Discover Schmiechen: Stations of the Cross, chapels and castle ruins

A Stations of the Cross and a circular walking trail give Schmiechen two specific starting points for an excursion. The Stations of the Cross end at the pilgrimage church of Maria Kappel, where the 15th station is located. The second perspective is offered by the nearly four-kilometre circular trail “Maria Kappel in Schmiechen,” which partly follows the old route taken by pilgrims.

The circular walk passes the Hyazinth Chapel and the remains of a castle that was also owned by the Fugger family. The route description thus brings together several different traces: the connection to pilgrimage, a chapel and the remains of a former castle. The nearly four-kilometre distance gives a specific indication of the route length; the Stations of the Cross, in turn, are defined by their endpoint and the 15th station. If you are looking for accommodation in Schmiechen, these differences can help with planning: are the Stations of the Cross and the pilgrimage church your main focus, or are you more interested in the circular walk and its stops along the route?

More cultural and touring highlights in Aichach-Friedberg

The wider destination of Aichach-Friedberg also has distinctive highlights in Friedberg, Aichach and Inchenhofen. In Friedberg, Wittelsbach Castle dates back to a high medieval castle built around 1257 under Duke Ludwig II the Strict. The pilgrimage church of Herrgottsruh was built between 1731 and 1753 and is considered one of the finest examples of Bavarian Rococo. Friedberg therefore brings together different historical periods and architectural styles.

Aichach offers more points of interest for history enthusiasts: its historic old town has changed little over the centuries. The Wittelsbach Museum is housed in the Lower Gate, while the town museum tells the story of Aichach. The ancestral castle of the Wittelsbach family was located in the Aichach district of Oberwittelsbach. Sisi Castle in Unterwittelsbach served Duke Max in Bavaria as a hunting lodge. Each of these places has its own focus, from local history to the history of the Wittelsbach family.

Inchenhofen also adds to the cultural range of the wider destination. The Pilgrimage Museum is housed in Haus St. Leonhard, a former Cistercian brewery building. Exhibits include iron and wax votive offerings, ploughshares, horseshoes, and neck and hand shackles. The museum documents the significance of Saint Leonhard and St. Leonhard Church as a much-visited pilgrimage destination.

Hiking and cycling as different tour options

The wider destination of Aichach-Friedberg offers a range of route lengths and types for planning a trip. The circular walking trail in Schmiechen is nearly four kilometres long. A longer hiking option is the Paartal Trail: it follows the middle Paar river from Aichach to Gut Schenkenau in the district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen and is 36.8 kilometres long in total. Comparing the distances helps you choose a tour to suit your preferred route length without treating the trails as equivalent.

Those looking for more walks and hikes in Aichach can find a total of 15 featured walks and hiking trails in and around the town in the hiking brochure “Explore Aichach on Foot – The Most Beautiful Walks Around Aichach.” Cyclists can use the Aichach-Friedberg district cycling map, which features 14 well-signposted themed cycling routes. Before setting out on a specific tour, it is advisable to check the current route.

This makes it easy to plan your search around your preferred combination of pilgrimage, architectural and town history, hiking or cycling.

Discover more destinations: Kühbach, Petersdorf, Mering, Dasing, Schiltberg, Rehling, Merching, Baar.

Back to the wider travel overview: Aichach-Friedberg.