Theme trail - grotto trail, the puzzle trail

From the Döttenbichl towards the New cemetery The grotto path leads along the Kofel to one shell-like cavity with several rock carvings.

Among the many poorly readable carvings, a few depictions are particularly striking: a face and the letters PA could be from the Middle Ages originate and a Ban sign represent. One Devil's face and a face in a halo that resembles the image of a Source God corresponds, are also clearly visible.

As you continue hiking along the grotto path, a mighty, steep rock face rises directly above you. The one in front of you Mary's Grotto shows that a spiritual feeling has always been associated with this place. She is the one Lourdes grotto and was founded in 1898 by the Schilcher couple because of a vow.

We continue until we reach a smooth, steep wall that stretches across the path to the left. Here you can mainly find rock carvings from the 18th century. They probably were Votive symbol. This means that the carvings were made on the occasion of personal events (e.g. the birth of a child, surviving an illness or a natural disaster) and are related to the Christian faith. Most are dated and bear a cross.

As you continue walking you will see a striking boulder on the right: the Ambronenstein. The carved coat of arms goes back to the elite citizens' association "Die Ambronen", which was named after the Celtic tribe of the Ambronen. The members met for their regulars' table in the former Ambronia inn (today Maxbräu in Oberammergau).

The last stop on the way is the Malenstein with most enigmatic rock carvings. The most noticeable one is about four meters high carved "Roman head" with helmet. These include ancient symbols that can be found throughout the Alpine region and whose origins date back to the Middle Ages and the Roman period goes back

Among other things, you will also find your double square, whose distribution extends to Lombardy. It is possible that this sign served as a route marker for Roman soldiers or those who were surrounded by legends “Venedigermandln”, who searched for ores for Venetian glass production in the northeastern Alpine region. They appeared here in Ammertal around 1480.

If you look closely, you can see many other signs: for example, a lion's head or a double-headed eagle, a druid's foot standing on top, which indicates occultism, or a heart symbol.