The Benedict Pilgrimage Route in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park

From the parish church via Kienzerleweg and Achelestraße you will reach the first station after approx. 600 m. Approximately 300 m after the Eckfilz you reach a large meadow area on the left; On the right is the whetstone ridge. After the scattered meadows we head towards Acheleschwaig and through the Schwepbachschlucht towards Altenau. There via the Untere Dorfstrasse and the Eckweg towards Ammer. In total about 6 km. After 750 m you can see the Kochelfilz. About 700m after the Kochelfilz station turn right over the Ammerbrücke to Scherenau. Turn left there into Scherenauer Straße and after approx. 300 m keep left at the fork in the road (Eschfeld). After a total of about 1,6 km, just before Unterammergau, the former flood basin is reached. In Unterammergau, turn left at the Gasthof Stern towards B23. Cross this and the railway crossing. Via the Weiherweg to the Feuchtenrainweg (=Alherrenweg). After about 2,8 km you will reach the Pulvermoos station, from which you can look out over this moorland area. After 400m the hillside moor is reached. Past the Romanshöhe mountain restaurant, turn sharp left about 200 m after it and after another 100 m you reach a very species-rich mountain meadow. Total approx. 1,4 km. After about 500m turn right down the mountain to Oberammergau. Pass the church on König-Ludwig-Straße and cross the Ammer. After 1,1 km along the Ammer, there is a right turn towards Falkenwand. Approximately 900 m after the climbing garden, a path turns left through the Ettaler Weidmoos. You take this after a detour to the Kleine Ammerquelle. To get to these, you continue on the previous path for 130 m, cross the road and after another approx. 180 m you reach the headwaters of the Kleine Ammerquelle. Total approx. 5,9 km. Take the same path back to the junction to the right through the Ettaler Weidmoos. The next station is approx. 140 m after the junction (450 m from the Kleine Ammerquelle). After the Ettaler mill, keep right, cross the state road and then turn left onto the forest edge path towards Ettal. Total approx. 1,2 km. After about 1,5 km along the edge of the forest, the path turns sharply left and leads across a meadow to Ettal. Total approx. 2,2 km.

STATIONS

1 corner felt at Saulgrub

The Eckfilz near Saulgrub is a raised moor which, in contrast to fens, is only fed by rainfall water. Extreme conditions prevail in intact raised bogs due to the high water level and low pH value. Dead plant parts are not completely decomposed, resulting in peat. Huge amounts of CO2 are stored in peat. Drainage and peat mining release greenhouse gases and destroy habitats of rare species in the moors. It is therefore important to help protect the moors. Species adapted to the nutrient-poor habitat, such as the turf rush (Trichophorum cespitosum) and the white-billed reed (Rhynchospora alba), grow on the main peat-forming moss. Special features in the corner felt are occurrences of the carnivorous common sundew (Drosera intermedia) and the highly endangered flower rush (Scheuchzeria palustris).

2 meadows near Saulgrub

Litter meadows, which often grow on wet sites, are typical companions of moors. Their great biodiversity is partly caused by humans. Extensive grazing, i.e. mowing once a year and avoiding the use of fertilizers ensure that many different plant species thrive. Without mowing, reeds would grow up or bushes would become encroached. In damp places, evidence of moorland such as the carnivorous round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) or the cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) can be found. In spring, globe flowers (Trollius europaeus), primroses (Primula farinosa), various orchids and fever clover (Menyanthes trifoliata) can be admired here. Wartbiters (Decticus verruccivorus), which are one of our largest grasshopper species, also occur in the litter meadows.

3 The bunting

The origin of the Ammer is the Linder in the Ammer Mountains, which near Ettal, together with the Kleine Ammerquelle, becomes the Ammer. The Ammer is a reasonably intact Alpine river that is not broken up by any storage facilities or large power plants. The bunting is particularly valuable in the upper reaches, where it still has large areas with gravel banks on which, for example, the sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) lays its eggs. In addition, the ravine forests, moors and meadows that accompany the course of the river are of outstanding biodiversity value. For example, the monkshood buttercup (Ranunculus aconitifolius) and the great meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) bloom on the edge of the bank. Fish species such as grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and bullhead (Cottus gobio) find a habitat in the river.

4 Kochelfilz nature reserve

The Kochelfilz nature reserve (approx. 80 hectares) near Unterammergau is a largely natural moor. In addition to the Filz (=high moor), it also houses transitional moors (transition from low to high moor) and litter meadows. On the latter, for example, the Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and the spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) can be viewed in spring. There are also 38 endangered or critically endangered flowering plant species found in the valley floor moor. The Davalls sedge (Carex davalliana), the primrose (Primula vulgaris) and the common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) grow in places with lime-rich water. Moors also represent an important refuge for larger mammal species, where they can find both cover and food. In addition to roe deer, red deer also regularly occur in Kochelfilz.

5 Former flood basin of the Ammer

Near the Unterammergau sewage treatment plant, species-rich litter meadows can be found in a former flood basin of the Ammer, which has been straightened like a canal in this section. The cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum), the snake knotweed (Bistorta officinalis) and the greater meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) appear noticeably frequently on a slightly more nutrient-rich and vigorous substrate. The section towards the Schleifmühllaine is wet and poor in nutrients and is characterized by a weakly growing, predominantly lime-poor fen. This area is characterized by a primrose rush, in which, for example, the swamp heartleaf (Parnassia palustris) and the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) grow.

6 powder moss

The valley bottom spring moor Pulvermoos, which is important throughout Bavaria, stretches between Unterammergau and Oberammergau. A special feature is the direct connection between mountain meadows and the moor area. Mountain and moorland meadows are maintained by numerous farmers, which represents a great cultural achievement. In the herb-rich meadows, for example, brown hares (Lepus europaeus) find good and, above all, healthy food, which is no longer the case elsewhere due to extensive intensive grassland or arable farming. In places where there is flooding, such as on the edges of ditches, stands of the Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) can be found. Ice Age relics have also survived in the Pulvermoos. The rare Charlemagne's scepter (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum), the shrub birch (Betula humilis) and the blueberry willow (Salix myrtilloides) grow here.

7 hillside bogs

The foot of the slope of the Aufacker-Hörnle mountain range is characterized by structurally and very species-rich areas. In addition to mountain meadows, streams and spring rivulets also run through the slopes. Terraced sintering occurs at the source horizons. This is a mineral deposit of lime, which is precipitated from the emerging water with the help of mosses and forms crust-like coatings. This is how small flat or sloping bogs developed here. In spring you can see the primroses (Primula farisnosa) and later the highly endangered lung gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe), the alpine helmet (Bartsia alpina) and the very rare black gentian (Gentiana utriculosa).

8 Bergwiese - Ammergauer Wiesmahd

Along the Altherrenweg there are numerous mountain meadows that have a high level of biodiversity and are called “WiesmahdHänge”. The name refers to the traditional extensive form of cultivation in which the meadows are not fertilized and are only mowed once a year, in July or August. The medicinal species (Betonica officinalis) and the oxeye (Buphthalmum salicifolium) form the aspect in some areas. The strictly protected and rare arnica (Arnica montana) shows soil acidity in places. The diversity of insects is also very pronounced on these slopes. Many different species of butterflies such as the checkerboard (Melanargia galathea) or the tree white butterfly (Aporia crataegi) can be observed here regularly.

9 Small Ammerquellen

The water from the small Ammer springs comes largely from seepage from the Linder west of Graswang. This water appears again here. Starting from around 30 spring pots, some of which are quite deep and up to four meters wide, the low moor spring streams unite to form the Kleine Ammer. The hairy-leaved water buttercup (Ranunculus trichophyllus) and dense populations of chard algae (Characeae) grow in the spring streams, which are an indicator of particularly clean water. The mottled grass (Molinia caerulea) and the endangered swallowwort gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea) regularly occur in the surrounding meadows. In addition, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and eagle owl (Bubo bubo), which breed on nearby rocks, use the meadows as hunting grounds.

10 Ettaler Weidmoos

The Ettaler Weidmoos, together with the Pulvermoos (Station 6), represents one of the most important valley meadow biotopes in the Bavarian Alpine region. The moor complex was created by the silting up of the former post-glacial Ammertal Lake. For the most part it is a fen, in which there are sometimes slightly curved transitional moor humps with a tendency towards raised moor. A special feature in the Schlenken, which are very wet places in the moor, is the swamp club moss (Lycopodiella inundata). In the bunting that runs through the Weidmoos, the pine fronds (Hippuris vulgaris) grow in some slow-flowing places. Singing male rosefinches (Carpodacus erythrinus) are often found in spring.

11 mountain forest 

Mountain forests not only provide a habitat for animals and plants, but also provide an important protective function against avalanches and mudslides for people in the valleys. The local mixed forest at the transition to the valley floor is characterized by, among other things, sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies). The poisonous uniberry (Paris quadrifolia) and the rare narrow-leaved forest bird (Cephalanthera longifolia), a type of orchid, also grow here. Commonly found in mixed beech forests are the golden nettle (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) and the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis). Studies in recent years have shown that the three-toed woodpeckers (Picoides tridactylus) and the white-backed woodpeckers (Dendrocopos leucotos), which are found almost exclusively in the Alps, have exceptionally high populations here.

12 Ettal Monastery

As a Benedictine monastery, Ettal Monastery is part of the long tradition of Benedictine faith and life. The baroque design of the basilica aims to bring the heavenly glory, the fullness of life, down to earth. The winter church represents a contrast to the baroque splendor. The altar rests on twelve glass columns - symbols of the 12 disciples of Jesus - with the inscription “Light” in different languages; this is also a sign of diversity. The 13th pillar in the middle made of gold - a symbol of Christ who creates unity - bears the Greek inscription "phos - zoe" (light - life). Jesus Christ promises the “fullness of life” (John 10,10:5,13) and calls his disciples to be “light of the world” (Matt XNUMX:XNUMX). At the same time, this is also a call to today's followers of Christ and is realized, for example, in a commitment to a fairer world and a responsible approach to creation. The diversity of life, which can be experienced in great abundance on this St. Benedict pilgrimage, can in turn be an enrichment for people and enable us to experience God in his creation. 

Welcome to Teststubn Nature Park! With us you can extensively test hiking poles, daypacks, children's carriers and groceries from well-known manufacturers before you decide to buy. Let our team advise you on how to experience the best outdoor adventure possible. Our Teststubn Nature Park can be found in the tourist information Bad Bayersoien and Bad kohlgrub and in the  Bike rental Lukas Spindler in Oberammergau.

Mehr Informationen: www.ammergauer-alpen.de/teststubn

A95, B23 via Oberammergau, Unterammergau to Saulgrub 

B17, B23 over Echelsbacher Bridge to Saulgrub

Bürgersaal parking lot, Saulgrub

The Ammergau Alps Nature Park supports environmentally friendly travel and is a member of the cooperation with Deutsche Bahn Destination nature

www.fahrtziel-natur.de

Bus stop: Saulgrub Bürgersaal Almrösl

Bus route 9606 Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Oberammergau - Wieskirche - Füssen

Train stop: Saulgrub train station Murnau - Saulgrub - Oberammergau

Guests of the Ammergau Alps Nature Park travel with the electronic guest card or the KönigsCard free by bus and train.

View and/or order brochures

Benjamin U. Schwarz “Biological diversity meets creation spirituality” The most beautiful pilgrimage routes in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district

224 Seiten

ISBN 978-3-96238-221-6

TIP: Hiking map Ammergau Alps Nature Park available in the online shop or in the tourist information in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park

App Pilgrimage routes GAP available for free on Google Play 

Multi-day hike Meditation Trail Ammergau Alps and Blue Land www.meditationsweg.bayern 

In an emergency, please contact the nearest rescue control center. Regardless of your location, you can reach them throughout Germany at Telephone number 112.