The “Alpinium Natural Areas: Bolgenach” water experience trail brings nature to life at several stops: Along 4.2 kilometres, there are eleven information pillars, three play stations and two interactive explorer boxes. There are also trails offering insights into the history of the village, as well as a distinct range of winter activities. It’s easy to keep the themes separate when planning your time in Balderschwang: the water trail focuses on habitats and hands-on activities, while the Zeitweg and the Trilogie circular trail focus on local history and route guidance.
Explore and discover along the water
The water experience trail follows the Bolgenach along an existing hiking path. You can walk it in either direction or cover just part of it. The interactive explorer boxes focus on the wild river and riparian forest habitats; light displays and periscopes are among the hands-on features. The boxes are closed in winter, and some other stations are also subject to seasonal restrictions. So check which parts of the experience are currently available before your visit.
On the explorer tour along the Bolgenach experience trail, visitors use magnifying glasses and nets to explore the animal and plant life in and around the water. Children can also borrow an explorer backpack with 13 activities for the nature trail. It is available for loan against a deposit from the Balderschwang Tourist Information Centre; check the local loan conditions before your trip. The tour and backpack offer different ways to explore nature: one involves exploring with magnifying glasses and nets, while the other provides activities to complete along the way.
Trails with local history
The Balderschwang Zeitweg features 16 family-friendly experience stations. They explore life in the Balderschwang mountains, Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, and the animals and plants that live there. The trail brings together local history and nature, while the water experience trail focuses on the wild river and riparian forest.
The Trilogie circular trail starts at the village square behind St. Anton Parish Church. It passes the Old Yew and the Balderschwang Zeitweg, then reaches the Sägebach stream and its ravine. Follow the current signs along the way. The parish church itself was built in 1836 and extensively renovated in 2017; it is known for its wall and ceiling paintings. This lets you combine a walk around the village with a look at the church, without confusing the route with the Zeitweg’s stations.
Winter activities and seasonal planning
For cross-country skiing, trails between Balderschwang and Hittisau in Vorarlberg cross the border and total 41 kilometres. Availability and grooming depend on winter conditions. The Balderschwang ski area is a separate offering, with more than 40 kilometres of groomed pistes and twelve lift facilities. As piste lengths and facilities may change, check the operator’s current information before your trip.
A new toboggan run at Gschwend II is also being advertised. This is another winter activity, but it does not indicate current seasonal availability: check with the operator in advance. The key difference when choosing is that the cross-country trails connect Balderschwang with Hittisau, while the pistes and lifts belong to the Balderschwang ski area. Keep seasonal conditions in mind for all winter activities.
More places to explore in Oberallgäu
In the wider Oberallgäu destination, Oberstdorf offers another point of reference for nature and winter sports: the village has 200 kilometres of hiking trails and nature trails. The Heini-Klopfer ski flying hill is open to visitors; the tower lift takes visitors to the viewing platform on the ski jump tower. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Centre is in Immenstadt-Bühl, right by Lake Alpsee. It has a free-access interactive exhibition about animals, plants, their habitats and the special features of the protected area; opening arrangements may vary. From Immenstadt railway station, you can reach the centre on foot in 30 minutes via the “Achis Wasserweg” themed trail. In bad weather, bus routes 39, 11 and 81 go there. Check current bus availability and journey times before travelling. These examples are part of the wider Oberallgäu destination and are distinct from the local trails and activities in Balderschwang.
Discover more destinations: Oberstaufen, Buchenberg, Bolsterlang, Obermaiselstein, Oberstdorf, Oy-Mittelberg, Wertach, Immenstadt im Allgäu.
Go to the main travel overview: Oberallgäu.
