Pöcking: Museum, Villa Trail and Maisinger See

If you are looking for a hotel in Pöcking, you can plan your trip around local themes: Empress Elisabeth, villa architecture, trails and nature. Attractions range from the Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum in Possenhofen station to walking trails and protected landscapes. This makes it easy to decide in advance whether you are primarily interested in exhibitions, architecture or a route through the surrounding area.

Empress Elisabeth and the Museum in Possenhofen

The Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum is located in the former royal Possenhofen station, now Possenhofen S-Bahn station on the S6 line, east exit. It displays pictures, printed materials, memorabilia, literature and historical documents about Empress Elisabeth and her family from various stages of their lives. Other exhibition topics include King Ludwig II, Lake Starnberg and the history of the station. The permanent exhibition is complemented by themed special exhibitions.

The guided tour option is also relevant when planning a museum visit: visitors can use it in six languages with their own smartphone and headphones. Possenhofen Castle is another historical point of interest. Empress Elisabeth spent her childhood and youth there. The Elisabeth Trail leads from the museum to the castle and continues to the crossing to Rose Island; this does not imply access to the castle.

Trails with different focuses

The Elisabeth Trail is a cultural and historical circular hiking trail following in the footsteps of Empress Elisabeth. Walking times are approximately 10 or 30 minutes. For a different perspective on Pöcking, the Villa Trail starts at the municipal library. It passes interesting villas and country houses. Some of these old buildings have been preserved almost in their original condition and illustrate 19th-century architecture.

The Maisinger Circular Trail has a different focus. It runs between Pöcking and Maising, along the Pöckinger Alm and the Maisinger Bach, to the center of Maising. A footpath along the edge of the forest leads back to Pöcking. The trails described therefore differ mainly in their themes and destinations: the Elisabeth Trail focuses on the museum, castle and crossing to Rose Island, the Villa Trail on architectural history, and the Maisinger Circular Trail on the route between the two villages.

Maisinger See, Moorland and Swimming Spots

Maisinger See is Bavaria’s oldest nature reserve and has been protected since 1941. It provides a habitat for rare bird and plant species. Reed beds and extensive moorland characterize this bird sanctuary; the Maisinger Moor is also a protected breeding area for rare bird species. Nature is therefore more than just a backdrop for the trails: it also includes designated protected areas and habitats.

If swimming is part of your plans, the location is clearly specified: swimming is permitted at the dam near Seehof on Maisinger See. This is distinct from Das Paradies, a large recreational area directly on Lake Starnberg with a bathing area. Possenhofen and Niederpöcking border Lake Starnberg and thus offer access to the lake’s predominantly tourist-oriented boat services.

Getting here and finding your way during your stay

Pöcking is accessible by bus and train via Possenhofen S-Bahn station. The station is also home to the Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum: the museum is located in the former royal station, now Possenhofen S-Bahn station on the S6 line, east exit. When choosing a hotel in Pöcking, you can first consider which of the town’s features described here you want to shape your stay: the exhibition about Empress Elisabeth and her family, villa architecture, a cultural and historical circular trail, or the landscape around Maisinger See.

Discover more destinations: Possenhofen, Berg, Gauting, Herrsching on Lake Ammersee, Weßling, Krailling, Bernried on Lake Starnberg, Andechs.

Go to the main travel overview: Starnberg.