Discover Oberstaufen: mountain lifts and hiking trails

If you’re considering Oberstaufen as a destination for your stay, its mountain scenery, mountain lifts and hiking trails offer practical points of reference. Hochgrat and the Nagelfluhkette rise above Oberstaufen. Three mountain lifts are part of the local offering, and four hiking trails have been awarded the Premium Hiking Trail designation by the German Hiking Institute. When planning your hotel and trip, you can first consider whether you would rather focus on the mountain scenery, the lifts or the hiking trails.

Mountain lifts and alpine heights

The three mountain lifts in Oberstaufen take you up into the mountains or make the descent back to the valley easier. The Hochgratbahn takes you up to Oberstaufen’s local mountain and into alpine heights. When planning, both the ascent and assistance with the return journey may therefore be relevant. The Hochgratbahn operates seasonally; mountain lift operations can also change. Before planning a visit, check the latest operating information rather than assuming a ride will always be available.

Hiking trails and themed paths

Four hiking trails in Oberstaufen have been awarded the Premium Hiking Trail designation by the German Hiking Institute. The tour finder also offers a selection of more than 200 trails. These are different points of reference: the award applies to a group of four trails, while the search selection provides a broader overview. If you want to choose based on the award, it offers a clearly defined criterion; if you want to explore more options, the tour finder is a broader starting point. It is maintained, but the number of trails may change. So check the current selection when planning your specific trip.

At Imberg, the Alperlebnispfad (Alpine Experience Trail) combines exercise with interesting information about local flora and fauna and work on the alpine pastures at 47 stations. The trail was updated for the 2026 summer season. Near Oberstaufen, Germany’s first MounTeens detective trail leads through stations for solving puzzles and getting active in the hiking area at Hündle. The focus differs: at Imberg, nature and alpine farming are central; at Hündle, it’s puzzles and activity.

A seasonal look at Hündle

Crocuses bloom in spring in the mountain area at Hündle, but the timing varies. If you’re including this bloom in your trip plans, take the changing timing into account rather than assuming there is a fixed date. This lets you consider the seasonal natural spectacle as a distinct aspect alongside the hiking and mountain lift options.

The wider Oberallgäu region

The broader travel region of Oberallgäu opens up a wider range of regional attractions. Hiking trails in the Allgäu span more than 350 kilometres and cross three altitude zones. The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Centre is located in Immenstadt-Bühl, right by Lake Alpsee. It has a free-to-enter interactive exhibition about animals, plants, their habitats and the special features of the protected area; opening arrangements may vary. The Allgäu Mountain Farmers’ Museum in Immenstadt-Diepolz offers a different focus: this interactive open-air museum documents the lives of Allgäu mountain farmers in historic buildings. It is open seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Steibis, Immenstadt im Allgäu, Altusried, Balderschwang, Lauben, Wiggensbach, Buchenberg, Wertach

Back to the broader travel overview: Oberallgäu.