Otterfing: Church history, hiking trails and cross-country skiing

Otterfing is situated on Ice Age moraine hills in the foothills of the Alps. Its architectural history can be seen in three churches and the 40-metre-high tower of St. George’s; at the same time, several hikes start at the railway station. These themes give your stay different focal points: local history, trails with varying time requirements and cross-country skiing when there is enough snow.

Churches tell Otterfing’s story

The parish church of St. George was built around 1530 in the late Gothic style. Its distinctive tower is 40 metres high and was built in 1584 to plans by the Bavarian court architect Friedrich Sustris. The church and tower thus provide two specific landmarks in the area’s architectural history.

The branch church of St. Valentine stands in Bergham. It was built in 1523, replacing an earlier building from the 14th century. In Wettlkam, the history of the branch church of the Holy Cross dates back to the 13th century: a chapel and cemetery were first mentioned there in 1215. Those interested in the history of the local area will therefore find other churches with their own historical reference points besides St. George’s.

Hikes to suit different time budgets

For a loop with a stated distance and duration, you can compare the Jasberg Loop with “Through Woods and Fields.” The Jasberg Loop starts at Otterfing S-Bahn station, goes to Jasberg, then returns to Otterfing and the station via Erlach and Wettlkam. It is about 10 kilometres long and takes approximately 3 hours. “Through Woods and Fields” runs from the station via Erlkam and the Teufelsgraben to the organically farmed ArcheHof Schlickenrieder; the approximately 5.5-kilometre route is listed as taking around 2 hours. The different distances and durations help you choose a loop that suits the time you have planned for your hiking day.

Another trail leads from Otterfing station through Holzham and the Teufelsgraben to Palnkam, then back to the station via Palnkamer Straße. Hiking trails around Otterfing are marked with yellow trail signs. So, in addition to the two loops with stated durations, there is also a described route passing through other districts and waypoints.

Rail, trail signs and the winter ski trail

Otterfing station is on the Mangfall Valley Railway between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen. S-Bahn and regional trains stop there, connecting Otterfing with Munich and other places in the region. Since several hikes start at the station or return there, it is also an easy-to-recognise reference point for planning your routes. Check the timetable for your chosen travel date.

In winter, the Otterfing cross-country ski trail can be used when there is sufficient snow; it is groomed for both classic and skating styles. Snow conditions therefore also determine whether cross-country skiing is an option during your stay. The possible focal points differ accordingly: hiking centres on the trails described above, while using the ski trail depends on suitable snow conditions.

Culture in the wider Miesbach destination

In the wider Miesbach destination, the Waitzinger Keller cultural centre offers opera, operettas, musicals, cabaret, concerts, children’s events, traditional events and exhibitions throughout the year. With a core collection of over 3,000 objects, the Miesbach Local History Museum presents the natural and cultural landscape of the Oberland region. The collection includes examples of Miesbach furniture painting, religious folk art from the Miesbach pilgrimage era, and tools and equipment from guilds and crafts, homes and farms. It also includes a farmhouse parlour, a shoemaker’s workshop and a hatmaker’s workshop. The wider Miesbach destination thus offers performing arts and museum collections as distinct cultural experiences.

When looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether local history and hiking trails in Otterfing or the cultural programme in the wider Miesbach destination will shape your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kreuth, Warngau, Rottach-Egern, Tegernsee, Fischbachau, Miesbach, Valley, Holzkirchen.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Miesbach.