In Josefsthal, a seasonal winter hike and a cycling tour followed by a short walk to the Josefsthal Waterfalls offer two different ways to enjoy the outdoors. The hiking trails can also be reached by train or bus.
Winter Hike with a Sledding Option
The winter trail leads from Josefsthal to the Neue SpitzingstraĂźe. It is about 1.5 kilometers long; allow approximately 45 minutes for the uphill walk. When there is enough snow, you can sled back down the slope. This lets you combine the hike with a sled ride, provided snow and weather conditions allow it.
The estimated time refers to the uphill walk. Sledding back down requires sufficient snow; conditions can change with the weather. If you are planning this tour, check the current conditions in advance.
Getting to the Hiking Trails
Take the train to Fischhausen-Neuhaus station, then follow the Bockerlbahnweg. Alternatively, RVO bus route 362 takes you to the Josefstal Abzw. AurachstraĂźe stop. Timetables and stopping patterns may change, so check the connection before you travel.
Cycling to the Josefsthal Waterfalls
A 16.9-kilometer cycling route from Miesbach to Neuhaus follows the shore of Lake Schliersee and continues toward Josefsthal. Cyclists can leave their bikes and reach the Josefsthal Waterfalls on foot in just a few minutes. This makes the cycling route and short walk a single outing option, while the winter hike is a separate tour that depends on snow.
This distinction can help with planning: for the winter trail, the uphill route and approximate walking time are key; for the cycling tour, consider the route between Miesbach and Neuhaus and the walk to the waterfalls. Signage and conditions on the cycling route may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest trail information.
More Excursions in the Wider Schliersee Destination
In the wider Schliersee destination, the lakeside loop trail offers another way to spend time outdoors. It is about 7 kilometers long and mostly flat. Along the trail, there are benches, viewpoints by the water, and swimming coves; a tree adventure trail is also part of the official loop.
The lakeside loop and the uphill winter trail in Josefsthal differ in both approximate length and profile: the loop around Lake Schliersee is considerably longer and mostly flat, while the Josefsthal winter trail is shorter and uphill. The Schliersee loop is mostly paved and easy to travel along. A companion is recommended because of a few short climbs. The Vitalwelt in Schliersee can serve as a possible starting point; in the adjacent Kurpark, you can choose which direction to walk.
Culture and History in Schliersee
The wider Schliersee destination also includes several places with different historical focuses. The Markus Wasmeier Open-Air Museum Schliersee is designed as an Upper Bavarian farming village with meticulously reconstructed historic buildings. It showcases traditional crafts such as shoemaking and blacksmithing, as well as beer brewing based on historical methods. Demonstrations may vary by date.
The Schliersee Local History Museum has been housed in the Schredl House since 1916, a building dating from the 14th century. St. Sixtus Church was built between 1712 and 1715 on the site of a medieval predecessor church. Johann Baptist Zimmermann created the ceiling frescoes and stucco work there. The church also houses a Throne of Grace by Erasmus Grasser from 1490—an artwork from a much earlier period than the present church building.
A year-end event is also part of Schliersee tradition: every year on December 31, Heimatfreunde Schliersee invites visitors to a year-end gathering at the Schliersee Local History Museum. Check the dates in advance if you would like to include this event in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Fischhausen, Spitzingsee.
Back to the wider travel overview: Schliersee.
