Discover Benediktbeuern

Benediktbeuern brings together the monastery complex and trails through moorland and biotopes. The options range from a short walk around the monastery to longer tours with a variety of nature and cultural themes. You can plan your trip according to whether you mainly want to explore the monastery’s history or spend more time on the trails.

Explore the monastery and moorland

The meditation garden is located on the west side of the Maierhof. Its layout is based on the floor labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral. The “Around the monastery” walk follows a level path around the monastery, including the Spatzenpointweg along its eastern side and through the biotopes. At about two kilometres long and around 30 minutes’ walking time, it is a short option for your visit.

For a longer walk, there are two Moorland Circular Trails. Moorland Circular Trail 2 is about six kilometres long and takes around an hour and a half. It starts at the monastery car park, heads towards the moor past the biotopes, then returns to the starting point along the monastery wall. The route is level, but offers little shade. Moorland Circular Trail 1 is also level, about ten kilometres long and takes around two and a half to three hours. From the monastery car park, it leads through the moor, along the Loisach and back to the monastery via the Lainbach Bridge. There is little shade here too; one section along the River Loisach is used at your own risk.

Nature education is the focus of two other trails. The barefoot trail in the Erlebnisbiotope area is a few hundred metres west of the monastery and about 400 metres long. The circular trail passes over different types of rock, woodland and moorland soil, and mud; its themes include geology, soil types, vegetation and the use of natural materials. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. The 2.5-kilometre Gehölzpfad (Woodland Trail) runs through easily accessible terrain and a moorland landscape with far-reaching views. More than 30 stations introduce native trees and shrubs; wood puzzles, a magnifying-glass station, and hedge and animal detective activities complement the information.

The Wildbachlehrpfad (Mountain Stream Educational Trail) along the Lainbach leads from Mariabrunn beside the Lainbach to the unstaffed Söldner Alm. The route is about four kilometres long and is one-way. Ten information boards cover the geology of the Lainbach Valley, mountain streams and their engineering works, as well as adapted plants and small animals. For a different tour length, try the Benediktbeuern–Kochel hike: it is about 16 kilometres long and takes around four to four and a half hours. It begins with some short climbs and shaded sections; later, there is little shade.

Monastery history and local stories

The Documentation Centre of the Bavarian Mountain Riflemen is located in Benediktbeuern Monastery. It presents more than 500 years of Bavarian history, tradition and customs. The Benediktbeuern audio trail focuses on stories from the village: the audio guide has eleven stops, including Mariabrunn, Fraunhofer and the secret passage beneath the basilica. Check in advance to confirm current audio guide availability.

The Historic Mill Trail traces aspects of life along and with the Mühlbach at 17 stations. The Benediktusweg (St Benedict’s Way) also combines a route around the monastery complex with reflections along the way: its twelve stations draw on ideas from the Rule of St Benedict. Station 12 is currently inaccessible; if you plan to visit this particular station, check the current situation before your visit.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

The tours vary considerably in walking time, distance and focus: from a walk of around 30 minutes to a hike lasting several hours, and from monastery history to moorland, woodland and mountain streams. This makes it easier to decide which experiences you want to shape your days and how much time to set aside.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jachenau, Eurasburg, Gaißach, Greiling, Icking, Wackersberg, Bad Heilbrunn, Lenggries.

For the broader travel overview: Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.