Saulgrub can be discovered from different angles: a landscape of forests and meadows in the Alpine foothills, moorland and river, a sensory trail, and buildings with a long history. You can choose what to explore based on the themes you want to shape your trip, rather than viewing the landscape and its culture separately.
Between moorland, river and ridges
Saulgrub lies between the 1,548-metre-high Hörnle to the east and the 1,396-metre-high Hochschergen to the west. Forests and meadows characterize the Alpine foothills. The Ammer is also part of the valley landscape: it flows through the area shaped by Saulgrub, Altenau and Wurmansau along a natural, unspoilt course.
Another feature of the landscape is the Eckfilz near Saulgrub. The Eckfilz near Saulgrub is a raised bog fed exclusively by precipitation. The Scheibum is also nearby: this rock gorge is 600 metres long and up to 80 metres deep; it is both a ravine and a natural monument. The Scheibum near Saulgrub has been a protected area since 1949. This means the area can be understood not only through its ridges and river, but also through its moorland and gorge landscape.
The sensory trail: two distinct focuses
The Saulgrub sensory trail focuses on hearing, smelling and touching. It is especially accessible to people with visual impairments or who are blind. Along the trail, hikers can choose between two audio tours with distinctly different focuses: the “Torfhund” (Peat Dog) adventure tour is aimed primarily at families. The in-depth “Moorleiche von Saulgrub” (Saulgrub Bog Body) tour appeals to people who are enthusiastic about natural and cultural landscapes. This lets you consider the thematic focus when choosing your tour.
The sensory trail starts at the Saulgrub Nature Friends House. From Saulgrub train stop, the house can be reached via Ammergauer Straße and Achelestraße. This starting point is also a useful, specific detail for your planning if you want to include the sensory trail. The trail itself focuses on sensory experiences and its two distinct narrative concepts; walking time and distance are not among the trail features described here.
Church, chapel and the history of technology
St. Francis Church combines a precise date with a specific architectural style: it was built in 1858 in the Neo-Gothic style and consecrated by Archbishop Gregor von Scherr on 27 August 1860. The church is also the starting point of the Benedict Pilgrimage Route in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park. Those interested in sacred architecture can therefore make the church visit a cultural focus of its own; the starting point for the pilgrimage route is also clearly identified.
A smaller chapel adds to this connection with religious history. The Fatima Chapel is a votive chapel on a ridge in Saulgrub, with views across the northern Ammertal valley. It was consecrated on 12 September 1954. Its location and views give it a different character from St. Francis Church, while the consecration dates of the two buildings are far apart.
The history of technology is also represented in Saulgrub: the Kammerl railway hydroelectric power station was built in the Art Nouveau style between 1897 and 1899, alongside the Murnau–Oberammergau railway line. Alongside the churches and chapels, this offers another historical perspective, this time connected to the railway. The different buildings provide various ways to explore the town’s history without requiring a single unifying theme.
Another route leads through the “Scheibum” Ammer Gorge towards Bad Kohlgrub: the Meditation Trail. It has its own landscape connection and direction. This is distinct from the Benedict Pilgrimage Route, which starts at St. Francis Church in Saulgrub. These two details help distinguish the routes rather than treating them as a single circuit.
Practical information
For bicycle repairs, there is a bike service station with an air pump and various tools at the Saulgrub Tourist Information Office, Kohlgruber Straße 2. This is a practical addition to the landscape and cultural attractions: you can think of Saulgrub as a place for nature experiences, historical discoveries or a cycling trip, without combining these interests into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Bad Bayersoien, Mittenwald, Bad Kohlgrub, Farchant, Unterammergau, Uffing am Staffelsee, Ohlstadt, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Back to the main travel overview: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
