Rohrdorf: Orchard Meadows, St. James Art and the Alpine Foothills

Rohrdorf offers several distinct ways to plan a holiday: the Alpine foothills, with forests, meadows and lakes; orchard meadows and regional fruit products; and the Baroque Church of St. James the Elder, which stands on higher ground near the town hall and shapes the townscape. There are also hiking trails along the Rohrdorfer Ache and cycling routes from Rohrdorf to lakes, as well as along the Inn to neighbouring Tyrol. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether nature, local history, regional food or outdoor activities should shape your stay.

Orchard Meadows and Regional Delights

In 2018, Rohrdorf was named one of Bavaria’s 100 places of culinary excellence. An exceptionally large proportion of the town is covered by orchard meadows, and fruit processing produces regional goods. The orchards thus connect the landscape with regional products. This is a reason in its own right to consider Rohrdorf not only for its religious art and outdoor routes, but also for its regional delights.

Baroque Church and the Story of St. James

The Baroque hall church of St. James the Elder stands on higher ground near the town hall, and its location shapes the townscape. The present-day church was built between 1769 and 1773. Its high altar dates from 1712 and depicts a seated St. James, created by the Master of Rabenden. The construction period and the altar’s date reveal different historical layers. The Marian altar was erected by the Confraternity in 1724 and is also known as the “Altar of Sorrows.” The church also has an altar dedicated to St. Lawrence, which also serves as the altar of the All Souls’ Confraternity.

A painting in the nave depicts the rediscovery of the relics of St. James in the 9th century, the beginning of the veneration of St. James in the Western world, and the transfer of his remains to Compostela. A pilgrim cross made of Czech granite marks the way to Santiago de Compostela in Rohrdorf with a sign. In the district of Höhenmoos, the parish church of St. Peter and Paul is also located; it was first mentioned in written records in the 8th century.

Landscape, Hiking Trails and Cycling Routes

Rohrdorf’s Alpine foothills are characterised by extensive forests, lush meadows and numerous lakes. Nearby is the Samerberg, a high valley with designated nature reserves. Numerous well-maintained hiking trails run along the Rohrdorfer Ache, away from busy traffic routes. The riverside paths therefore offer a different perspective from the wider landscape.

From Rohrdorf, excellent cycling routes lead to numerous lakes and along the Inn to neighbouring Tyrol; these include the Lake Constance–Königssee Cycle Route. Hiking along the Ache and cycling to lakes or along the Inn offer different ways to focus your trip. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can consider which of these activities you’d like to make a bigger part of your stay.

Culture and Nature in the Wider Rosenheim Destination

The wider Rosenheim destination has additional cultural and natural history attractions. The museum in Amerang Castle offers insights into castle architecture and the history of the noble family. The Amerang Open-Air Museum, run by the District of Upper Bavaria, features farmhouses, craft buildings and technical installations from the Chiemgau region. The Moor Nature Trail, created in 2010 between Amerang and Halfing, explains how the moorland formed after the Ice Age and introduces the local flora and fauna.

Discover more destinations: Eiselfing, Wasserburg am Inn, Feldkirchen-Westerham, Pfaffing, Bad Endorf, Bad Aibling, Neubeuern, Raubling.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Rosenheim.