Sulzberg: Castle Ruins, Heinrich Trail and Rottachsee

Sulzberg is located in the heart of the foothills of the Alps in the Oberallgäu, about 10 kilometers south of Kempten. On a clear day, you can see the Allgäu Alps to the south. The castle ruins, the two equally long routes of the Heinrich Trail and Rottachsee offer different points of interest: views and history, a route with information boards and play stations, or activities on the water. This makes it easy to choose what to explore in Sulzberg based on your interests.

Getting here and the landscape

By car, you can reach Sulzberg from the A7 via the Allgäu interchange and the A980 towards Lindau; there is a Sulzberg motorway exit there. The southern views of the Allgäu Alps add a distinctive landscape feature to its location in the Alpine foothills.

Castle ruins and the Heinrich Trail

Sulzberg Castle is one of the largest and best-preserved castle ruins in the Oberallgäu. A viewing terrace on the keep offers sweeping views. Visiting the historic structure therefore goes hand in hand with taking in the surrounding landscape.

The Heinrich Trail starts at Sulzberg Town Hall and passes Jodbad Sulzbrunn. It consists of two routes, each 10.5 kilometers long. Both pass historical highlights and feature information boards and play stations for children. The routes are the same length, so distance is not what sets them apart. The boards and play stations bring the route’s historical background and appeal for children to life.

Activities at Rottachsee

Rottachsee is located in the municipality of Sulzberg. There are opportunities for swimming, sailing, surfing, diving and fishing. The lake offers a different focus from the castle ruins and the Heinrich Trail, with options ranging from activities on the lake to things to do in the water. When planning your trip, you can consider these offerings separately from the town’s historical attractions.

In the wider Oberallgäu travel region

The wider Oberallgäu travel region also offers a variety of nature and culture experiences. In Oberstdorf, the region has 200 kilometers of hiking trails and nature trails. You can also visit the Heini Klopfer ski flying hill there; the tower elevator takes visitors to the viewing platform on top of the ski jump tower.

The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Center is in Immenstadt-Bühl, right by Alpsee. The free-admission interactive exhibition explores animals, plants, their habitats and the special features of the protected area. From Immenstadt train station, you can walk to the center in 30 minutes along the “Achis Wasserweg” themed trail. In bad weather, bus routes 39, 11 and 81 go there. Check bus connections and the stated walking time before your trip.

In Immenstadt-Diepolz, the Allgäu Mountain Farmers’ Museum focuses on the lives of Allgäu mountain farmers. It is an interactive open-air museum in historic buildings and is open seasonally. The Breitachklamm gorge is also part of the wider Oberallgäu travel region. Visitors can explore it on well-maintained, secure paths, although conditions may vary seasonally. There is an information exhibition at the entrance.

Sulzberg’s castle ruins, the Heinrich Trail and Rottachsee offer a different focus from the destinations in Oberstdorf and Immenstadt mentioned above. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on Sulzberg’s own attractions or on other experiences in the Oberallgäu.

Discover more destinations: Fischen Im Allgäu, Immenstadt Im Allgäu, Durach, Oberstdorf, Lauben, Balderschwang, Oy-Mittelberg, Burgberg Im Allgäu.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberallgäu.