Activities in the Allgäu: Insider Tips for the Westallgäu-region

The Westallgäu is part of the foothills of the Alps and one of the most beautiful at that: gently rolling hills and wide valleys, flower meadows and picturesque villages.

There are countless possibilities for activities in the Allgäu all year round. Enjoy the unique nature and the fresh air.

For hikers, everything is possible in the Westallgäu, from relaxed walks to demanding mountain tours. But you don’t have to explore everything on foot. Rent or bring your e-bike or mountain bike and explore the foothills this way.

Beginning in November the Allgäu transforms into a winter wonderland. The alps offer the best conditions for cross-country skiing, sledding and alpine skiers.

Cycling, skiing and all that is not really up your alley? Then how about some cultural exploring? Lovingly designed museums and numerous festivals are open to all visitors.

The unique location between the Alps and Lake Constance offers countless attractions for the whole family.

Lake Constance is only 35 km away from Maierhöfen. Decide between a boat trip and / or swimming and you are sure to enjoy a day at the lake.

Or marvel at the royal castles in Füssen and visit the historic old towns of Wangen, Isny and Bregenz.

There is also a large selection of sports and leisure opportunities. For example, within a radius of 25 kilometers you can indulge your passion on 7 golf courses.

And numerous adventure parks and swimming pools invite you to splash around.

Welcome to the Westallgäu!

Summer fun

We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to live here in the Westallgäu. But we also want to share this little space in the world with you and show you around.

Here are some tips for your holiday with us at Sontheim’s: Get away from everyday life – our nature simply makes you happy!

Starting point: Sontheim’s Naturhotel & SPA
Difference in altitude: 325 m
Elevation: 347 m
Length: 7.5 km
Walking time: 2:50 h

Take the uppward leading path from the hotel towards Maierhöfen to the Iberghalle and the holiday club. At the information board in the holiday club take a right onto the way past the enclosure with Scottish highland cattle. After a few hundred meters, keep right over the stream and walk slightly uphill. Before the meadows, the path branches off to the left uphill from the main path, crosses a forest path after approx. 250 meters and goes on steeply uphill to the highest point in the Westallgäu, the Kugel.

From here you can enjoy the view of the Oberstdorf mountains in the distance. Now the track leads onto a narrow path to the right past the Wieder-river in the forest and downhill again to the wayside cross. Cross it and descend along the so-called Schluchtentobel, with its dangerous, steep drops towards Riedholz. From Riedholz move in the direction of the Staatstraße / Eistobel, cross it and then go in the direction of Steinmetz and back to the hotel.

Its rich, varied flora shows a charming display of colors over the course of the seasons. If you are lucky you can see wild swans and rare birds. The quiet here is almost eerie in the early morning hours.

Starting point: Sontheim’s Naturhotel & SPA
Difference in altitude: 154 m
Elevation: 211 m
Length: 10 km
Walking time: 3:00 h

From the hotel take the asphalt road towards Happach. Turn right at the intersection. After about 300 meters you cross the main road to Isny ​​in the direction of Vorholz. There the path leads to the right in the direction of Warmhalden. From here you have a beautiful view of the Austrian and Swiss Alps. Continue walking along the meadows and later through the forest to the wayside cross. Here you leave the paved road and follow the hiking trail towards Hengelesweiher. You go around this and get to the parking lot at the pond. From there the path leads about 150 meters across the street and then branches off to the left into a dirt path in the direction of the holiday club. follow it slightly uphill to the crossroads. The path leads through the forest, later through meadows to the holiday club. The track leads up to the holiday club and then downhill back to Maierhöfen.

Starting point: Sontheim’s Naturhotel & SPA
Difference in altitude: 99 m
Elevation: 219 m
Length: 7.00 km
Walking time: 3:00 h

The unique nature reserve Eistobel can be easily reached from Maierhöfen on hiking trails. If you take to the road, you will arrive at the 200 meter long Argentobel Bridge, 2 kilometers away. From there you can look down more than 50 meters and hear the water crashing down the rocks. A path leads into the gorge and 3 kilometers upstream, along an unique natural phenomenon.

The forest supplies sume desperately needed shade in the summer and lines the banks of the Argen-river. Upstream you will spot the first waterfall, which thunders down into an emerald-green basin surrounded by rocks. A little further you get to the “Zwinger” – a tangle of gigantic Conglomerate blocks which the entire flood rushes through. The subsequent part of the Eistobel has an almost alpine character. Keep your eyes open to spot the erosion of thousands of years by the meltwater of the Rhine glacier, which created the romantic gorge of the Eistobel.

The Eistobel offers interesting things not only for geologists, but also for animal and plant lovers. Rare animal and plant species have made this reserve their home and wait to be discovered.

From the hotel, turn left towards Steinmetz, continue on the asphalt road towards Argentobel Bridge, past the ticket office and then go steeply downhill. Once at the bottom, you walk upstream on comfortable footpaths through a mixed forest. After about 15 minutes you reach the “Zwinger”, a collection of huge Conglomerate blocks. From here the path narrows as it was partly blown out of the rock. Now the gorge is widened, which is marked by a high, yellow sandstone wall.

The adjoining rock claw is easily accessible through a secured rock path. Soon you will reach the top waterfall. Above it, a footbridge leads to the other side of the river at a lofty height and allows you to fully enjoy the grandeur of the scenery. After crossing the footbridge, we keep to the left and walk through the forest, then along the edge of the forest on a field path towards Riedholz from the direction of the Staatsstraße / Eistobel, cross the road towards Steinmetz and back to the hotel.

Starting point: Sontheim’s hotel
Difference in altitude: 97 m
Elevation: 112 m
Length: 4.7 km
Walking time: 1:30 h

The unique sculptures along the circular route were created by 11 artists native to the Westallgäu. If you walk in the direction of Steinmetz Schrade along the stream, cross it and follow the track a little longer you will be greeted by colorful meadows with a wide variation of flowers as well as a mythical forests. A beautiful view of the Allgäu, Austrian and Swiss mountains is guaranteed. Turn right at the intersection and follow the unpaved track, then the asphalt road in the direction of Maierhöfen back to the hotel.

Hiking maps and the overview map of the Allgäu hiking trilogy are available free of charge at Sontheim’s hotel.

View of the Nagelfluhkette and Oberstdorf mountains

Because of the forest, the track is imprecise here, so just follow the path uphill to the summit. Then continue on the ridge to the Iberg (look to the north, the Eistobel bridge should be on the left). 250m before the Iberg mountain there is a narrow path as a shortcut to the Iberg. The descent begins here (a request to the cyclists: please say hello to the hikers and do not annoy them by driving too fast). After the forest, a beautiful mountain view and alpine meadows await you.

The four Argental communities have issued a new hiking map on a scale of 1: 25,000 with hiking suggestions, height profiles and UMT grids for GPS users, which can be obtained from the municipality and in some cases from local landlords.

The “Westallgäu-Bodensee” cycling map (scale 1: 50,000) is available in the guest offices in Röthenbach and Maierhöfen. A total of 11 selected routes are described there.

Winter-activities in the Allgäu

Snow-covered peaks and forests covered in powdery sugar – enjoy this wonderful winter landscape in the Westallgäu.

If you like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing you are at the right place. Well-maintained winter hiking trails and an extensive network of trails leave no wish unanswered.

Alpine skiers get their money’s worth at the Flucken and Iberg lifts. Sledging fans will find that on the great toboggan slopes the whole family can have fun.

Experience a winter fairy tale with thick snow-covered meadows and forests and the fantastic view of the mountains.

Welcome to the Allgäu winter!

Nature Hotel Allgäu - Wellness Hotel Sontheim

Culture and customs

In the Westallgäu, life between tradition and modernity is not contradictory.

Visit lovingly designed museums such as the German Hat Museum (Deutsches Hutmuseum) in Lindenberg or the Ski Museum on Oberreute. Experience the bonfire that are lit to say goodbye to winter or the cattle shed – an alpine tradition in autumn. At many festivals you can hear the alphorn blowers or the music bands, which provide atmospheric entertainment all year round.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Western Allgäu!

… is located in the middle of gently rolling, wooded hills at the northern end of the Argental.

Meadows, pastures and forests as well as numerous individual farms and small villages shape the landscape around the Westallgäu village and invite you to go on long hikes. The history of the Maierhöfer began before Christ by the close proximity to the Roman military road and later by the bitter struggle of the farmers for their own parish.

Anyone who has Maierhöfer ancestors is of a relentless, eager and urbane type who knows how to shape their own future.

The natives love music and dance. The traditional cultural asset in its numerous facets is enthusiastically nurtured and lived.

Agriculture and livestock farming has long ceased to be the main livelihood of the Allgäu. But it is a mainstay and a tradition with commitment and it is run with a lot of love for nature.

One of the biggest attractions is the panoramic, 1069 meter high Riedholzer Kugel. The Eistobel nature reserve is also unique.

When the cows are herded down from the mountain pastures into the village in September, the Viehscheid party is celebrated in Maierhöfen.
For three days the natives celebrate with the visitors on the main square.

The Almabtrieb is the highlight of late summer in many Allgäu towns. The animals are lovingly decorated with elaborate wreaths and large bells, and after the alpine summer they are brought back to the stables in the valley. You absolutely have to be part of this unforgettable experience.

Fire – a sign of life between Christian faith and pre-Christian times – accompanies the Allgäu through the first half of the year.

Just in time for the beginning of Lent, on the Sunday after the end of Mardi Gras, bonfires light up the night sky in many exposed places in the Westallgäu. The Alemannic custom from the distant past – symbolized by a straw witch – was supposed to drive away and ward off evil spirits.

Today the bonfire is a sociable and visually attractive occasion. On top of that, it brings culinary delights in the form of sweet “Funke-Kiechla”, which are simply part of the sparkling fire.

Excursions in the area

The leisure opportunities in the Westallgäu holiday region are almost inexhaustible. Whether on a trip to Lake Constance or to the royal castles in Füssen – you won’t be bored here. Families with children can visit many attractions such as the Alpsee Coaster or the Ravensburger Spieleland.

The Hochseilgarten Bärenfalle (an artificially constructed climbing course made from wood, ropes and other clever elements) has 14 different course courses with around 150 elements that are installed in the trees between 1 and 15 meters high.

Children older than 6 years and above the height of about 1.20 meters can climb in the high ropes course. The yellow, orange and green courses are specially designed for the needs of children. Children up to 14 years of age need the company of an adult to visit the high ropes course, who also pays attention to safety.

Captain Blaubär’s Abenteuerfahrt
The incredible ride with the Blaubär fleet is one of the most exciting adventures you can go on with kids. Here nothing seems impossible. So don’t be surprised if your boat suddenly drives past the island of the Teabag Indians or you come across wandering lighthouses in a cave.

Fix & Foxi excavation pit
Children’s dreams come true here: 10 original Komatsu construction site excavators are waiting in the large gravel pit. After a short briefing, builders big and small shovel whatever it takes in twos or alone.

There is alot going on. On the approx. 3 km long route with its 68 downhill bends, 23 waves, 7 jumps, 4 bridges over paths, ravines and brooks.

The thrill of the rapid descent on the year-round route takes six to ten minutes. Grownups of all ages are enthusiastic about the crazy route.

The open-air museum on pile dwellings is family and child friendly and has always been one of the highlights on Lake Constance.

The guided tours and programs focus particularly on children. True-to-original replicas of objects as they existed thousands of years ago may be touched for a better understanding.

The circular routes can be used with prams. There are relaxation rooms and a baby changing room.

A museum for the whole family.

Spend some wonderful hours with your family in Germany’s highest open-air museum.
Embark on a journey through time into the hard life and work of mountain farmers.

There is no boredom in the Bergbauernmuseum in Diepolz. The children can play in the play forest, jump in the haystack or pet animals. Guided tours, or courses on buttering, felting and beekeeping are offered.

Naturhotel & Spa Sontheim - Wellness Hotel Allgäu