Cross-country skiing in the Ammergau Alps

Winter sports activities in the Ammergau Alps at a glance

• Cross-country skiing in Saulgrub
• Winter hiking
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Tobogganing
• Ice skating and curling

The Ammergau Alps Nature Park is a winter paradise for cross-country skiers: 13 interconnected circuits are available to endurance athletes. In total, the network of trails is 180 kilometres long. The ADAC tests skiing and cross-country skiing areas every year and has awarded Ammergau's cross-country skiing facilities four out of five stars. Reasons for this included the well-maintained trails and the marvellous views of the mountains.

The "Saulgruber Runde" trail is recommended for both beginners and advanced skiers. It is 6.9 kilometres long and easy to master even without much practice or experience: From Achelesstrasse, you glide in a relaxed clockwise direction once around the Altenauer Moor while the fresh air blows around your nose. This loop takes a good three quarters of an hour. Cross-country skiing is free of charge in Saulgrub. Please note that there is no equipment hire service in the village.

Afterwards, you can stop off at the Naturfreundehaus Saulgrub right next to the cross-country ski trail and shake out your legs with a tasty snack at a fair price.

Ammergau Alps in summer

For a complete day trip, it is best to choose the route from Saulgrub to Bad Bayersoien and back again - a total of 15 kilometres and starting directly at the train station. Here you have the chance to hike along a stage of the meditation trail, which is well-known in the Ammergau Alps. During your hike, you can cool off with a dip in the clear waters of Lake Soier.

If you want to recharge your batteries with regional, Bavarian cuisine towards the end of the hike, the Acheleschwaig inn is just right for you - it is conveniently located directly on the trail on both hiking tours. Another little tip: why not combine your hike with a boat trip? On the south side of the small moorland lake there is a kiosk and a boat hire centre. Rowing boats can usually be hired there from the first of May.

How to get there

It is only an eight-minute walk from Saulgrub railway station to the Naturfreundehaus Saulgrub, the starting point of the cross-country ski trail. When you come out of the railway station, first turn left along Ammergauer Straße heading north until you cross Achelestraße. Turn left here. After 500 metres, the road leads you directly to the starting point of the cross-country ski trail.