature and make the trail a meeting point of art and landscape. It is one of the five themed trails in the Wendelstein-Streifzüge community project. The starting point is the valley station of the Wendelstein rack railway.

The route is listed as 11.7 kilometres long, with 1,200 metres of elevation gain. The ascent takes about 3¾ hours and the descent about 3¼ hours. These details can help you plan the artists’ trail as a trip in its own right. If you are looking for a longer hike as well as artworks, you will find both along this trail; the elevation gain and approximate times provide useful guidance.

Pilgrimage History and Millstone Quarries

The early Baroque pilgrimage church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Biber dates back to a small church built in 1628/29 and consecrated in 1636. The Way of the Cross beside the church was added in 1733/1736. It has 15 stations and has been preserved largely in its original state. In summer, the former pilgrimage church offers views of the Riesenkopf and Maiwand.

The Brannenburg cultural walk connects local geological history with the development of the town: at various stops, it provides information about the beginnings of Degerndorf’s industrial history and millstone quarrying from the 9th century onwards. At the so-called Biberstein, the focus is on the geology of Nagelfluh conglomerate. Quarry work is also brought to life: three quarry companies on the Biber are taking part in a project featuring illustrative objects and information boards. Topics range from Nagelfluh blocks and millstone quarrying to wedge splitting and stone sawing techniques.

Other themed walking trails include the Biberrundweg and the Nußdorfer Mühlenweg. Both are part of the project on the millstone quarries in the Inn Valley. Together with the cultural walk, they offer different ways to explore the subject: information about geology, insights into quarrying and stone working, and trails that form part of the project.

Hiking and Winter in Brannenburg

On the edge of town, in the district of Milbing, you’ll find the free Erlach hiking car park. It is a starting point for hikes to the Riesenkopf and into the Wendelstein area. This provides another named starting point for planning hikes in the surrounding area, in addition to the artists’ trail starting at the valley station.

The scenic Riesenberg cross-country ski trail lies at the foot of the Riesenkopf. When snow and weather conditions are suitable, it is regularly groomed for classic cross-country skiing and skating over around 10 kilometres between Brannenburg and Flintsbach am Inn. This is important to bear in mind when planning a winter stay: the trail depends on snow and weather conditions. Snowshoeing is another way to experience the winter landscape.

When choosing your holiday apartment, your preferred focus may be the deciding factor: would you like to combine art with a high-altitude hike, explore the history of the pilgrimage church and millstone quarries, or experience Brannenburg in winter? Bear the starting points mentioned above in mind, and check the snow and weather conditions for the ski trail. This will help you find accommodation that suits the experiences most important to your trip.

More Destinations

Chiemsee, Eggstätt, Nußdorf Am Inn, Grosskarolinenfeld, Gstadt Am Chiemsee, Amerang, Stephanskirchen and Flintsbach Am Inn.

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