Ohlstadt: Heimgarten, Waterfalls and Local History
Accommodation in Ohlstadt
Ohlstadt lies at the foot of the 1,790-metre-high Heimgarten and on the edge of the Murnauer Moos nature reserve. A reconstructed grinding mill, the Hagrain Chapel and the studio at the Kaulbach Villa bring a variety of cultural and historical themes to the village. When choosing a holiday apartment, this mix mainly comes down to the kind of vacation you want: should your stay focus on mountain hikes and streams, or would you also like to explore craftsmanship and art history? Ohlstadt offers specific points of interest for both, without every day having to look the same.
Mountain, Moor and Mountain Stream
The circular trail to the Kaltwasser Waterfalls follows the Kaltwasserlaine and offers views of the mountain stream and its romantic cascades. If you would like to include a route along a stream in your day’s plans, this loop offers a clearly defined destination. Trail conditions can vary, so it is a good idea to check the latest conditions before setting out. Ohlstadt also lies on the edge of the Murnauer Moos nature reserve. Together with the Heimgarten at the foot of the village, this brings contrasting landscapes into focus: a mountain stream, a moorland area and a mountain.
Hikes on the Heimgarten
The Heimgarten is the main mountain accessible from Ohlstadt; its hut is open in summer. Nearby, the ridge hike from the Heimgarten to the Herzogstand crosses the 1,790-metre-high Heimgarten and the 1,731-metre-high Herzogstand. The hike is listed as taking about 1.5 hours. Unlike the loop to the Kaltwasser Waterfalls, this ridge hike leads from one named mountain destination to the next. After the hike, you can return to Ohlstadt by taking the chairlift from the Herzogstand to Walchensee, followed by a bus via Kochel. Check current lift and bus services before setting out.
Chapel, Mill and Art
The Hagrain Chapel was built in 1765 and is dedicated to Saint Stephen, the patron saint of whetstone makers. Its dedication gives the building a specific connection to local craftsmanship. A grinding mill has been reconstructed based on a historical model. Visitors can learn about it on regular opening days; opening arrangements vary by season, so check the dates before travelling. The studio at the Kaulbach Villa now serves as a museum, presenting the themes and working methods of the artist Friedrich August von Kaulbach. The village’s history thus encompasses both craftsmanship and the art of an individual painter.
Demonstrations, presentations and stud farm shows are held throughout the year at the Schwaiganger Main and State Stud. Carriage rides and horse-drawn sleigh rides are also offered at the stud farm. If you are planning around one of these rides, confirm current availability before your trip.
Ohlstadt Family Swimming Pool
The family swimming pool has a combined swimming and non-swimming pool, a children’s paddling pool, a 12,000-square-metre sunbathing lawn, a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court. For families with children, the paddling pool and playground are specific features of the facilities; the sunbathing lawn and combined pool round out the offer. Check current opening hours before making firm plans for a day at the pool.
Other Highlights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The wider destination of Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers its own landscape and cultural highlights. At the Partnach Gorge, visitors can experience towering rock walls and the water rushing below; in 1912, the gorge was declared a natural monument and opened to visitors. The Richard Strauss Institute is housed in the historic Villa Christina in Partenkirchen’s spa gardens and features a permanent exhibition about Strauss’s life and work. These examples offer a regional comparison with Ohlstadt’s Heimgarten, waterways and local history.
Discover more destinations: Eschenlohe, Großweil, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bad Kohlgrub, Mittenwald, Farchant, Grainau, Seehausen am Staffelsee.
Return to the main travel guide: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
