Discover Vachendorf: Tüttensee, the little church and cross-country ski trail

Vachendorf has several distinct facets: landscape, local history and winter activities. Tüttensee is a kettle lake formed by melting dead ice, St. George’s little church was once a well-known pilgrimage site far beyond the area, and the Tobi-Angerer trail runs across Hochberg. Nature, cultural discoveries and cross-country skiing thus offer different ways to experience the area. The local highlights can be just as important as a broader look at the wider destination of Traunstein.

Tüttensee and its protected lakeshore

Tüttensee is a kettle lake formed by melting dead ice, located within the municipalities of Grabenstätt and Vachendorf in the Bavarian Chiemgau. A nature reserve with a rich variety of species lies along its shore. The lake’s geological origins and its protected shoreline together offer a distinctive nature experience. If the lake and its rich natural surroundings are of interest to you, this part of the destination provides a clear starting point for planning your trip.

St. George’s little church and art history

St. George’s little church in Vachendorf was once a well-known pilgrimage site far beyond the area. An official walking route to the church starts at Vachendorf town hall. Another cultural connection leads to the parish church: Johann Baptist Neumüller (1799–1840), a portrait painter from Vachendorf who was supported by King Maximilian I Joseph, painted the high altar painting “Descent from the Cross” in the parish church. The pilgrimage tradition and the altarpiece offer different perspectives on local history. The little church can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes.

Cross-country skiing and local leisure activities

The Tobi-Angerer trail on Hochberg features varied cross-country ski routes and panoramic views of the Alpine chain. This adds an active winter dimension to the landscape experience. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court among the local leisure facilities. When considering Vachendorf as a destination, you can include nature, culture and a range of leisure interests in your plans.

Traunstein as a broader regional setting

The wider destination of Traunstein expands the view beyond Vachendorf. The Chiemsee and Lake Waging are in the district of Traunstein; the district also has more than 170 alpine pastures and peaks reaching up to 2,000 metres in the Chiemgau Alps. This gives nature lovers a broader regional setting in which to explore lakes and mountains alongside local highlights such as Tüttensee and its shoreline. The Seeon Lakes are also among the nature reserves in the district of Traunstein; the area around Lake Waging and Lake Tachinger is listed as a landscape conservation area.

The city of Traunstein also offers cultural sites with their own distinct focus. The surviving saltworks houses and the saltworks chapel provide insight into Traunstein’s significant salt history; the saltworks chapel is the largest chapel in Germany. A historical walking tour of Traunstein passes the Kulturforum Klosterkirche before continuing to the saltworks chapel, the saltworks houses and the Salinenpark, built in 2019. The brewery museum near Jacklturm belongs to Hofbräuhaus Traunstein. The Heimathaus houses a local history and toy museum, with exhibits on civic culture, sacred art and the history of the saltworks.

For the broader travel overview: Bergen.