Friesenried: Nature, Local History and the Ostallgäu

Bird Trail and Nature Watching

The Friesenried Bird Trail features 50 native bird species at 25 stations. The trail also includes a bird quiz, a Bandolino puzzle and a listening funnel. The stations combine learning about native bird species with a range of interactive features.

Since summer 2025, the bird trail has also featured a sandarium. This is an artificially created, sunny nesting site made of sand for ground-nesting wild bees and other insects. The nature theme therefore includes ground-nesting insects as well as birds. At the Vogelnest wooden pavilion, you can look inside nesting boxes through a tube.

The forest stage was set up as an extension of the Green Classroom at the LBV Bird Trail. Groups wishing to visit the Green Classroom can register with the Friesenried primary school office: 08347 207. Group visits therefore require advance registration.

Cross-Country Skiing, Cycling and Winter Sports in the Ostallgäu

The best-known cross-country ski trail in the municipality starts in Friesenried’s Aschthal valley. Use of the trail depends on the season. A cycling route with hardly any climbs runs from Lauchdorf through Friesenried to Bad Wörishofen. This makes for a clear distinction when planning: cross-country skiing within the municipality versus a cycling route through the town.

There are also cycling options at the regional level: the Ostallgäu Cycling Travel Region comprises themed regional routes that span the entire Ostallgäu. Each route is 25 to 76 kilometres long and consistently signposted. This is on a different scale from the individual cycling route through Friesenried: here, the focus is on a network of routes across the region.

For skiers, one option in the wider Ostallgäu destination is the Alpspitzbahn Nesselwang, which provides access to the descent around the 1,575-metre-high Alpspitz. The ski area offers family-friendly slopes and a children’s ski area. Operating conditions may vary by season. This regional context helps you distinguish the ski area from activities in Friesenried itself when planning your accommodation and excursions.

Churches and Local History

After the new church was built in 1929, St. Joseph’s Parish Church became the parish church for Friesenried and Salenwang. Its predecessor, the Baroque Josefskirche, built in 1695, was demolished and replaced by a modern, simple new building in 1929. The two dates therefore mark distinct construction phases: the Baroque predecessor and the later new building.

Near Friesenried and Salenwang stands the Church of St. Bartholomew and Cyriacus, consecrated on 29 October 1508. The choir, nave and church tower are Late Gothic, while the current furnishings are Late Baroque. The chapel on Riedberg is also located southeast of Friesenried. These historic sites complement the nature attractions with another focus for exploring the surrounding area.

Practical Information

The bird trail can be reached via the OAL3 and Road 2055. Parking is available at the car park in Aschthal in Königsberger Forest. Groups wishing to visit the Green Classroom can register through the Friesenried primary school office at 08347 207.

When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the main focus of your stay is the bird trail and local history, cross-country skiing within the municipality, or a regional ski area in the Ostallgäu. These options are in different geographical areas and can be considered separately when planning your trip.

For the wider travel overview: Eggenthal.