Benediktbeuern: Trails, Moorland and Monastery Culture

The Monastery Grounds and History

The meditation garden is located on the west side of the Maierhof. Its layout is based on the floor labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral. The Monastery of Benediktbeuern is also home to the Documentation Centre of the Bavarian Mountain Riflemen. There, more than 500 years of Bavarian history, tradition and customs are presented.

The Benediktbeuern audio trail also takes you through stories about the village. The audio guide includes eleven stops and covers, among other topics, Mariabrunn, Fraunhofer and the secret passage beneath the basilica. If you plan to follow the audio trail, check the current availability of audio content on site before your visit. Another way to explore local history is the Historic Mill Trail: its 17 stops trace part of life alongside and in connection with the Mühlbach stream.

Compare Walks and Moorland Trails

For a short circuit, try the “Around the monastery” walk. It is about two kilometres long, takes around 30 minutes and follows a flat path around the monastery. The route includes the Spatzenpointweg, which runs along the eastern side of the monastery, and passes through the biotopes.

The two moorland circuits take more time. Moorland Circuit 2 is about six kilometres long and takes around one and a half hours. It starts at the monastery car park, heads towards the moor past the biotopes, then returns to the starting point along the monastery wall. The route is flat and offers little shade. Moorland Circuit 1 is longer, at about ten kilometres, and takes around two and a half to three hours. It leads from the monastery car park through the moor, along the Loisach and back to the monastery via the Lainbach bridge. This route is also flat and offers little shade; you use a section along the Loisach river at your own risk.

Another longer outing is the Benediktbeuern–Kochel hike: it is about 16 kilometres long and takes around four to four and a half hours. There are a few small climbs and shaded sections at the beginning, followed by very little shade. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Nature Trails with Different Focuses

The barefoot trail is about 400 metres long and is located in the adventure biotope area, a few hundred metres west of the monastery. On the circular route, you walk over different types of rock, forest and moorland soil, and mud. Topics include geology, soil types, vegetation and the use of natural materials. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

If you are interested in trees, shrubs and little activities along the way, you will find these at the woodland trail. It runs for 2.5 kilometres through easy-to-walk terrain and a moorland landscape with far-reaching views. More than 30 stations teach visitors about native trees and shrubs; they include wood puzzles, a magnifying-glass station, and hedge and animal detective activities.

The Lainbach Wild Stream Educational Trail leads from Mariabrunn along the Lainbach to the Söldner Alm, which is not managed as a working alpine pasture. Ten information boards along the route, which is about four kilometres each way, provide insights into the geology of the Lainbach valley, wild streams and their regulation, as well as adapted plants and small animals.

Reflections Along the Benediktus Trail

The Benediktus Trail runs through the countryside around the monastery complex. Its twelve stations offer reflections inspired by the Rule of Saint Benedict. Station 12 is currently inaccessible. Bear this in mind when planning if you would like to walk the trail. The route has a different focus from the walking and educational trails: rather than trail length or nature topics, it centres on reflections inspired by the Benedictine Rule.

Discover more destinations: Wolfratshausen, Icking, Schlehdorf, Eurasburg, Münsing, Lenggries, Bad Tölz, Kochel Am See.

For the regional travel overview: Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.