Rettenberg at the foot of the Grünten

Rettenberg is located in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park at the foot of the Grünten. The village combines paths through meadows and forests with cross-country ski trails, activities along the Galetschbach and a vibrant brewing tradition. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding on your main focus first: Would you like to hike, experience nature on a circular trail or discover culinary stops?

Hiking trails between the stream and the Grünten

The approximately 2.6-kilometre “Abenteuer Galetschbach” experience trail follows the Galetschbach stream. The entire circular route is barrier-free and easy to navigate with a wheelchair or pushchair. If you are comparing routes by length, you can contrast it with Beer and Enjoyment Hiking Tour 3: This route runs from Rettenberg to the Alpe Kalkhöf and is considerably longer, at about 8.6 kilometres. This route, classified as suitable for advanced hikers, is listed as taking around 3 hours and 15 minutes of walking time and involving 500 metres of elevation gain.

Rettenberg also has five beer-themed hiking trails. They lead through meadows and forests, past viewpoints and places to stop for refreshments. You can sample local beers and hearty specialities there. Route availability may change; check your hiking plans before setting out.

More activities in different seasons

In winter, options in Rettenberg include the sunny circular cross-country ski trail around Emmereiser Moos and a small, illuminated evening trail. Whether the trails are usable depends on seasonal snow conditions. There is a mini-golf course in the Kurgärtle next to the village café. The Familienbad am Grünten is also right next to the village café and features a large sunbathing lawn and natural shade. The pool’s seasonal opening schedule may vary.

The Grünten archery facility, with its shooting ranges and 3D course, also adds to the local activities. If you are planning a visit, check the current operating arrangements in advance. For families travelling with children, mini-golf, the family pool and the circular trail along the Galetschbach, which is easy to navigate with a pushchair, are practical options; bear in mind that the pool operates seasonally.

Brewing traditions and regional specialities

Rettenberg is home to the Allgäu brewing tradition. It includes Bernardibräu, Engelbräu and Privatbrauerei Zötler. Culinary events also shape the village: Kässpatzen evenings and other events, including beer and cheese evenings, are held regularly. Event dates may change.

Along the five beer-themed hiking trails, innkeepers and alpine and mountain hut businesses offer ProBiererle: a local speciality paired with a Rettenberg beer selected to complement it. This connects the hiking options with regional tastings, without every stop being the same. A brewery tour explains the brewing process and the history of brewing; afterwards, you can sample a freshly brewed beer. Check in advance whether a tour is offered and when.

Using experiences as a guide when looking for accommodation

If you are looking for accommodation for your stay in Rettenberg, your planned activities can help you choose. A hike with specified walking time and elevation gain has a different focus from a day of mini-golf, seasonal swimming or culinary events. Consider which experiences matter for your trip and include them in your plans. For a longer hike, Tour 3’s classification as suitable for advanced hikers is an important point of reference; for the cross-country ski trails, seasonal snow conditions matter.

More destinations in the Oberallgäu

The wider Oberallgäu travel region includes other independent destinations. In Oberstdorf, hiking trails and nature trails total 200 kilometres. The Allgäu Mountain Farming Museum in Immenstadt-Diepolz is an interactive open-air museum: its historic buildings document the lives of Allgäu mountain farmers; opening is seasonal. The Breitachklamm gorge can also be explored on well-maintained, secured paths, though trail conditions may vary seasonally.

If you would like to discover more destinations, you can also find Großdorf here.

Discover more destinations: Immenstadt Im Allgäu, Oberstdorf, Wiggensbach, Waltenhofen, Wertach, Lauben, Oberstaufen.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberallgäu.