Roßhaupten: Village History, Trails and Lake Forggensee
Accommodation in Roßhaupten
Local history, trails of varying lengths and Lake Forggensee give you concrete points of reference for planning a stay in Roßhaupten. The trails differ in duration and difficulty, making it easy to adapt them to your planned day.
Local History and the Via Claudia Augusta
The village museum in the Pfannerhaus showcases village life in days gone by and traditional crafts. It also covers the history of four notable sons of Roßhaupten and the manufacture of artificial flowers by entrepreneurs who were expelled from the Sudetenland after the Second World War. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the Via Claudia Augusta, the historic Roman imperial road between Donauwörth, Altino near Venice and Ostiglia on the River Po. Roßhaupten is also home to an information centre about the Via Claudia Augusta.
The Maria Steinach chapel can also be placed in its historical context: the small Baroque chapel was built around 1650 by Matheis Holl, rebuilt soon afterwards to plans by Johann Jakob Herkomer and completed in 1706 by Joseph Miller from Rettenbach. The altar, dating from around 1710, depicts the Visitation of Mary; the interior contains wooden figures from the 18th century. From Maria Steinach, 14 Stations of the Cross lead to the summit of Kalvarienberg.
Circular Trails and Viewpoints
The Dragon Trail is a heritage-themed experience trail for adults and children. The circular route takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. You can start at the car park by the Kurpark on the southern edge of Roßhaupten or at the Forggensee boat landing. If you start from the town centre, allow for a short additional walk to the trail. Sights along the way include the legend of St Magnus, the stone cross, the stone bridge dragon at Tiefental and the little dragon fountain in the valley.
For a shorter circular walk, consider the Moosenweg: this 2.8-kilometre hike leads from the church in the town centre to the edge of town and back. It takes about 45 minutes and has an elevation difference of 15 metres. The Dragon Trail focuses on local heritage stops and a longer walking time, while the Moosenweg offers a shorter loop with a stated distance and elevation difference.
The climb to the Buch-Zwieselberg viewpoint takes about an hour. From the western edge of town, the path climbs steeply via forest tracks, a narrow footpath and a bridge. Sturdy footwear and sure-footedness are required. At the top, there is a cross and a panoramic information board; the viewpoint offers panoramic views across the hiking region. This climb should therefore be planned differently from the two circular trails.
Via Claudia Circular Trail and Lake Forggensee
A milestone at the Hartenberg viewpoint and the art park of the same name on Forggenseestraße commemorate the old Roman road along the Via Claudia circular trail. A short detour leads to the renovated St Ulrich Fish House Chapel. The key is available next door on request.
From the beach in Roßhaupten on Lake Forggensee, you can see across the lake to the royal castles, the peaks of the Ammergau Alps and Säuling. According to the local tourism website, the beach is suitable for swimming, snorkelling and diving. There is a Forggensee boat landing at the Roßhaupten power station. If you are planning a boat trip, check the current timetable. The tourist information office in Roßhaupten provides information on cycling and hiking trails and offers maps; check the latest service details when making specific plans.
Nearby
The Senkele Nature Trail starts at a forest car park on the district road between Roßhaupten and Seeg and leads to the Senkele Forest House. Walking time one way is about 30 minutes. Information boards along the trail offer child-friendly insights into forests, wood, water and geology. Its starting point between the two towns makes the trail a separate option nearby.
Skiing in the wider Ostallgäu region
The wider travel destination of Ostallgäu also offers skiing in Nesselwang: the Alpspitzbahn provides access to the ski run around the 1,575-metre-high Alpspitz. The ski area has family-friendly slopes and a children's ski park. This information relates to Nesselwang; operating conditions may vary by season. Check the latest information if you are planning to visit these facilities.
Discover more destinations: Rieden am Forggensee, Eisenberg, Pfronten, Eggenthal, Lechbruck am See, Stötten am Auerberg, Nesselwang, Westendorf.
Back to the regional travel overview: Ostallgäu.
