The New Lighthouse in Lindau is 33 metres tall and can be reached by climbing 139 steps. The island is also home to the Diebsturm, built in 1380, which long formed the western end of the town’s fortifications. The two buildings tell of different purposes: the lighthouse’s height and climb can be stated precisely, while the Diebsturm’s former role in the history of the fortifications is part of what makes the site special.
Island History and Culture in Lindau District
You can also encounter a variety of historical traces in the towns and villages of the district. The Gothic St. James’s Chapel in Nonnenhorn dates from the 13th century and is located in the town centre on the old pilgrimage route. Nonnenhorn is also home to a wine press dating from 1591. The Malhaus Museum in Wasserburg was built in 1596 and hosts changing exhibitions. The sights range from a building on an old pilgrimage route to a museum whose exhibitions change.
In Gestratz, a 250-year-old forge was converted into a centre for living history. The local heritage house includes a working forge and an exhibition room. The sculpture trail in Maierhöfen offers another way to experience culture: the approximately five-kilometre circular route features 17 sculptures and twelve text panels. Artists created the works at a symposium and gave them to Maierhöfen for permanent display. Here, art and text meet along a route rather than at a single exhibition venue.
Water, Woods and Trails
In the Eistobel nature reserve, the waters of the Obere Argen cascade down over several waterfalls; the hiking trail is three kilometres long. An information pavilion provides visitors with information before they descend into the Eistobel gorge. The Rohrach Gorge offers another facet of this protected landscape: it is the largest nature reserve in Lindau district. Wet and litter meadows, springs, and rocky and open areas provide habitats for rare plants and animals.
For cyclists, the Panorama Cycle Route on Lake Constance near Lindau offers views of particularly beautiful spots by the lake and in higher-lying areas. At the Plenterwaldweg in Scheidegg, the forest takes centre stage: the trail leads from the Scheidegg spa centre to just before the entrance to the Waldwelt Skywalk Allgäu. Along the way, nine stations share information about the Plenterwald forest. The two routes offer different highlights—one focuses on views along a cycling loop, the other on information along the trail.
In winter, a total of eight kilometres of cross-country ski trails are groomed in Gestratz. Conditions can vary from one winter to the next, so check in advance what to expect during your visit. If you are interested in other routes, there is also a newly built walking and cycling path from Lindenberg via Röthenbach to Weiler. It is intended for pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters.
Getting Around and Enjoying Regional Specialities
Nonnenhorn has a centrally located railway station. From the local boat landing, there are connections to Lindau, Bregenz, Meersburg, Konstanz and Mainau Island. Train connections and timetables can change; boat timetables are seasonal and can also change. So check the latest departures before planning a journey.
For further guidance on your cycling trip, a cycling map of Lindau district is available at a scale of 1:50,000. It covers the Westallgäu region through to Lake Constance and shows the cycle route network, including circular routes and long-distance cycle routes. For a different kind of regional discovery, the Allgäu Cheese Road connects various dairies, direct sellers and farm shops in the district. At a show distillery in Opfenbach, visitors can experience each step of the process, from fruit processing to the finished schnapps ready for sale.
Discover more travel destinations: Maierhöfen, Stiefenhofen, Lindau, Wasserburg, Nonnenhorn, Scheidegg, Weißensberg, Lindenberg im Allgäu, Bodolz, Weiler-Simmerberg, Argental, Sigmarszell, Hergatz, Heimenkirch, Opfenbach.
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