Sonthofen: Culture and Trails on Kalvarienberg

When looking for a hotel in Sonthofen, you can plan your trip around the things that interest you there: cultural attractions in historic buildings, trails on Kalvarienberg or activities around town. Sonthofen lies in the upper Iller Valley, where the Iller and Ostrach rivers meet, and on the edge of the Allgäu High Alps Nature Reserve. This gives you both cultural sites and nature and adventure activities within Sonthofen to consider as you plan.

Culture and local history

Sonthofen’s KulturViertel brings together the AlpenStadtMuseum, StadtHausGalerie and StadtBibliothek, offering a range of cultural attractions in historic buildings; the venues are within easy walking distance of one another. Their proximity makes the area a shared focal point if you want to include culture in your plans around town. The AlpenStadtMuseum has housed Sonthofen’s local history collection since 1930 in an old farmhouse dating from the 18th century. St. Michael’s Catholic parish church is another historic landmark: it stands in the oldest part of the town centre at the foot of Kalvarienberg.

Spa gardens and adventure trail

The ecological spa gardens extend around the summit of Kalvarienberg and at the foot of the hill by Götzfried's Pond. Features include ponds, wetland habitats, flower-rich extensively managed meadows, trees and woody vegetation, as well as walking paths and benches. The park can be considered a destination in its own right for a walk or a break.

Some of the Alpenstadt Adventure Trail’s stations are on Kalvarienberg. The trail connects the urban area with an alpine nature reserve and has three interconnected sections that can each be explored independently. It also includes play and adventure features, as well as a children’s corner on the information boards. This creates a distinction for your day’s plans: the spa gardens focus on natural areas and benches, while the adventure trail features its stations and themed elements.

Activities and practical planning

During the holiday adventure weeks at Biberhof, children aged 6 to 12 experience nature. Among other things, they can build bridges and shelters, whittle, cook over an open fire and make jewellery. Check that the activities are suitable for the ages of the children travelling with you, and confirm the current arrangements before your trip.

The Altstädten recreation complex is part of Sonthofen and covers 12,000 m². It includes a natural swimming area, sunbathing and open spaces, a multi-purpose sports pitch and a kiosk. Opening times may vary by season; check the dates for your travel period before visiting.

Free loan bicycles are another option for getting around town: at the Radl-Bahnhof right by the town hall, the town offers bicycles with shopping baskets for use around town. Sonthofen residents and holidaymakers with the Allgäu-Walser-Card for the Alpsee-Grünten holiday region can borrow them. As the service’s availability may change, confirm bicycle availability in person before making firm plans.

Sonthofen’s southernmost districts are starting points for hikes, including to the Hinang Waterfalls. This adds to the choice between destinations around town and hikes that begin in the southernmost districts.

Local traditions throughout the year

The Egga-Spiel is an old carnival custom with pre-Christian origins. Since being revived by the Sonthofen local heritage association in 1955, it has taken place in Sonthofen every three years on Carnival Sunday. If the custom is relevant to your trip, check the event date for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Sulzberg, Haldenwang, Dietmannsried, Altusried, Wertach, Bad Hindelang, Oy-Mittelberg, Blaichach

Go to the main travel overview: Oberallgäu.