Buchenberg: Local History and Nature Trails

Buchenberg’s Local History

The old St. Nicholas Church in Buchenberg stands on the heights above the Glasbach valley. Its exact date of construction is unknown; much points to it having been built after 1122. This is not a confirmed year, but a cautious historical dating. The frescoes, by contrast, date from the first quarter of the 15th century. So two different time references are relevant to the local history: the construction date remains uncertain, while the frescoes can be assigned to a specific period. The church and frescoes thus combine a striking location above the valley with two distinct historical periods.

The Historic Farmsteads and Mills Trail, designed by the local history association, runs through the Glasbach valley. Information boards point out former sites. The trail thus brings the landscape’s former farmsteads and mills into focus. This is a different focus from that of the soil education trail: here, the subject is historic sites, not the functions of the soil.

Trails Exploring History and Soil

The soil education trail is a 1.6-kilometre circular route through Wirlinger Forest. Its nine stops explore the functions of the soil, and there are also soil profiles that visitors can walk through. The loop divides the nature-related theme into stops and visual exhibits. By contrast, the Historic Farmsteads and Mills Trail focuses on former sites in the Glasbach valley. The two trails therefore differ in their themes: one explores local history and past land use, the other soil functions and profiles. If you plan your time around your interests, these different focuses can help you decide, without having to treat the trails as equivalent experiences.

Stories at the Local History Museum

Buchenberg’s local history museum invites visitors of all ages to experience stories with all their senses, to be amazed, learn, and enjoy. This adds a museum perspective to the trail themes: while information boards point to former sites and the soil education trail explores nature-related topics, the museum puts stories and sensory experiences at the heart of the visit. Culture and nature enthusiasts can therefore find different points of interest during their stay.

Oberallgäu: Cross-Country Skiing, Views, and Nature

The broader Oberallgäu travel destination offers other themes rooted in their respective locations. Oberstdorf’s cross-country skiing options include the World Championship trail network at the Nordic Centre Oberstdorf/Allgäu, with more than 30 route options. One is a 6.25-kilometre loop with the steep Burgstall climb. Another attraction is the Heini Klopfer ski flying hill in Oberstdorf: visitors can tour it and take the tower lift to the viewing platform on the jump tower. These offer different experiences for different interests: cross-country skiing routes and views from a ski flying hill.

The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Centre is in Immenstadt-Bühl, right by Lake Alpsee. Its free-admission interactive exhibition explores animals, plants, their habitats, and the special features of the protected area; opening hours may vary by season. From Immenstadt station, you can reach the centre on foot in 30 minutes via the “Achis Water Trail” themed route. In bad weather, bus routes 39, 11, and 81 go there. Check current travel times and bus availability before setting out. Thus, in addition to cross-country skiing and the ski flying hill, the Oberallgäu also offers a nature park attraction at its own clearly named location.

Discover more destinations: Ahegg, Wiggensbach, Burgberg Im Allgäu, Obermaiselstein, Sonthofen, Balderschwang, Waltenhofen, Bolsterlang.

To the broader travel overview: Oberallgäu.