Discover Kleinhöhenrain: Bee Educational Trail, Valley and Church

Kleinhöhenrain brings together an engaging nature theme, a distinctive valley landscape and a church with sweeping views. The bee educational trail explores the world of bees; the natural Tiefenbach meanders through the wooded Tiefenbach Valley. St. Bartholomew’s branch church also shapes the character of the village, with distinctive architecture and views across the Mangfall Valley.

Bee knowledge along a circular trail

The “Kleinhöhenrain Bee Educational Trail” is a paved circular route suitable for children and wheelchair users. Numerous themed panels introduce the subject, and the trail also features a bee house, a wild bee hotel and a bee-friendly meadow. Several benches provide places to rest along the way. The route combines information with real-life exhibits and offers opportunities to take a break along the way.

For families who want to explore a nature theme together, the trail’s suitability for children is a helpful consideration. The bee house, wild bee hotel and bee-friendly meadow highlight different aspects of the subject, from the lives of bees to their habitat. The panels and stations make this educational trail a different kind of outdoor experience from a walk focused mainly on the landscape.

Tiefenbach Valley and views across the Mangfall Valley

Around Kleinhöhenrain, the natural Tiefenbach and its headwater streams wind in numerous meanders through the wooded Tiefenbach Valley. The winding course of the stream and the forest backdrop give the landscape its distinctive character. Those planning a trip around nature rather than individual buildings will find a vivid picture of the surrounding area here.

St. Bartholomew’s branch church adds a cultural highlight. The single-nave church features an onion dome, vault paintings and an ornately decorated pulpit. From the church, views extend across the broad Mangfall Valley and 80 mountain peaks. Its architecture and outlook offer two different perspectives on the same place: the crafted building and the landscape that unfolds from it.

Trails with different themes

The “Trail of the Senses” was created in 2009 along the Way of the Cross from Maxhofen to Kleinhöhenrain, which has existed since 1870. Its history thus brings together two points in time: the Way of the Cross had been there long before the hiking trail was established. By contrast, the bee educational trail focuses on bees and their surroundings. When choosing between these trails, consider whether you would prefer the history of the route and the Way of the Cross, or nature-related knowledge to shape your outing.

The wild herb walk offers another way to connect with nature: participants gather wild herbs, cook together and share a meal. The experience goes beyond observing or gathering to include preparing and enjoying food together. This sets the activity apart from trails whose theme is experienced primarily while walking.

More to explore in the wider destination

The wider destination of Feldkirchen-Westerham offers additional themes. The 66-kilometre Mangfall Cycle Path runs southeast from Munich to Rosenheim and follows the Mangfall directly from Feldkirchen-Westerham onwards. The pilgrimage church of the Offering of Mary in Oberreit houses a late Gothic carved devotional image dating from around 1470. The Feldkirchen-Westerham Local History Collection digitizes, preserves and presents the municipality’s cultural heritage in words, sound and images, from the past and present.

As of June 18, 2024, Feldkirchen-Westerham is a stop on the Munich–Holzkirchen–Rosenheim railway line. This information about the wider destination complements the local themes with a cycle path, cultural heritage and rail connections; it offers an additional point of reference alongside the experiences in Kleinhöhenrain.

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Aschbach

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Feldkirchen-Westerham.