Oberstdorf

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Oberstdorf

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Oberstdorf: The Beautiful Mountain Town

Oberstdorf is situated in the southwestern region of Germany within the Bavarian Alps at a height of 843 metres. It location in the Allgäu region is such that it is one of the highest market towns in Germany, Additionally, the region also encompasses the southernmost point of German territory. Oberstdorf has thus emerged as the most preferred location for mountaineering and winter sports enthusiasts.

It was also the favourite vacation spot of the Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. He often stayed here, several times in a year. Since then, Oberstdorf has also served many of the German generals and inspired many writers and artists such as Carl Zuckmayer, Maximilian Schels, and Hans Karl Baier among others.

The Divisions of Oberstdorf

The town of Oberstdorf comprises of a total of 5 villages, namely:

  • Kornau: It is located at a height of 915 metres above sea level. Within this area of the town you can find the Söllereckbahn, the Chapel of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian. The chapel of St. Sebastian particularly famous because it houses numerous art treasures.
  • In Reichenbach: This section of the town is the least populated and houses an ancient, 450-year-old Chapel. This chapel is named as – St. James Chapel. Within the compound of this chapel you can find the Moorwasser swimming pool.
  • Rubi: It is a tiny hamlet which has a population of less than 200 individuals..
  • Schöllang: This is a relatively denser section of the town and has typically constructed farm houses. Here you can also find the famous Baroque onion tower of the parish church. Additionally, it is also popular because of the castle church which dates back to the year 1531.
  • Tiefenbach: It is a small village and gets its name from a local variety of tree which is known as the Bergkiefer. The village is located right above the Breitach stream and houses a traditional spa which has been curing people of their illnesses since the 15th

All the adventures

Oberstdorf has a 200 kilometre long hiking trail that can be accessed at three different altitudes. In the context of sporting activities, the list can go endlessly. Essentially, Oberstdorf is well known for the winter sports and the region offers – 124 kilometres of slopes in addition to the 140 kilometres worth of prepared hiking trails and the otherwise available 75 natural trails. Oberstdorf is also one of the very few locations in the world where ski flying is allowed. The region played host to the Ski Flying World Cup last in February 2011 and the next is scheduled to take place here in the year 2018.

Oberstdorf also has produced some of the best skiers in the world, namely:

  • Andreas Bauer (jumpers)
  • Max Bolkart (jumpers)
  • Toni Brutscher (jumpers)
  • Peter Leitner (jumpers)
  • Frank Löffler (jumpers)
  • Thomas Müller (Nordic Combined)
  • Katrin Zeller (cross-country skier)
  • Oliver Rössel (paragliders)
  • Norbert Schramm (figure skater)
  • Georg Spaeth (jumpers)
  • Hansjörg Tauscher (downhill skier)
  • Sepp Weiler (jumpers)
  • Klaus Allgayer (jumpers)
  • Heini Ihle (jumpers)
  • David Speiser (snowboarders)
  • Christina Geiger (alpine skier)
  • Johannes Rydzek (Nordic Combined).

Nature and natural places are shrinking at a rapid rate, places like Oberstdorf have become a rarity. Hence one must do everything to soak in all that this Eden is offering. Take a look at the mentioned below lists to understand all the natural locations that you can visit and experience nature at its best:

Following is a list of the lakes that are located at varied heights and must be visited:

  • Christlessee: The water of this lake is so clean that it can be drunk straight, It is located in the Trettach valley.
  • Engeratsgundsee: This particular lake is located in the east of the Großer Daumen.
  • Freibergsee: The water from this lake is often used for bathing purposes and is located in the Stillach valley.
  • Unterer and Oberer Gaisalpsee.
  • Guggersee: It can be found situated by the Krumbach Ridgeway.
  • Hermannskarsee: The Hermannskarsee is located between the Großer Krottenkopf and the Marchspitze.
  • Koblatsee: Located in the Nebelhorn area, the Koblatsee provides a beautiful sight.
  • Laufbichelsee: It is also located on the Koblat of the Nebelhorn area close to Koblatsee.
  • Moorweiher: It is situated on the Krappberg.
  • Rappensee: One of the only lakes that is situated at a height of 2,047 metres above sea level.
  • Schlappoldsee: It can be reached by taking a train from the middle station of the Fellhornbahn.
  • Seealpsee: This lake is located above the Oytal.

Oberstdorf is surrounded by the Allgäu Alps. This mountain range reaches a height of 2600 metres above sea level and is a part of the Northern Limestone Alps. Within this range the most popular mountains are as follows:

  • Fellhorn: Measures 2,038 metres in height;
  • Himmelschrofen: It reaches a height of 1,791 metres;
  • Höfats: Also known as the ‘grass mountian’, the Höfats is 2,259 metres in height;
  • Kratzer: The Kratzer is 2,427 metres tall;
  • Großer Krottenkopf: The Großer Krottenkopf is 2,656 metres in height making it the tallest mountain in the Allgäu Alps;
  • Mädelegabel: It is 2,645 metres in height and is located in the lies on the Heilbronn Way;
  • Nebelhorn: It measures a total of 2,224 metres and can be reached with a cable car;
  • Rubihorn: It is about 1,957 metres in height;
  • Schattenberg: It is about 1,845 metres in height and is popular because of the ski jump station;
  • Schneck: It is one of the most unique mountains in the range because of its shape and measures a total of 2,268 metres in height;
  • Trettachspitze: It is 2,595 metres tall;
  • Hoher Ifen: It is 2,230 metres tall.

Among the various architectures and sights that can be seen in Oberstdorf, you can follow the following list:

  • Anne’s Chapel: It is located in Rohrmoos
  • Farmhouses: They date back to the 17th and 18th centuries
  • Breitachklamm: It is situated in Tiefenbach
  • Bundesleistungszentrum: Popualr for figure skating
  • Poets House: It is located in Kornau of Arthur Maximilian Miller
  • Einödsbach: It is one of the Germany’s southernmost settlements
  • Erdinger Arena: Also otherwise known as the Schattenbergschanze
  • Freibergsee: It is a lake which is located on the highest altitude in Germany
  • Gerstruben: It is an abandoned mountain village conservation centre
  • Heini Klopfer: It is the third largest ski jump in Germany
  • Illerursprung: It is the spot where Trettach , Stillach and Breitach flow together
  • Loretto chapels: It is located on the southern outskirts of the town
  • James Chapel: It is located in Reichenbach
  • The Natural History Centre: Located in the Old Town area
  • Penninger Schnapps Museum: The museum is a must visit because of it shows of the original focal species
  • Soul Chapel: This chapel dates back to the 15th century.