Obermaiselstein Between Legends and Winter Trails

Obermaiselstein offers something for different times of year: the Legends Trail and Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, winter activities at the Idealhanglift and the September tradition of the Viehscheid cattle drive. The experiences you want to focus on can also help you choose when to travel.

Legends and connections to nature

The Legends Trail in Obermaiselstein is available in both analogue and digital formats. If you would like to use the digital version, check before your stay whether it is currently available. The Sturmann Cave near Obermaiselstein is also associated with local legends, which feature a dragon and a hidden treasure of gold. Alongside connections to nature, stories are part of the character of the destinations described here.

Obermaiselstein lies in and alongside Nagelfluhkette Nature Park. The nature park is therefore a distinctive geographical feature of your stay. If you plan to hike the Beslerrunde, you’ll find a different kind of nature experience: Besler is Obermaiselstein’s local mountain, and the circular route follows a hiking trail to its summit plateau. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Winter trails and activities at the Idealhanglift

Tobogganing was possible at the Idealhanglift in Obermaiselstein. When snow conditions were suitable, the toboggan run was groomed. The lift also offered a practice lift for children and beginners as an introduction to winter sports. The Idealhanglift was closed during the 2025/2026 season, so check its current operating status when planning a later trip. Grooming the toboggan run remains dependent on suitable snow conditions.

A winter hiking trail in the surrounding area leads to the Mittelalpe near Obermaiselstein. The route offers views, and the Mittelalpe serves cake and has something for younger guests too. Alongside tobogganing and practising at the lift, a winter hike is another option. Which activity suits your stay depends, among other things, on whether you would like to plan a hike or activities at the lift.

The Viehscheid and when to travel

At the Viehscheid in Obermaiselstein, around 1,300 cattle from 11 alpine pastures are returned to their owners after the summer on the alpine pastures. The festival features cattle wearing polished bells, alpine herders and locals in traditional dress, music and food. The Viehscheid is a September tradition; details may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date of the event for that year.

You can therefore tailor your search to the experiences you actually want to include in your plans.

Bus connection and other destinations in Oberallgäu

A local bus runs from Obermaiselstein along the Riedberg Pass towards Balderschwang, as far as the Herzbergalpe stop. If this connection is important to your plans, check the latest timetable before travelling.

The wider Oberallgäu travel region offers further nature and cultural experiences. Oberstdorf has 200 kilometres of hiking trails and nature trails. You can also visit the Heini-Klopfer Ski Flying Hill there; the tower lift takes visitors to the viewing platform on the ski jump tower. In Immenstadt-Bühl, the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Centre is right by Lake Alpsee. The free-admission interactive exhibition covers animals, plants, their habitats and features of the protected area; opening arrangements may vary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sonthofen, Fischen Im Allgäu, Altusried, Sulzberg, Hörnergruppe, Buchenberg, Oberstaufen, Balderschwang.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberallgäu.