Seehausen by the Staffelsee combines Lake Staffelsee with hiking opportunities and a local history that can be traced through its churches, chapels and reverse-glass painting. This offers different options for planning a trip: time by the water and on the trails, or a closer look at architectural and art history. Those looking for accommodation in town can use these interests as a guide when planning their days.
By Lake Staffelsee: swimming and circular trails
Lake Staffelsee is a well-known warm-water lake; in midsummer, water temperatures range from 22 to 26 °C. Seehausen’s lido has a large sunbathing lawn, a café terrace and a gently sloping beach more than 300 metres long.
For routes around the lake, distance, season and mode of travel offer practical points of reference. The Lake Staffelsee circular trail starts in Seehausen and is 20.5 kilometres long. In summer, you can circle Lake Staffelsee on a signposted, 22-kilometre circular hiking trail, on foot or by bicycle. The starting point in Seehausen and the summer option of making the circuit on foot or by bicycle provide different reference points for planning your route.
Village walk and hiking opportunities
Walking maps and hiking maps are available in Seehausen for a circuit through the village. Sights include St. Mauritius Chapel and Rieden Castle; the legend of the White Lady of Buchau Island is also part of the walk. Meditation trails with a spiritual focus add to the hiking options. The village walk focuses on buildings and a legend, while the meditation trails take a different, spiritual approach.
Churches, islands and local history
Lake Staffelsee has seven islands, and the island of Wörth is associated with two local church histories. St. Michael’s in Seehausen was built with stones from the former island church on Wörth, which was demolished in 1773/1774; Prince-Bishop Wenzeslaus consecrated St. Michael’s in 1782. The island chapel of St. Simpert on Wörth was endowed in 1838 in the Neo-Romanesque style as a replacement for the demolished monastery church.
The districts of Riedhausen and Rieden also have their own historical landmarks. The Mauritius Chapel in Riedhausen dates back to the founding of the village and features 15th-century wall paintings. The Chapel of St. Peter and Paul in Rieden stands right next to Rieden Castle, also dates from the 15th century and has a 17th-century high altar. The wall paintings in Riedhausen and the later high altar in Rieden highlight different periods.
Reverse-glass painting as a cultural theme
The Staffelsee Museum explores reverse-glass painting, for which Seehausen was an important centre thanks to the Gege and Noder painting dynasties. Alongside the architectural history of the chapels, this makes a local art tradition another distinct cultural focus.
Discover more destinations: Murnau am Staffelsee, Bad Kohlgrub, Unterammergau, Uffing am Staffelsee, KrĂĽn, Grainau, Saulgrub, Ettal.
For the broader travel overview: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
