Grafrath: Kettle Holes, Forest and Ampermoos

Grafrath combines distinctive natural features with a clearly defined forest theme. The two named kettle holes are located within the municipality of Grafrath. Grafrath lies on the edge of the “Ampermoos” Nature Reserve; the Forest Experimental Garden and the Forest Adventure Centre draw attention to trees and woodland. The landscape, variety of trees and specific local history each provide a different focus.

Two kettle holes, two location details

The “Tiefes Tal” kettle hole lies south of the Amper, between Unteralting and Mauern. The “Wolfsgrube,” by contrast, is north of the Amper on Federal Highway 471. The names therefore refer to two clearly distinct locations: when planning, take care not to confuse the north and south sides of the Amper. Grafrath also lies on the edge of the “Ampermoos” Nature Reserve—a further distinctive landmark in the local landscape.

Trees from several continents

You can explore the Grafrath Forest Experimental Garden independently. Along the way, you can discover trees from North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The audio guide includes 27 stops and can be downloaded as an MP3 file before your visit. This lets you prepare with the audio material before exploring the garden on your own.

The Grafrath Forest Adventure Centre offers a different experience: visitors of all ages are welcome. The oldest sequoia at the centre was planted in 1893. The trees’ origins across several continents provide an overview of their variety, while the sequoia’s planting year offers a specific historical reference point. The centre’s explicit welcome to people of all ages is a helpful guide when planning a visit with people of different ages.

Getting to the Forest Experimental Garden

Grafrath is served by S-Bahn line 4, which runs between Geltendorf and Munich. From Grafrath S-Bahn station, the Forest Experimental Garden can be reached by regional bus 804 or on foot. Check the current S-Bahn and bus timetables before setting out to make sure the connection fits your visit plans. Plan your S-Bahn journey to Grafrath and the onward connection from the station to the experimental garden separately.

More to explore in the wider Fürstenfeldbruck destination

The wider Fürstenfeldbruck destination offers additional nature and cultural themes. Furthmühle preserves its grain mill and sawmill machinery in its original, working condition. The Fürstenfeldbruck Museum is housed in the former monastery brewery and explores, among other topics, the work of the “white monks” of the Cistercian order. At Fürstenfeld Monastery, the Abbey Church of the Assumption is considered one of the country’s most magnificent Baroque churches.

The Fürstenfeld Event Forum hosts markets, trade fairs and balls, as well as performances ranging from early music and the Piano Summer series to blues, jazz, dance, shows and cabaret. The specific programme of events varies. If you are more interested in routes through nature, the wider Fürstenfeldbruck destination also offers a variety of hiking and cycling tours. A signposted circular trail through Haspelmoor starts at Haspelmoor station; check local trail conditions before setting out.

Choose what matters most when selecting accommodation

When looking for accommodation, you can start by considering which themes you want to shape your days: in Grafrath, the two kettle holes, Ampermoos, and the forest and tree themes take centre stage. The wider Fürstenfeldbruck destination also offers a museum, a Baroque church, events and routes through the moor, among other things. For the Forest Experimental Garden, the connection from the S-Bahn station and the travel options listed above provide practical guidance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Alling, Egenhofen, Mammendorf, Fürstenfeldbruck, Maisach, Olching, Emmering, Gröbenzell.

Back to the wider travel overview: Fürstenfeldbruck.