From easy riverside paths along the Ammer to the demanding summit route on the Kofel: Oberammergau sits right in the middle of the Ammergauer Alpen Nature Park, Bavaria's youngest and, at roughly 227 square kilometres, largest contiguous nature reserve. Over 500 kilometres of trails open up a landscape of moors, mountain forests and the near-natural course of the river Ammer. Whatever your fitness level and whatever the season, there's a route here for you.
Staying at Ferienhaus Baumberger gives you a decisive advantage: most of the trails featured here start right in Oberammergau or are just a few minutes' drive away. No long approach, no early alarm to grab a good parking spot. That's exactly why we send our own guests off right after breakfast.
The perfect starting point, even for families with small children, or as a relaxed arrival day. From the cemetery car park in Oberammergau, the path follows the Ammer through the Ettaler Weidmoos, a designated nature reserve between Oberammergau and Ettal. This is where the Ammer's springs rise, numerous bird species nest in the wet meadows, and with a bit of luck you might even spot rare orchids along the way.
Character: flat, wide paths, no notable elevation gain
Duration: 1 to 2 hours depending on the loop chosen
Highlight: water-rich landscape, many views of the surrounding mountains, walkable year-round
To extend the loop, follow the Ammer further toward Ettal Abbey, passing the historic crucifixion group, the Kälberplatte and the Bärenhöhle, with a chance to stop for refreshments right at the baroque abbey.
A lovely middle ground for anyone wanting more exercise without venturing into scrambling terrain. From the car park at the Kolbenbahn, the route follows the Grottenweg along the Ammer, with views across the entire Ammer valley. If you like, stop along the way at the Kolbensattelhütte (1,276 m) or the Kolbenalm (1,040 m).
Character: moderate climb, well-maintained paths
Elevation: between 840 m (Oberammergau) and around 1,258 m (Kolbensattel)
Highlight: two refreshment stops along the way, combinable with the Kolbenbahn cable car in summer
The Kofel (1,342 m) is Oberammergau's landmark, the striking rocky peak that rises above the rooftops right from the village centre. The route to it is among the most popular in the entire region, and Komoot lists it as the most-hiked tour around Oberammergau.
The start is at the cemetery car park in Oberammergau. The path first leads gently through the forest to the Döttenbichl, a hill steeped in history: remains of a Celtic cult site and relics of a Roman army that camped here in 15 BC during its Alpine campaign have been found here. Shortly after, you pass the Mariengrotte, a devotional site modelled on the Grotto of Lourdes, before many switchbacks through beautiful mixed mountain forest bring you up to the Kofelsattel (1,215 m).
Up to this point, the tour is an easy to moderate mountain hike. From the Kofelsattel, the character changes markedly: the final ascent to the summit is well secured with steel cables, but requires sure-footedness and a head for heights: light scrambling, no longer plain hiking. Sturdy footwear and dry conditions are a requirement here, not just a recommendation.
The reward: from the summit, the view stretches across the entire Ammer valley, and on a clear day as far as the surrounding mountains.
Those doing the full loop don't descend the same way, but return to Oberammergau via the Kolbensattel and the Grottenweg: according to Komoot, roughly 11.2 kilometres in total with about 4 hours 20 minutes of walking time. Those who only want to reach the summit and back manage the shorter variant (about 4.3 km, 435 m elevation gain) in roughly half the time.
For guests travelling with a dog, a more relaxed alternative to the Kofel tour is the roughly 4.9-kilometre "Waldi" dog walk in the Ammergauer Alpen Nature Park: an easy loop with no scrambling, ideal for a short afternoon outing right from Oberammergau. For more tips on holidaying with your four-legged friend, see our article on holidaying with a dog.
Those who prefer walking at a calm pace over collecting summits will find a very different way to get to know the region on the Ammergauer Alpen Meditation Trail. Maintained by the Ammergauer Alpen Nature Park association, this long-distance trail runs roughly 85 kilometres from the Wieskirche (a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Steingaden) to Linderhof Palace in the Graswang valley, split into 6 daily stages with 15 stations. Each station has its own information stele for a moment of reflection.
One stage is especially interesting for guests of Ferienhaus Baumberger: the roughly 18.8-kilometre section from Bad Kohlgrub to Oberammergau. It leads directly to the Passion Play Theatre, the crucifixion group and the Döttenbichl, the very same stations already mentioned above on the Kofel route. Here, the Meditation Trail runs practically parallel to a route you already know from this article, just at a much gentler pace.
For something shorter: the winter stage from Kappel (Unterammergau) to the Passion Play Theatre in Oberammergau measures 6.31 kilometres and 189 metres of elevation gain, walkable in about 1 hour 49 minutes, a good option for a short afternoon stroll. Despite its name, the trail isn't a purely religious pilgrimage route: it links religious and cultural waypoints such as Ettal Abbey and the Fatima Chapel. You don't have to be religious to walk it, as the nature park's own website puts it, and we can only agree.
Parking: Most of the tours featured here start at the cemetery car park or the car park at the Kolbenbahn, both reachable within a few minutes from the holiday house.
Arriving without a car: Those who prefer bus and train can reach Oberammergau via the regional train from Munich via Murnau, handy for anyone who'd like a glass of wine in the evening without worrying about driving.
Stopping for refreshments: Kolbensattelhütte, Kolbenalm and the Berggaststätte Romanshöhe make good stops on the moderate and demanding routes.
Current trail conditions: The Ammergauer Alpen Nature Park association posts closures and current notices on its website, for example after storms or during the alpine grazing season.
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Whether a relaxed riverside stroll or an ambitious summit tour: from Ferienhaus Baumberger you'll reach every trail featured here in no time, and after a long day in the mountains, your own sauna and wood-burning stove are waiting for you.
Sources: Ammergauer Alpen Nature Park association · Ammergauer Alpen GmbH · AllTrails (Kofel from Oberammergau) · Komoot (Hiking around Oberammergau)