Brannenburg: Cultural Trails and Cross-Country Skiing

Artists’ Trail: Art and Nature Along the Route

The Artists’ Trail has 13 stops where artworks highlight distinctive features of nature. It is 11.7 kilometres long and has 1,200 metres of elevation gain. The ascent takes about 3¾ hours and the descent about 3¼ hours. Together, these approximate times add up to around seven hours for the ascent and descent—a practical guide for planning your day. The trail begins at the valley station of the Wendelstein rack railway and is one of five themed trails in the Wendelstein-Streifzüge joint project.

Pilgrimage Church of St Mary Magdalene and the Way of the Cross

The early Baroque pilgrimage church of St Mary Magdalene on the Biber in Brannenburg dates back to the construction of a small church in 1628/29; it was consecrated in 1636. The Way of the Cross was added in 1733/1736. The chronology therefore extends from the construction of the small church to the later addition of the Way of the Cross. In summer, the former pilgrimage church offers views of the Riesenkopf and the Maiwand.

Cultural Walk and the History of Millstones

At various stops, the Brannenburg Cultural Walk provides information about the geology of Nagelfluh conglomerate at the so-called Biberstein, as well as the beginnings of Degerndorf’s industrial history and millstone quarrying from the 9th century onwards. The Biber Circular Trail and the Nußdorf Mill Trail in Brannenburg are also part of the project on the millstone quarries in the Inn Valley. In addition, three quarrying companies at the Biber are participating in a project featuring display objects and information boards. Topics range from Nagelfluh blocks and millstone quarrying to wedge splitting and stone-sawing techniques.

Cross-Country Skiing and Seasonal Information

The Riesenberg cross-country ski trail is at the foot of the Riesenkopf, between Brannenburg and Flintsbach am Inn. When snow and weather conditions are suitable, it is regularly groomed for classic cross-country skiing and skating over a distance of about 10 kilometres. Grooming therefore depends on conditions; check them before setting out. Snowshoeing is another way to experience the winter landscape, although actual conditions for this are also weather-dependent.

For hikes to the Riesenkopf and in the Wendelstein area, the free Erlach hiking car park is a starting point. It is on the outskirts of Brannenburg in the district of Milbing. This clearly distinguishes the winter activities described: the trail is a cross-country skiing option subject to conditions, while Erlach is described as a starting point for hikes.

Cultural Attractions in the Wider Rosenheim Destination

The wider Rosenheim destination offers other cultural and nature-related attractions, including options in Amerang. The museum in Amerang Castle provides insights into the castle’s architecture and the history of its aristocratic family. The Amerang Farmhouse Museum, run by the District of Upper Bavaria, showcases farmhouses, craft buildings and technical facilities from the Chiemgau region. The Amerang Open-Air Museum offers individual guided tours and group options; group visits may require advance arrangements. Established in 2010, the Moorland Nature Trail between Amerang and Halfing explains how the moorland landscape formed after the Ice Age, as well as the local flora and fauna.

Discover more destinations: Frasdorf, Neubeuern, Raubling, Kiefersfelden, Oberaudorf, Nußdorf Am Inn, Bad Aibling, Feldkirchen-Westerham

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Rosenheim.