Gmund am Tegernsee: Culture, Cycling Routes and Family Trails
Accommodation in Gmund am Tegernsee
Gmund lies on the northern shore of Lake Tegernsee and is known as the “gateway to Lake Tegernsee”. The town combines local culture with activities ranging from a literary walk to cycling and hiking tours. Families can choose between shorter and longer outings; there are also specific places to visit for a trip focused on papermaking or climbing.
Local History Museum and Cultural Programme
The Jagerhaus in Gmund houses a local history museum. Its exhibitions focus on the Mangfall, Max Obermayr and traditional costume in its various forms. The history of the building is also part of the visit: it was built as a butcher’s house in 1793 and served as the residence of royal gamekeeper Johann Mayer from 1815. The Jagerhaus brings together local history and various aspects of regional culture.
Gmund’s regular cultural programme includes GmundArt exhibitions and “Musi am See”. Details of individual events may vary, so if you plan to attend a particular event, check the date before your trip. The family-friendly literary tour #10, “Gmunder Originale”, offers a different perspective on the town. This easy literary walk has eight stops and starts at Gmund railway station—a way to experience culture on the go rather than at just one exhibition venue.
You can also learn more about papermaking locally: Gmund Papier offers public factory tours that take you behind the scenes of production. The tours take place at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of each month. As the schedule is important for planning your trip, it is a good idea to check the date in advance.
Active days at Oedberg
Tegernsee High Ropes Course is integrated into the existing mountain forest at Oedberg in Gmund. Its seven courses include 78 obstacles, as well as a 130-metre-long flying fox. Children up to the age of seven can use the “Fuchsbau” and “Bärenhöhle” children’s courses; from the age of eight, they can try the higher courses. Check the age requirements again before your visit if they are important for your plans.
Oedberg also has a winding tubing track about 200 metres long, with a rope lift: the ride takes you downhill, and the lift brings you back up. The Oedberg summer toboggan run is 1.4 kilometres long and winds through forest and meadows; it is described as an adventure for all ages. It operates depending on the season and weather, so it is worth checking conditions before your visit.
Compare cycling routes and hikes
Gmund is a good starting point for a range of cycling routes, each with its own character: the long-distance Bodensee-Königssee Cycle Route and the Munich–Venice Cycle Route both pass through the town. The crossing of the Alps from Gmund/Tegernsee to Sterzing, on the other hand, starts here. Another option is the 82-kilometre M-Wasserweg from Munich to Gmund. If you would prefer a circular route around the lake, the 20-kilometre Tegernsee Lake Loop passes through Gmund and is described as an easy, family-friendly cycle tour.
The hikes also vary in length and starting point. The Great Gmund Circular Hiking Trail is an easy, family-friendly 12.7-kilometre loop that starts at the railway station. The Tegernsee Höhenweg “Mit der Bahn in die Berge” is shorter and is also an easy, family-friendly hike: it covers 5.8 kilometres and also starts at Gmund railway station. “Neureuth von Gmund” offers a different challenge: this family-friendly circular hike is rated moderate, is 10.4 kilometres long and starts at Gmund Gasse. These details can help you choose a tour to suit your preferred distance and difficulty.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Gmund has its own railway station and can be reached from Munich by Bayerische Regiobahn trains running hourly. Since 10 December 2023, the town has been part of the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV), allowing you to travel by bus and train in the district of Miesbach with a single ticket. Check the timetable for your travel dates if you plan to base your activities around the train connection.
When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether culture, cycling or hiking will be the main focus of your stay.
Culture in Miesbach
One cultural highlight within the wider Miesbach travel destination is the Waitzinger Keller cultural centre in Miesbach. It offers opera, operetta, musicals, cabaret, concerts, children’s events, traditional events and exhibitions throughout the year. With a core collection of more than 3,000 objects, the Miesbach Local History Museum presents the natural and cultural landscape of the Oberland. Examples from the collection include Miesbach furniture painting, religious folk art, tools and equipment from guilds and crafts, as well as a farmhouse parlour, a shoemaker’s workshop and a hatmaker’s workshop. These attractions are located in Miesbach and complement the independent cultural venues and activities in Gmund.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Irschenberg, Bayrischzell, Schliersee, Kreuth, Holzkirchen, Fischbachau, Otterfing, Warngau
Go to the main travel overview: Miesbach.
