The source of the Iller is located in Oberstdorf, where it is formed through the confluence of the Trettach, Stillach and Breitach rivers. As it starts to head north, the Iller winds its way through the Allgäu past the towns of Sonthofen, Immenstadt and Kempten. On the second half of its journey, the Iller flows through Upper Swabia, roughly marking the state border between Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, before joining the Danube in Ulm and continuing to the Black Sea. The Breitach’s source is in the Kleinwalsertal valley, while the sources of the two other tributary rivers, the Trettach and Stillach, are located in Bavaria. The Iller’s source is within easy walking distance of Oberstdorf, just by the "in form park" fitness centre to the north of the village.
×
unique and magical Special places
Zämed duss: only the stars should light up the night sky
Tourismus Oberstdorf is once again calling people to dispense with fireworks at New Year
If you want things to improve, you need to make change. And there’s no doubt about it: if the natural world could speak, it would ask us to change the way we celebrate the turn of the year.
Preserving and upholding traditions has always been important in Oberstdorf and has shaped the town like little else. But Oberstdorf is as modern as it is traditional and a love of the mountains and nature is also extremely important here. Every year, many people spend New Year in the most southerly part of Germany and enjoy the very special atmosphere in the Alpine area. For several years now, there has been a growing desire to release the natural environment, animals and the Oberstdorf area, all of which need our protection, from the stress and pollution of New Year’s Eve firework displays and to instead provide clear views of the starry winter sky.
The Zämed duss ("Sharing the outdoors") initiative is gladly supporting this change and calling you to follow the lead of the Miksa family. This has the courage to instigate change and is committed to celebrating the New Year without fireworks. In the Zämed duss campaign, the family is a role model for all locals and visitors and clearly shows the major impact this small but significant change can have on our future. Do you agree with the Miksa family that change does not have to be a bad thing? For instance, think of gazing at the sparkling stars as they light up the night sky above the Nebelhorn instead of clouds of smoke, a glass of fizz on the balcony, a fun game, the lighting of a New Year candle, the well wishes for the year ahead and much more. Together, we can surely come up with plenty more wonderful customs, traditions and activities for making our New Year’s Eve special.
Tourismus Oberstdorf wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
More information about the appeal, the Zämed duss initiative, our Oberstdorf Zämed duss role models and other topics can be found at www.zämed-duss.de
Breathe in the fresh mountain air and discover the spectacular natural landscape of the Allgäu Alps.
Oberstdorf’s side valleys and districts promise nature at its best and wild village romanticism. The countryside and nature reserves make up 75% of Oberstdorf’s municipal area.
Source of the Iller
Christlessee lake
In the heart of the Trettachtal valley, by the hamlet of Gottenried, this beautiful, legend-shrouded mountain lake with its blueish green water sits at an altitude of 916 metres. Just to the south of the lake are powerful springs, which feed clear water into the lake, giving it good drinking water quality. This explains the lake’s unique character, which is also what makes it so mysterious: even in severe minus temperatures, the Christlessee lake does not ever freeze. The lake’s clear water can therefore be marvelled in liquid format at any time of the year.
Christlessee lake is within easy walking distance of Oberstdorf’s "Mühlenbrücke" bridge, from where a path leads past Gruben and Gottenried to the legend-steeped lake in the Trettachtal valley.
The Breitachklamm ravine
The water of the Breitach river "bubbles and burbles and roars and gurgles" through the narrow gorge with vertical, overhanging walls that tower to almost 100 metres in height, thundering over high shelves of rock, gushing through deep pools and spraying the finest droplets that dance in the light.
Judenkirche
This unique natural monument, a natural rock arch is located at 1060 m altitude on Ochensberg at the northwestern border of Oberstdorf on Fischinger corridor. The impressive rock arch has a width of about 15 meters, a height of about 5 meters and a thickness of 1 to 2 meters. The view through the gate today offers an excellent view of Oberstdorf and its mountains. In June 2007, the Environment Committee of the district reported the rock formation as a natural monument and 2008!
Einödsbach
One valley on, at the foot of a breathtaking mountain backdrop, the small village of Einödsbach marks the edge of the Stillachtal valley. The Einödsbach mountain inn is Germany’s southernmost permanently inhabited building. The former village was originally made up of three houses and a chapel, built in the tightest of spaces and surrounded by the impressive massif of the Allgäu’s main ridge. Today, only the inn is permanently inhabited. Records of there being a settlement here date back to 1613. It’s also worth taking a brief detour to the Chapel of Saint Catherine, which can be reached by following the road from Birgsau. To the east, a hiking trail runs through the Bacherloch Gorge up to the Waltenberger Haus. To the south, the route leads into the Rappenalptal valley.
Gerstruben
An unmistakeable fusion between tradition-steeped cultural heritage and tourist attraction in the Dietersbachtal valley. Gerstruben can be regarded as Oberstdorf’s history book of mountain farming. The former Alpine village and agricultural gem today has five houses of between 400 and 500 years old, a traditional "Sennküche" restaurant, the old saw mill and a chapel. Until the end of the 19th century, the historic mountain settlement was still home to several farming families. With its sun-browned timber buildings and surrounding mountain landscape, it today provides a truly unique setting. The buildings have been lovingly restored and preserved for posterity in an exemplary manner. The Jakobe-Haus, a farm house preserved almost completely in its original form, is open to visitors. The picturesque little rooms and chambers are truly enchanting.
Alpenrosen – Alpine roses
From the early summer, the flower mountain Fellhorn “flower mountain” is a blossom sea of blossoming red Alpines roses in Oberstdorf. The Alp roses These prefer love the boggy, chalk- poor grounds soil of the Alps. This is the area of the Fellhorn is particularly worth visitingwhich should be especially emphasized and t. The prime time to visit do so is from June to August. The Alpine roses are grow as an evergreen bush with evergreens, bare leaves and purplish-e red, bell-shaped blossoms. These plants and are known to grow reach up to 1 m high. On the flower mountain - Fellhorn “flower mountain”, numerous footpaths lead through the beautiful Alp rose fields of Alpine roses.
Freibergsee lake
Located 930 m above sea level, the Freibergsee lake has a water surface of around 18 ha, making it the Allgäu’s largest high mountain lake.
The lake has a maximum depth of about 25 m and no visible inflows and outflows. Instead, these are located underground and regulate the periodically fluctuating water level. Thanks to its stunning location and excellent water quality, the Freibergsee has long been a popular Oberstdorf bathing destination. People of all ages delight in the water temperatures of up to 25°C in Germany’s southernmost natural swimming pool. The large lakeside lawn and the wooden terrace by the Freibergsee natural swimming pool are the perfect spots for a little sun bathing, while children can enjoy the playground. Furthermore, rowing and paddle boats are both available for hire. A restaurant with a large terrace overlooking the lake and a wide selection of dishes and local specialities provides all the refreshments you could need.
