Saulgrub between the Ammer River, moorland and history

Saulgrub lies in a foothills landscape rich in forests and meadows, between the 1,548-metre-high Hörnle to the east and the 1,396-metre-high Hochschergen to the west. The Ammer flows through the valley, shaped by Saulgrub, Altenau and Wurmansau, along a natural, unspoilt river course. Nature, trails and historic sites offer a variety of themes to explore during your stay.

Moorland and gorge

At Saulgrub, the Scheibum has been a protected nature reserve since 1949. In the immediate area, it is a 600-metre-long and up to 80-metre-deep rock passage and gorge, as well as a natural monument. The Eckfilz near Saulgrub adds a raised bog, fed exclusively by precipitation, to this landscape. The gorge and the bog represent two distinct forms of nature that shape the surroundings of the village.

Trails also take in this landscape: the Meditation Trail passes through the “Scheibum” Ammer Gorge towards Bad Kohlgrub. Those interested in the river landscape can see the Scheibum as a specific point of reference; the Eckfilz, by contrast, illustrates how a raised bog forms. Both places are in the vicinity of Saulgrub, but they are not the same type of landscape.

The sensory trail and its routes

The Saulgrub Sensory Trail focuses on hearing, smelling and touching. The trail is particularly accessible to people with visual impairments or blindness. Its two routes have different focuses: the “Torfhund” (Peat Hound) Experience Tour is aimed primarily at families, while the in-depth “Moorleiche von Saulgrub” (Saulgrub Bog Body) Tour appeals to people interested in natural and cultural landscapes. This lets you choose an outing that suits your travel group's interests without treating the two options as the same.

The sensory trail starts at the Saulgrub Nature Friends House. From Saulgrub railway stop, the house can be reached via Ammergauer Straße and Achelestraße. This information links the trailhead with a specific arrival point in the village. When planning, it is also useful to note that the routes differ not only in their intended audiences but also in the depth of their subject matter.

Historic traces and buildings

Parts of the Via Claudia Augusta, which connected Augsburg with Verona, can still be seen in Saulgrub today. St. Francis Church offers a different historical perspective: built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1858, it was consecrated by Archbishop Gregor von Scherr on 27 August 1860. The Benedict Pilgrimage Trail in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park also begins at the church. Architectural history and the start of a trail come together here at a named location.

The history of technology is also present: Kammerl Railway Hydroelectric Power Station was built in the Art Nouveau style between 1897 and 1899, at the same time as the Murnau–Oberammergau railway line. The Fatima Chapel, by contrast, is a small votive chapel on a ridge in Saulgrub, with views across the northern Ammer Valley. It was consecrated on 12 September 1954. Together, a building from railway history, a Neo-Gothic church and a more recent chapel represent different historical themes.

Planning your stay

When looking for accommodation in Saulgrub, you can choose what to focus on: moorland and river scenery, the sensory trail, or historic buildings and trail routes offer different ways to shape your trip. Cyclists can use the bicycle service station at the Saulgrub Tourist Information Office, Kohlgruber Straße 2, which has a pump and a range of tools for bicycle repairs.

Discover more destinations: Bad Bayersoien, Murnau Am Staffelsee, Krün, Uffing Am Staffelsee, Oberammergau, Mittenwald, Riegsee, Oberau.

Back to the main travel overview: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.