Obermaiselstein: Winter Hiking, Legends and Viehscheid
Accommodation in Obermaiselstein
For a winter stay in Obermaiselstein, the Idealhanglift offers a practice lift for children and beginners, as well as tobogganing. When snow conditions are suitable, the toboggan run is prepared. The operator stated that the lift was closed in the 2025/26 season. Before your trip, check current operations and snow conditions if you plan to use these facilities.
File:2024 Obermaiselstein Bolsterlang Bolgenkonglomerat 001.jpg
Photo: ManfRomeoWohlfahrt via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Winter Activities and Trails
Another winter option is the winter hiking trail to the Mittelalpe, in the vicinity of Obermaiselstein. The route offers views, cake and activities for younger visitors too. This gives you a different way to enjoy the outdoors alongside the snow-dependent activities at the Idealhanglift: winter hiking instead of the practice lift or tobogganing. Which option shapes your stay depends on whether you focus on the lift, tobogganing or the trail to the Mittelalpe.
There is a scheduled bus service from Obermaiselstein over the Riedberg Pass towards Balderschwang, stopping at Herzbergalpe, which provides access to another destination. No frequency or journey time is specified, so check the current timetable before travelling. The bus is a separate point to consider in your planning and is not the same as the winter hiking trail to the Mittelalpe.
The Beslerrunde follows a hiking trail up to the summit plateau of the Besler, Obermaiselstein’s local mountain. It offers a different focus from a winter hike to the Mittelalpe. Check current trail conditions before setting out. No walking time or difficulty level is specified here for this route.
Legends and Local Life
The Legends Trail in Obermaiselstein is available in both analogue and digital formats. Those interested in local legends can explore them in two different ways. Check the digital offering on site. The Sturmannshöhle cave near Obermaiselstein is associated with legends of a dragon and a hidden treasure of gold. These stories give the area an additional cultural connection, regardless of whether your trip focuses mainly on hiking or winter activities.
Another local event is the Viehscheid, the annual cattle descent. After the summer on the alpine pastures, around 1,300 cattle from 11 alpine farms are returned to their owners. The festival features cattle wearing polished bells, alpine herders and local people in traditional dress, music and food. Festival details may vary from year to year; check current event dates if you plan to attend. The Viehscheid thus adds a seasonal event to your plans, distinct from the trails and winter activities.
The Oberallgäu as a Wider Destination
The wider Oberallgäu destination also offers its own options for those interested in hiking and winter sports. In Oberstdorf, the World Cup trail network at the Nordic Centre Oberstdorf/Allgäu includes more than 30 different route variations. One of them is a 6.25-kilometre loop with the steep Burgstall climb; trail availability depends on the season. Oberstdorf also has 200 kilometres of hiking trails and nature trails. This information broadens the picture of the Oberallgäu and describes activities in Oberstdorf, while the trails, legends and local events described above provide orientation for Obermaiselstein.
Discover more destinations: Sonthofen, Bad Hindelang, Sulzberg, Buchenberg, Altusried, Burgberg Im Allgäu, Bolsterlang, Oberstaufen.
Back to the main travel guide: Oberallgäu.
