Diverse summer holiday in Oberstdorf in the Allgäu

Sunrise on the Grünten in the Allgäu: Nina and Tom from traveloptimizer take you on a beautiful hike in the mountains around Oberstdorf. The two set off at 5:30 a.m. in complete darkness for a sunrise hike on the Grünten. There, they want to start the day with a delicious mountain breakfast. Have you ever done a sunrise hike? If so, where did you go and how did you like it? Feel free to let us know in the comments. At the Kammeregg parking lot, the two early risers pack their breakfast bags from the hotel into their backpacks, put on their headlamps, and then start the approximately two-hour uphill hike. They climb just under 600 meters. This means the hike isn't too long and also leads up a blue-marked path. The two still have to be a little careful. In the first few meters, Nina almost stepped in cow dung. At an elevation of 1,200 m, the two pass the Alpe Kammeregg with its huge terrace. It's not worth stopping for a break here yet. But in sunshine, the terrace is certainly very inviting. A little later, it begins to dim. Fortunately, because the trail also becomes more challenging. The climb is no longer along a wide forest road, but rather along a narrow meadow path. Occasionally, the two marvel at the excellent view over large parts of the Allgäu region. Incidentally, the Grünten is also called the Guardian of the Allgäu due to its prominent location on the edge of the Alps. If you started a little late, you can already see the sunrise during the entire section across the ridge. You don't even have to be at the very top to see it. The sun is slowly breaking through to Nina and Tom's summit. Shortly before the summit, however, the climb becomes a bit steeper and more challenging. It's about another 15 minutes to the very top. And just a few steps later, the two glimpse the Jägerdenkmal (hunter's monument), the summit of the Grünten, for the first time. Then they reach the 1,737-meter-high summit. There, they have breakfast in the glow of the rising sun.

Outdoor blogger Magdalena Kalus is on the Hindelang via ferrata in Oberstdorf in the Allgäu region. The challenging via ferrata on the Nebelhorn takes you up to the Großer Daumen in 7 hours. The Nebelhornbahn takes you from Oberstdorf to the Nebelhorn summit station (2,224 m) in no time at all, directly to the access point for the Bad Hindelang via ferrata, where the cable cars start. The difficulty level of the Hindelang via ferrata in Bavaria is moderate to difficult, in category C. The Nebelhorn via ferrata is not fully secured and therefore requires a good level of surefootedness and a head for heights. There are repeated sections with single and double-pitch free climbing that must be mastered. The elevation gain to reach the Großer Daumen is approximately 300 meters, and the descent takes approximately 7 hours. What you should definitely have with you when climbing is, of course, a helmet, a harness and a via ferrata set, but a rest sling and via ferrata gloves are also an advantage. On the Hindelang via ferrata in the Allgäu Alps, absolute surefootedness and a head for heights are required, as there are some exposed passages. The path repeatedly leads over rocky, steep crags. In between there are some sections of terrain where there is no steel cable and your surefootedness is particularly required. According to Maggy, it is best to hang the carabiner in your harness during this time so that you have your hands free. The Bad Hindelang via ferrata in the Allgäu has a total of 3 exit options. This means you can shorten it as desired if you run out of energy. In total, this via ferrata in Oberstdorf has 110 meters of ladder and 800 meters of wire rope. The ridge from the Nebelhorn to the Großer Daumen is 5km long and offers a spectacular view of two mountain lakes and a 400-peak view of the Alps. Those who have successfully completed the ridge crossing can extend their tour as desired and reach the summit of the Grosses Daumen at 2,280 m in about half an hour. Alternatively, you can descend directly to the Nebelhorn mountain station, which takes two hours. On the way there, it's worth stopping at one of the two mountain lakes. From there, it's only a short walk to the Explorer Hotel, where you can perfectly end the day.

Leonie from Rad & Sport Blaichach in Allgäu takes you on a gravel bike tour to Christlessee Lake in Oberstdorf. The gravel bike tour to Christlessee Lake in Oberstdorf is approximately 50 kilometers long and takes about 2 to 3 hours. You'll climb 400 meters in elevation. There are great rest stops along the gravel bike tour. From the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf, the route follows the Breitach River. 700 meters from the hotel, you'll pass the source of the Iller River. This is where the Breitach, Stillach, and Trettach rivers converge to form the Iller. From the source of the Iller, the route continues to Reichenbach in Allgäu. From Reichenbach, the route continues towards Oberstdorf. On the way there, you'll already see the Himmelschrofen mountain, which separates the Trettach and Stillach lakes. To the left of the Himmelschrofen, the route leads to Christlessee Lake in the Trettach Valley. Once you arrive in Oberstdorf, you'll see the Nebelhornbahn cable car, which is located right in the town center. From Oberstdorf, the route leads into the Trettach Valley in the Allgäu region. If you want to extend your tour a bit, you can cycle from the Trettach Valley to the mountain farming village of Gerstruben. Gerstruben is one of the highest towns in Germany. Leonie, however, doesn't take the turnoff but continues on her gravel bike towards Christlessee Lake in Oberstdorf. Once you arrive at Christlessee Lake in the Trettach Valley, Leonie takes a short break and enjoys the view of the turquoise water before returning to the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf in Fischen in the Allgäu region. The gravel bike tour is ideal for beginners. However, you can easily vary the gravel bike tour. If you want more elevation, you can cycle to Gerstruben. The gravel bike tour in the Allgäu region is suitable for families, gravel bikers, and mountain bikers.

Sport buddy Franziska welcomes you from the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf in the Allgäu. The mountain bike tour to the Käseralpe starts from here. The mountain bike tour through the Oytal valley to the Käseralpe is 30 kilometers long. It covers 700 meters of elevation. The tour will take approximately 2-3 hours by mountain bike. It is a moderately difficult bike tour, so good fitness is required, especially due to the steep climbs. From the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf, you ride your mountain bike towards the Iller cycle path. After a few meters, you will pass the famous "Illerursprung" (source of the Iller). From there, you continue to the Nebelhornbahn cable car in Oberstdorf. From the Nebelhornbahn cable car, you then turn towards Oytal, where you will encounter the first climb of the mountain bike tour. From there, the route continues straight ahead on a fairly flat path until you pass the first nice place to stop for a break on the bike tour: the Oytalhaus. Shortly before the Stuibenfall, there are a few more climbs – but the steep ascent is worth it, because once you reach the Stuibenfall, you'll have an incredible view! From the Stuibenfall, the trail continues towards the Käseralpe, where it's quite steep at first, but gradually levels out. Once you reach the Käseralpe, you'll have a quick snack before heading back down to the valley via the gravel path. It's important to pay attention to safety on mountain bike tours and therefore always wear a helmet! On the way back to the valley, you'll pass the Oytalhaus again, where you can also rent scooters to shorten the route a bit – but we continued on our bikes back to the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf. Franzi's summary of this wonderful mountain bike tour: The tour has a few climbs, so you should definitely have a certain level of fitness. You can expect beautiful views of the Allgäu Alps and great places to stop for refreshments along the way, such as the Oytalhaus or the Käseralpe.

Mountain runner Gitti takes you on a challenging trail running tour to the Lower Gaisalpsee in the Allgäu Alps. Gitti welcomes you from the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf in Fischen. The trail running tour to the Gaisalpsee is 8 kilometers long and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. You'll climb around 750 meters in altitude. Once you reach the top, the highlight of the tour awaits you: the crystal-clear mountain lake is surrounded by the Allgäu mountains. The trail run is well-suited for advanced beginners. Directly from the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf, the first 2 kilometers run along the Iller River - perfect for warming up. The route continues along the meadow path from Rubi to Reichenbach and then through the Gaisalptobel - this is where the elevation gain begins. The Gaisalptobel and the Gaisalpsee are located in the Allgäu High Alps nature reserve - please be respectful of animals and nature. Gitti has reached the top of the Gaisalpe after about 5 kilometers. The Gaisalpe is the perfect place to stop for a break. From the hut, you have a view of the Rubihorn and the Hörner chain in the Allgäu. The mountain runner has reached the Lower Gaisalpsee at an altitude of 1,508 meters. The mountain lake lies below the Rubihorn. Experienced trail runners can extend the tour to the Rubihorn. You can return the same way or take the forest path from the Gaisalpe. A certain level of fitness is required for this tour, and you should already have some trail running experience.

Local Fabian will take you on a road bike ride to the highest drivable mountain pass in Germany: the Riedberg Pass in the Allgäu region. Fabian welcomes you from the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf in Fischen. From the sports hotel, the route heads towards Tiefenbach along the Breitach River – ideal for warming up. After Obermaiselstein, the route continues to the Riedberg Pass. The tour to the Riedberg Pass is approximately 20 kilometers long. Six kilometers of this is the pass road. It climbs approximately 500-600 meters, with a maximum gradient of 16%. On the way up, you'll enjoy fantastic views of the Allgäu mountains. You'll pass the Besler and Wannenkopf peaks, for example. The pass is also located near the Riedberger Horn in the Allgäu Alps, which gives the pass its name. Fabian has arrived at 1,409 meters. It took him approximately 1.5 hours to get from the Explorer Hotel Oberstdorf to the highest point of the Riedberg Pass. With a good level of fitness, the tour is definitely doable. The Riedberg Pass is part of the ONE TWENTY cycling race route.

Josefine presents five fantastic via ferratas in the Alps that you should know if you enjoy climbing. These include a spectacular ridge hike, a rope bridge over Tyrol's highest waterfall, beautiful mountain views, and athletic challenges.

Josefine takes you rafting on the Iller from Fischen to Sonthofen in the Allgäu.