Bidish Travel can sometimes be the product of years of contemplating a certain place, jotting it down in every tentative bucket list you carve out, and dreaming about the day when you may finally visit the place. In contrast, travel can also sometimes be about not knowing where you are going, following a random tip you receive, and loving the place so much that it echoes in every travel story you ever share in the future.
I discovered Oberstdorf in a latter fashion, wherein I took a tip from my long-time mentor and just decided to hop on a train from Munich to Oberstdorf. My only hope from that trip was to see nature and hopefully hike a bit. Everybody talked about the natural beauty of Bavaria and I was missing Nepal’s natural landscape a little bit so I had to visit and see what it looked like. That day, I attempted to summit the Nebelhorn but ran agonizingly short on time because of my careless plan. I attempted two more times and finally summited it three years later, which I have also documented in this hiking guide to Nebelhorn.
Anyways, a comprehensive guide about the best things to do in Oberstdorf was a long time coming, especially after my Instagram reel got viral. So, I have finally sat down to show you in writing what a beautiful place Oberstdorf is and the things that you can do there. In addition to the beautiful hiking trails and opportunities for winter sports, there are many other things to do in Oberstdorf that can make up for a wonderful vacation. Be it Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter, Oberstdorf always has impeccable beauty on offer. Let’s go through the list.
Best Things to do in Oberstdorf Year-Round
1. Enjoy the train ride
I’d say your vacation starts before you even reach the town. The train ride to Oberstdorf is undoubtedly the most beautiful train ride that I’ve experienced in Germany, especially the last 30 minutes. In Spring, Autumn, Winter, and also rarely in the Summer season, you will be able to see snow-capped mountains from the train which is a treat to follow along. The mountains will crisscross along the train route demanding you to switch sides to enjoy the best views.
2. Explore the town
With a dreamy backdrop of mountainous landscapes and every street corner offering its own charismatic viewpoint, taking a leisurely stroll and soaking in the mountain atmosphere is the very first thing you should do in Oberstdorf. There are many coffee shops, tiny bakeries, outdoor gear shops, and creative souvenir markets that are worth spending some time on. All year round, the town is particularly visited by outdoor sports enthusiasts — such as walkers, hikers, bikers, and also skaters during the winter months — who add to the charm.
3. Walk from Trettachtal to Christelssee
At Trettach Straustufe, you will be able to witness a breathtaking view. Imagine a calm river flowing with the backdrop of lush green landscapes and snowcapped mountains. If you enjoy natural surroundings but don’t prefer hiking up the altitude, consider taking a panoramic walk starting from Trettach Straustufe to Christelssee. You will walk along a beautiful trail, with a calm river flowing next to you and a view that your eyes probably won’t be tired of chasing. Continue on that route until you reach Christelssee, a small lake with crystal-clear turquoise water.
The walk takes about an hour and while the lake (Christelssee) is quite small, it is a lovely place to visit during your time in Oberstdorf, especially because the walk itself is quite scenic.
4. Hike the Nebelhorn peak
If you are in the mood for hiking, do not miss the absolutely scenic hiking route to Nebelhorn. Standing at 2224 meters, Nebelhorn is one of the highest peaks in Germany and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of over 400 mountain peaks from the summit.
The best time to hike Nebelhorn is during the months of May to October. Some high-altitude parts of the hike might be blocked or affected by snow depending on the time of year, so I would recommend you to cautiously decide on the hike. However, you can always hike until the point where it’s safe and accessible and enjoy the view from there. The views get better with every elevation you make. You can find more information about the hike in my other post, Hike to Nebelhorn Oberstdorf.
Alternatively, you can also take a cable car (June – October) to directly reach the peak. There is a restaurant where you can feast on beers, traditional meals and relax with the best view of the alps. I have mentioned the relevant cable car prices below. (Updated June 2025)
To the Nebelhorn and back
Adults: 52.5 EUR | Student (below 27 years with ID): 40.5 EUR
To the Hofatsblick station and back
Adults: 45.5 EUR | Student (below 27 years with ID): 35 EUR
To the Seealpe station and back
Adults: 32.5 EUR | Student (below 27 years with ID): 25 EUR
Descent from Hofatsblick station
To Oberstdorf – Adults: 34 EUR | Student (below 27 years with ID): 26 EUR
To Seealpe station – Adults: 24 EUR | Student (below 27 years with ID): 18 EUR
For more cable car prices and information, please visit this link.
Note: There are also additional hiking routes in Oberstdorf, such as Gaisalpsee, Rubihorn, Breitachklamm, etc. so you have a variety of hiking options to choose from.
5. Explore The Breitachklamm Gorge
Breitachklamm Gorge is one of the most beautiful gorges in Germany, located only an hour walk away from Oberstdorf. Every natural spectacle is a treat to watch and Breitachklamm Gorge showcases a beautiful soaring and burbling of the Breitach river through a narrow gorge; turned even cooler with splashes of water coming your way.
During winter, the water freezes, creating amazing ice sculptures which portray a grandish appearance. Additionally, a night hike through Breitachklamm Gorge is offered twice a week in winter wherein you can view the majestic ice formations with only the help of a torchlight. I haven’t done that but I agree that it sounds magical.
The entrance ticket price for an adult (16 years and older) is 7.50 EUR per person, while for children (5-15 years), it is 2.50 EUR per person. The Breitachklamm Gorge is open for visitors during both the winter and summer months, and only closed during the snowmelt period (commonly March – June) and late autumn. You can conveniently buy the tickets online for your visit.
Note: It is worth noting that the Breitachklamm Gorge may be closed unexpectedly on any day for safety reasons. Consider checking the official website before visiting.
6. Explore Immenstadt-im-Allgäu
If you are looking for a short excursion from Oberstdorf, Immenstadt-im-Allgäu is the perfect place. The Großer Alpsee located in Immenstadt-im-Allgäu is the major highlight of the town. With a total area of 2.5 square kilometers, that includes 3 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width, the lake is a must-visit for travelers visiting the Allgäu region. The lake area feels calm, yet lively, with people immersing themselves in the calm lake water, either swimming, boating, or just relaxing on the promenade by dipping their legs and drinking beers.
Another thrilling experience in Immenstadt-im-Allgäu is to take a Toboggan ride, which is the longest year-round Toboggan ride in Germany. The experience of sliding down from atop a hill in open air is too thrilling to miss. The tickets cost 15.50 EUR (for adults) if you choose to take a chairlift to the peak and ride down in Toboggan (or chairlift), or only 8.50 EUR if you hike to the top and ride down via Toboggan. You can check the current information on their website (Alpsee Bergwelt) before visiting.
7. Hike or Bike to the Lake Freibergsee
Freibergsee (or Lake Freiberg) is a scenic mountain lake near Oberstdorf. Adding to its scenic appeal, the lake is also a place where people rush to when the heat starts going up a notch during summer. It only means one thing: you should pack your swimsuit when you’re visiting in summer. ; )
Entry to the natural pool costs 6 EUR for adults (as of 2024). You can reach the lake only on foot or by bike, so you could imagine the lake being less crowded than the common pools. The hike length is 7 kilometers with the elevation gain/loss of 157m; the total time to reach the lake and return back to Oberstdorf by hiking will take you about 3 hours.
7. Visit the tourist information office
Additionally, you can always visit the tourist information office for current information and I highly recommend you do that. Small tourist towns like Oberstdorf have a lot of activities all year round which are targeted to travelers like us who can experience the cultural celebrations of the region. They will provide you with the current updates of seasonal markets and events (if any), along with up-to-date information on the best things to do in Oberstdorf.
Also, feel free to follow @oberstdorf.de on Instagram and join their channel for regular inspiration and updates regarding the place.
Reaching Oberstdorf via Public Transport
Oberstdorf can be easily reached via regional DB trains and is also perfect if you’re planning for a day trip to Oberstdorf from nearby locations. The Deutschland Ticket works for regional trains and buses. From Munich, you can take RE 76 which goes until Oberstdorf and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. From Stuttgart, it will be a bit of a stretch at 3 hours 30 minutes but definitely doable (I have done it thrice, leaving early morning from Stuttgart and returning late at night). You can refer to the following route.
| From Stuttgart | Duration: ~4 hours Route: Stuttgart Hbf to Ulm (1.5 hours) – RE 5 Ulm Hbf to Oberstdorf ( 2 hours) – RE 75 |
| From Munich | Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes Route: Munich to Oberstdorf – RE 76 |
| From Konstanz | Duration: ~3 hours Route: Multiple connections going through Lindau-Reutin |
Public transportation within Oberstdorf
Special bus lines in Oberstdorf — typically the ones that run through the tourist attractions — are not covered by the Deutschland ticket and you will need to buy an additional ticket for those.
Specifically, bus lines 1, 7, and 8 are not included in the Deutschland Ticket, as they’re either cross-border routes, privately operated, or mainly for tourists. However, you can hop on the bus lines 9, 44, and 45 for free with your Deutschland Ticket. If you are unsure, you can always show the ticket to the bus driver and inquire if the ticket works. For detailed information regarding transport pass, you can go through this link.
Other practical tips for your trip to Oberstdorf:
- Best sandwiches – Try the sandwiches and bakery items in Die Brotrebellen, located at the train station. We loved how great value for money and delicious they were. We make sure to spend some time in that bakery every time we visit Oberstdorf.
- Budget snacks – Lidl (500m) and Norma (700m) from the train station offer affordable options. Now you know where to go for budget-friendly snacks and drinks and if you’re in the mood for a picnic. 🙂
- Local treat: In some streets, we found a vending machine that provided fresh regional milk. The Alpine region is famous for its milk products so if you’re in the mood, that’d be a refreshing local treat too.
- Carry cash: Consider carrying some cash as the mountain huts do not normally take card payments. The price for 500ml beer ranges from 4-6 EUR and soft drinks range from 3-5 EUR. A good traditional meal costs over 15 EUR.
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