Hidden Gems outside Munich
 

I thought since the Munich Favorites discussion thread generated so many good responses, I would try another Munich/southern Bavaria related topic.

How about favorite 'hidden gems' within an easy day trip commute from Munich. Emphasis on things to see, do, experience that are off the normal tourist trail. I am not talking about Fussen, Saltzburg, Garmisch etc.

I remember on my first trip to Munich, my wife and I stayed in Freising which is north of Munich on the S1 S-Bahn. We decided to go into Munich for dinner, and were hurrying to get to the platform to catch the next RE train into Munich which was comming before the next S-Bahn. We had a Bayern Day ticket on this day.

A few minutes after getting on the train we realized it wasn't going to Munich. It was going to Landshut, which is in the opposite direction, and which at that time was a very strange sounding town to me.

As luck had it, we decided to see Landshut as long as we were going there and have dinner there. We were surprised at what a beautiful little town it is with pastel colored buildings in the alstadt and a number of nice looking restaurants.

We liked it so much we said next time we come back we are going to stay for a night. It is only 60 minutes approx from Munichs central train station. I guess the moral of the story is if you want to discover great new places just get on the wrong train.

We enjoyed Bad Tolz, an hour South of Munich. Lovely pastel shopping district. Stayed at the Kolbergarten and had the best gourmet meal of our trip there. Watched an oomph-pa band.

We also enjoyed Bad Tolz- they have a nice bath there too.
We stopped off in Kochel Am See for the Franz Marc museum, I'm not sure this would be too many people's idea of a "hidden little gem" unless you are a fan of Marc's work.

Wasserburg on the Inn river is just 40 minutes east of Munich and its town centre from the Middle Ages is worth a day or two of leisurely exploration.

Harzer

Is anyone familiar with the Altmuhl area, and the towns up there?

I have heard that there are some pretty walking trails that lead from one town to the next. Anyone have any expertise in that area?

The whole Altmuehltal is quite scenic. It is a Naturpark, designated for its beauty.The villages/ towns are not very far apart. I have driven through there from Treuchtlingen to Eichstaett and Ingolstadt a few times, but never hiked. Check the website for Eichstaett (www.eichstaett.de)and Pappenheim (www.pappenheim.de). They are both in German, though.

http://www.urlaub-im-altmuehltal.de/index.htm
It's my favourite destination for short trip from Munich. Stay in Beilngries and hike to Riedenburg. Beautiful view from the castle. And yes, I've never seen so many butterflies in one place. Prices for food and rooms are unbelivably low but nice and clean. Now the secret's out, but I'm not scared because foreign tourists won't go there anyway.

Forgot to add. Whatch out for ticks! Better make sure you're vaccinated. These beasts are dangerous and plentyful.

Thanks logos. That is a helpful link. Are you serious about the ticks, or was that your attempt to scare off some of the tourists that you just enlightened to your little paradise???

ticks are indeed an issue in the Altmuehltdal area. I used to go there quite frequently and got me a vaccination. Also beware of deer when driving on one of the small winding roads there during dust or dawn!

"Forgot to add. Whatch out for ticks! Better make sure you're vaccinated."

Vaccinated for which dislease?

Thanks, Gary

Meningitis.

Want to point out that I hardly consider the Altmuehltal region just outside Munich - rather outside Nuremberg - and even that is a bit of a drive away.

It's about 150km north of Munich.

Another tip:

Kloster Weltenburg

http://www.klosterschenke-weltenburg.de/

kvasir,

You have to tell me about that place, it looks awesome. I can't read German very well so the website is not real helpful. But, the pictures are awesome.

How do you get there. Whats the town like. Thanks much.

The most scenic alternative is the ship from Regensburg (look at the Altmühltal site), Regensburg is worth a stop. The town was hit by one bomb in WWII, they simply forgot to bomb it. The old city is impressive. From there the boat will go to the Walhalla http://www.walhalla-regensburg.de/deutsch/index.shtml
Ludwig 1'st famous hall of the German heroes. Walk up there, it's worth it. The tour finishes in Weltenburg. Have some beer there :-).

Interesting thread, thanks for the idea, b2w. Bumping for future reference.

born2wonder

It is an monastery directly at the danube. They have a very nice beergarden and brew their own beer. You can go there from Kelheim by boat. Or by car (directions):
http://www.klosterschenke-weltenburg...hrtsspinne.jpg

Kvasir,

Sounds like a boat trip from Regensburg to the kloster at Kelheim, and a beer garden lunch or dinner would be a great day trip. Thanks for the idea. Kloster Weltenburg really looks like a gem.

Regensburg ... Kelheim ... Kloster Weltenburg ... Altmühltal ...

All great places to go, but 'within an easy day trip from Munich'?

Harzer