Things to do from Haus NH40. Close by.

From the Renksteg the path eases into the Trettach valley, past the Christlessee and back along the far side. The main path is paved and pram-friendly, and because it keeps to the shade of the slopes for much of the way it walks well even on hot summer days. Stop in at the Café-Restaurant Christlessee or the Mumme Stüble as you go. A relaxed half-day to take without hurry — more on the lake itself under Water & gorge.

Sölli's adventure trail winds twelve hands-on stations along the ridge and quietly takes away any sense of walking uphill at all. There's an XXL wooden snowcat to climb on, a 200-metre wooden ball run, and the highest forest adventure park in Germany. The cable car up is included in Bergbahn Unlimited, so it costs nothing extra. A day for the whole family that begins at the top and tells itself on the way down.

Take the Nebelhornbahn up to the Höfatsblick station, then a short walk along the ridge, and there it is: a classic DAV hut with a sun terrace, a simple menu and honest prices. Take the morning lift and you're up for breakfast; hike up in the evening and you sleep with the Höfats outside the window. In season, a booking is worth it.

The classic hut on the E5 and the Heilbronner high route — a name every long-distance walker knows. The climb from the Spielmannsau bus terminus runs up through the Sperrbachtobel: shaded, accompanied by streams, demanding yet never an exposed trail. It works well as a day tour, and from here the Heilbronner route opens up for anyone going further. Overnight stays by reservation only.

A long ridge from the Nebelhorn to the Großer Daumen — and no route for a first attempt: a via-ferrata kit, helmet and gloves are required. It's long, fitness-demanding and has unprotected passages, so anyone setting out should know what they're doing. And anyone who's done it understands why it's among the best known in the Alps. Guided day tours run through the Alpinschule Oberstdorf.

The classic three-tower ferrata across the Kemptner-, Wengen- and Schafalpenkopf, famous for its spectacular rock formations. It's comparatively well protected and shorter than the Hindelanger — a good way into the region's more serious routes. The Mindelheimer Hütte serves as a base, reached via the Fellhorn cable car, so the tour also works as a two-day outing with an overnight stay.

The best-known mountain lake above Oberstdorf — and the easiest way to reach one: take the Nebelhorn cable car to the Höfatsblick station at 1,932 metres, then drop down over the Zeigersattel. About an hour later there it is, high above the Oytal on the south-east flank of the Schattenberg. The way back is the same path in reverse — the 370 metres you were given on the way down, you earn on the way up. The Hintere Seealpe serves food in summer, roughly July to early October, weather permitting. If you would rather not return to the lift, walk out through the Oytal: long, beautiful, and home on foot at the end.

For many the most beautiful mountain lake in the Allgäu — and unlike the Seealpsee, no cable car takes the climb off your hands. From Reichenbach the path climbs steadily past the Gaisalpe until, after two and a half to three hours, three and a half hectares of turquoise water sit in the cirque. Above it stands the Rubihorn, 1,957 metres. A rockfall destroyed its summit path in September 2025 and the route had to be rebuilt — whether it is open again is a question for the DAV Oberstdorf; we link, we promise nothing. The upper Gaisalpsee lies another 260 metres higher still.

The guardian of the Allgäu stands clear of the main chain, which is exactly why it sees further than any summit in the valley basin: north across the alpine foreland, south onto the Allgäu high alps. There is no cable car — the project, planned for years, was abandoned for good, and the Grünten stays a walking mountain. The Grüntenhütte is closed until further notice; the Alpe Kammeregg serves food. Of everything listed here, this is the one tip where the car genuinely earns its keep — or train and bus via Sonthofen. Pairs well with the Starzlachklamm at its foot.

South from the house into the Stillach valley, following the brook all the way to Birgsau. It's paved with almost no climb, so beginners and families manage it easily — about an hour of gentle spinning by e-bike. Stop in at the Birgsauer Stube or down at the Eschbach. One of the quietest rides in the valley, and an easy one to turn around on whenever you like.

Through the Stillach valley towards the Walserschanz, the historic border post with Austria. The climb is gentle, well signposted and lined with plenty of benches to catch your breath. There's coffee at the Walserschanz, or you can carry on into the Kleinwalsertal. No passport needed — but the country quietly changes under your tyres.

East into the Oytal, one of the quieter Allgäu valleys, on a gravel track that climbs steadily to the Käseralpe at 1,200 metres. A hut stop with an Allgäu cheese platter waits at the top, and then it's the same way back down. The gravel is solid and the descent is fun — just take care when it's wet.

The big day out from NH40: through Birgsau into the Rappenalp valley, then up the forest road to the Sennalpe Breitengehren at 1,500 metres. The last kilometre steepens, and after it the view opens to the Mädelegabel and the surrounding high Allgäu peaks. There's buttermilk and farm cheese at the alp to see you home. A full day in the saddle — best on an e-bike.

The highest paved pass in Bavaria, ridable straight from Oberstdorf. Up via Tiefenbach it climbs at a steady nine percent over almost nine kilometres, with a snack stop and the full Allgäu view at the top. Watch out on the descent: this is a motorbike road and busy at weekends. A classic for road riders.

Through the Walserschanz into the Kleinwalsertal, then the long climb to the Hochtannbergpass — seven percent over fifteen kilometres, steady and never brutal. The Vorarlberg border waits at the top, with views towards the Bregenzerwald, and the best ice cream on the pass is on the Austrian side. A 130-kilometre day with over 1,500 vertical metres.

Germany's highest lake you can actually swim in, and on a hot day the obvious place to be: a three-metre diving platform, a swim raft, a lawn at the shore and pedal- and rowing-boats for hire. The water reaches 25 °C in high summer and a fresh 18 in early June, and entry is reduced with the Allgäu-Walser-Card. About 20 minutes away by bike, 25 on foot — and worth every one of them.

Set in the Trettach valley and fed by underground springs that keep it moving, so it never freezes even in the hardest winters. Swimming isn't allowed here for conservation reasons, but the water runs so clear that you can see straight to the bottom. A walking path circles it, and a bench in the right light is about all you need.

The deepest rock gorge in Central Europe, with wooden walkways threading along the rock walls, sometimes high above and sometimes right beside the rushing water. It's cool in summer and hung with icicles in winter — the gorge is open year-round. Reach Tiefenbach by bike or bus; solid shoes and a rain jacket are a good idea.

In Obermaiselstein, about fifteen minutes by car from Oberstdorf, a 100-metre-deep limestone cave opens up that you can only enter with a guide. It holds a constant eight degrees inside, so bring a sweater. It suits younger children from age six and makes a nice half-day, easily combined with the Breitachklamm.

The new spa in the town centre, just eight minutes west of the house. There's an infinity pool with mountain views, three themed saunas, a Kneipp basin and sports and adventure pools — 3,000 square metres of sauna and 2,000 of water. Overnight guests pay twenty percent less with the Allgäu-Walser-Card. The spa opened in early 2026.

The historic outdoor pool with real Allgäu peat water — no chemicals, dark brown from the humic acids, and a genuine rarity in Germany. It's open in summer, May to September, with lawns under old trees and a diving platform. A touch of 1920s summer-resort charm; unlike the new thermal spa, this is not wellness but tradition — about fifteen minutes on foot from the house.

The Breitachklamm's little sister, at the foot of the Grünten between Burgberg and Sonthofen: narrower, wilder, far less busy — and at three euros, nearly free. If you want more, you do not walk beside it but straight through it: the Starzlachklamm is one of the best-known canyoning spots in the Allgäu, with guided tours from around 99 euros, entry included. The Grünten rises directly above — together they make a full day.