Discover Biessenhofen: The Shepherds’ Museum and Legends Trail

Shepherding and legends in Biessenhofen

The Shepherds’ Museum in the Baschtlehaus and the Legends Trail give Biessenhofen two distinctive themes: shepherding and the world of legends. In Ebenhofen, within the municipality of Biessenhofen, the museum explores the centuries-long history of the municipal shepherds. The upper floor of the Baschtlehaus residence houses a permanent exhibition about shepherding during the era of communal grazing. This gives the subject of municipal shepherds a specific historical and economic context.

Part of the exhibition is also devoted to the shepherds’ brotherhood of the “Black Scapular,” founded in Ebenhofen in 1719. It covers the brotherhood’s need, aims, and social and cultural significance. Those interested in regional history will find both a broad historical overview and a clearly dated chapter from Ebenhofen’s past.

Beyond the permanent exhibition, the Baschtlehaus support association also explores a range of historical topics through special exhibitions, activity days, and lectures. Concerts are held in the Baschtlehaus barn. If you want to combine your visit with a concert or activity day, check the specific event dates.

On the Legends Trail

The Legends Trail near Biessenhofen starts at the Shepherds’ and Local History Museum in Ebenhofen and passes signposted legendary sites in the municipality. Some feature life-size figures from local legends. The stories include the witches’ ride, the Count of Ebenhofen, the spirits of the paths, the witches’ dance, and the witches’ horse. Starting at the museum thus brings together two different themes: the history of the municipal shepherds and the trail’s world of legends.

The route surface is also described in specific terms: around 96% is asphalt and around 4% consists of gravel-surfaced agricultural and forest tracks. Along with the legendary stories, this gives you another point of reference if you are interested in the trail’s stories as well as its surface.

The wider Ostallgäu travel destination

In the wider Ostallgäu travel destination, the mountains in the Ostallgäu district belong to the Vilser Mountains in the southwest and the Ammer Mountains in the southeast. At 2,082 metres, the Hochplatte is the highest mountain in Ostallgäu. The cultural offerings also extend beyond individual towns: since 12 July 2025, Neuschwanstein Castle, together with Linderhof Palace, the Royal House on Schachen, and Herrenchiemsee Palace, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the two royal castles, can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

For hiking, Ostallgäu has 32 local routes showcasing special natural and local attractions. The Ostallgäu Cycling Region comprises regional routes that span the entire area. Each is 25 to 76 kilometres long, signposted throughout, and has its own theme. This makes it possible to compare the region’s hiking options with its themed cycling routes as different ways of exploring.

The Forggensee Cycle Loop runs around Lake Forggensee. At more than 15 km², Forggensee is Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir. During the summer season, Forggensee boat trips regularly offer excursions. If a boat trip is a key part of your plans, check the summer-season timetable.

Other cultural and winter activities round out the picture of Ostallgäu: The South Seas Collection next to the Obergünzburg Local History Museum now displays more than 1,500 everyday and cultural objects. The Alpspitzbahn Nesselwang provides access to the ski run around the 1,575-metre-high Alpspitz; the ski area offers family-friendly slopes and a children’s ski area. Operating conditions may vary by season.

Discover more destinations

Bidingen, Aitrang, Ruderatshofen and Apfeltrang.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ostallgäu.