Oberstdorf
The Allgäu's southernmost town, big hiking and ski-jump fame.
At the very bottom of Germany, Oberstdorf is the Allgäu's hub: a car-light resort town ringed by some of Bavaria's highest peaks, with the Nebelhorn and Fellhorn cable cars, the thundering Breitachklamm gorge, and a famous ski-jumping arena. It's the best base for serious hiking in the German Alps.
Car or train?
Skip the car. Oberstdorf is well served by trains and easy to get around on foot or by mountain lift. Parking is tight and a car is more hassle than help.
How it scores
Best for
- ✓Hikers
- ✓Families
- ✓Active travelers
- ✓Summer and winter
- ✓Cross-country skiers
Who should skip it
- ✕Travelers wanting a city
- ✕Luxury seekers
- ✕Travelers short on time
Signature experiences
- The Nebelhorn cable car and the Allgäu high trails
- The Breitachklamm, Germany's deepest gorge
- The ski-jump arena and the Heini-Klopfer hill
Biggest mistake
Underrating the hiking. Oberstdorf is one of the best trail bases in Germany; come with boots.
Worth the splurge
A wellness hotel and a guided Allgäu high-route day.
Oberstdorf questions, answered
The practical things travelers ask most before booking this base.
- How many days do you need in Oberstdorf?
- Two to three nights. Oberstdorf is the Allgäu's hiking hub, ringed by some of Bavaria's highest peaks: the Nebelhorn and Fellhorn cable cars, the Breitachklamm gorge, and hut-to-hut routes. It's a serious walking base, so come with boots.
- Do you need a car in Oberstdorf?
- Not needed. Oberstdorf is the southern end of a direct rail line and is a car-light resort town; the cable cars and good local transport cover the trailheads. A car helps only for ranging further afield.
- When is the best time to visit Oberstdorf?
- June to September for the high Allgäu trails and the gorge, with the lifts and huts open, plus December to February for skiing and Nordic trails. It sits in Germany's far southwest, far from the rest of Bavaria, so treat it as its own trip.
- Is Oberstdorf good for hiking?
- It's one of the best trail bases in Germany, the southernmost town in the country, ringed by high peaks with multiple lift systems, the deep Breitachklamm gorge, and genuine hut-to-hut routes. Dedicated walkers come here for days on the trails.
- How do you get to Oberstdorf?
- Memmingen (FMM) is the closest airport, with Munich (MUC) and Innsbruck (INN) wider options. A direct rail line ends right in Oberstdorf, so trains run straight in and it's a car-light resort town once you arrive, with cable cars and local transport covering the trailheads. Note it sits in Germany's far southwest, well apart from the rest of Bavaria.
- Is Oberstdorf good for families?
- Yes. It's an active, outdoorsy family base: easy gondola rides, gentle valley walks alongside the serious high routes, the dramatic Breitachklamm gorge, and the famous ski-jump arena to wander. In winter it adds family slopes and Nordic trails, so it works in both seasons for active kids.
Build a trip around Oberstdorf
Routes, itineraries, and guides that put this base to work.
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Other Bavarian Alps bases
More handpicked towns to pair with or weigh against Oberstdorf.
Füssen
$$$The gateway to Neuschwanstein and the storybook castles.
Lindau
$$$An island old town on Lake Constance, where three countries meet.
Werdenfelser Land, BavariaGarmisch-Partenkirchen
$$$Bavaria's premier alpine resort, under Germany's highest peak.
Oberammergau
$$$Painted houses, woodcarvers, and the famous Passion Play.
Werdenfelser Land, BavariaMittenwald
$$$A violin-making town under the Karwendel's sheer walls.
Tegernsee
$$$$Munich's elegant lake, spas, breweries, and mountain backdrops.
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