Eching: Heathland, Protected Areas and Lakes

Eching combines extensive heathland and nature reserves with lakes and a local heritage museum. The town’s landscape offers a range of natural features: plants considered remnants of the Ice Age, preserved heathland and opportunities for swimming or walking. You can plan your days around whether you would prefer to explore nature reserves or spend time by the water.

Heathland and Protected Landscapes

The 26-hectare Garchinger Heide lies southeast of Eching. Plants found there that are considered remnants of the Ice Age include pasqueflowers, pheasant’s eyes and stemless gentians. Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden offers a different landscape: this 620-hectare nature reserve in the south of Eching was designated in 1995. It preserves natural remnants of the heathland as well as diverse animal and plant communities, including endangered and declining species.

Garchinger Heide and Mallertshofer Holz lie within Eching’s municipal area and the Natura 2000 protected area. Echinger Lohe also lies within Eching’s municipal area and this protected area. These three named areas give Eching’s natural landscape a clearly recognizable character; Mallertshofer Holz also explicitly links the heathland landscape with the protection of endangered species.

Lakes and Paths in the Municipality

The Hollerner See regional recreation area lies within the municipality, between Eching and Kreuzhof on the B 13. The first construction phase includes sunbathing lawns, a beach, a water rescue station, a kiosk and a large car park. Within the extensive grounds, the well-maintained beach and natural areas are just a few metres apart. If you plan to use specific facilities, check that they are currently operating before your visit.

People swim at Echinger See during the summer months; outside the bathing season, its large grounds are ideal for walking. The time of year is therefore a useful guide when planning your day: swimming takes centre stage in summer, while walking is the main activity outside the bathing season. Another option in the municipality is the Isarauen FFH area in the district of Dietersheim, which is ideal for cycling or walking.

Local Heritage Museum and More in Freising

The Echinger local heritage museum opened in 1995, adding a cultural aspect of local history to the area’s natural attractions.

The wider Freising destination offers further landscape and cultural attractions. The Ampertal in the district of Freising is designated a landscape conservation area and is used for hiking and cycling. It is home to numerous animal and plant species in need of special protection, including four of the 16 dragonfly species in Bavaria that are threatened with extinction.

Freising’s historic old town also offers some specific places to visit on culture-focused days: around Marienplatz are patrician and canons’ houses dating from the Gothic period to the Baroque; the square is also home to a Marian column dating from 1674. Freising Cathedral on the Domberg has a crypt and the Beast Column. The Freising City Museum presents around 350 selected objects and groups of objects relating to the city’s history.

Freising offers a range of ways to enjoy art and outdoor activities. The Weihenstephan Art Trail passes almost 30 contemporary works by regionally and internationally acclaimed artists on its route across the campus. It consists of two circular walks, each lasting a little over an hour. The approximately two-kilometre Walderlebnispfad in Freising Forest offers a different focus, with 23 stops, display panels, information and activities. The art walk and the themed trail can therefore be distinguished by their subject matter and stated duration.

Discover more destinations: Fahrenzhausen, Hohenkammer, Mauern, Langenbach, Attenkirchen, Hallbergmoos, Au In Der Hallertau, Moosburg an der Isar

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Freising.