Wooden farmhouses with balconies overflowing with red geraniums line the streets of Oberstdorf, a Bavarian resort nestled in the Allgäu Alps. This southernmost town in Germany offers year-round mountain activities: skiing in winter on the Nebelhorn and Fellhorn, hiking in summer through valleys carpeted with alpine flowers. The Breitachklamm gorge, one of the most impressive in the Alps, cuts through the rock just outside town, its narrow walls rising sheer from the rushing water below. The Nebelhorn cable car carries visitors to 2,224 metres, where the view stretches across four countries on clear days.
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Oberstdorf is a hiking and skiing center located in the Bavarian Alps, in the south of Germany. It boasts an annual average of 2.5 million visitors, and is famous mainly because of its ski jumping hills at the foot of the Schattenberg mountain at 1,798 metres above sea level. It is the prestigious venue of the popular Four Hills Tournament in ski jumping, which takes place regularly every year and attracts thousands of spectators from across Europe. The town itself is charming, with traditional Bavarian architecture, cobblestone streets, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes visitors feel welcome from the moment they arrive.
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In This Article
The Five Distinct Ski Areas around Oberstdorf
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Oberstdorf serves as the gateway to five ski areas: Nebelhorn, Söllereck, Fellhorn and Kanzelwand, Ifen, and Walmendingerhorn. Together they offer about 50 kilometres of slopes, which is ideal for a long weekend of varied skiing. Right above the city rises the 2,224-metre-high Nebelhorn mountain, with the skiing season lasting until May on its upper slopes. It is an excellent place for snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts who appreciate well-maintained parks and challenging terrain. Six kilometres from the city you can access the largest ski area of Fellhorn and Kanzelwand, which extends into the Austrian valley of Kleinwalsertal. It offers a nice mix of shorter and longer rugged trails with modern comfortable lifts that minimise waiting times. Söllereck and Ifen offer rather easier descents and are suitable especially for families with children who are still building their confidence on skis. The smallest of the local centres is Walmendingerhorn, which primarily offers a unique experience of skiing in deep, untracked snow for those who enjoy a more adventurous style. Each area has its own pricing: a one-day ski pass to Nebelhorn costs €37.50 for adults and €14 for children, while in Ifen the prices are €32 for adults and €14 for children.
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\\nPhoto licensed under the Creative Commons, created by BildSpracheundCo.de
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Amenities, Après-Ski, and Summer Attractions
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Oberstdorf offers all kinds of services at the highest level, including spa and wellness facilities, a rich cultural programme, and excellent restaurants and bars serving both traditional Bavarian cuisine and international dishes. Right on the slopes you will find children areas, fun parks, several snowboard parks, and a range of extreme sports for adrenaline seekers. Practically under each lift you will find parking, and you can also travel by skibus for free, making it easy to explore multiple areas without a car. In addition, the resort boasts the longest downhill slope in Germany, a thrilling run that experienced skiers will not want to miss. Beyond skiing, the Breitachklamm gorge offers a spectacular winter walk through a narrow canyon where waterfalls freeze into giant icicles, and the surrounding alpine landscape is perfect for snowshoeing and winter hiking. In summer, the same slopes transform into a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, with hundreds of kilometres of marked trails through alpine pastures and past crystal-clear mountain lakes.
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Nebelhorn and the Panorama of the Allgäu Alps
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The Nebelhorn cable car rises from Oberstdorf to 2,224 metres in two sections, passing through alpine meadows in summer and snow-covered slopes in winter. The summit offers views across four countries on clear days: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. A hiking trail from the top station descends to the Seealpsee lake, a 45-minute walk through alpine terrain with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The Fellhorn, Oberstdorf second major mountain, offers a hiking centre with the German Alpine Road passing nearby. In winter, the Fellhorn and Nebelhorn ski areas together offer 45 kilometres of slopes, with the possibility of spring skiing on the Nebelhorn glacier until May. From the summit you can enjoy amazing views of over 400 Alpine peaks, making the cable car ride worthwhile even for non-skiers. Oberstdorf is a resort that truly offers something for everyone, regardless of the season.
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View Oberstdorf – south-Bavarian hiking and skiing resort in Germany in a larger map
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Would you choose Oberstdorf for summer hiking or winter skiing? 🥾
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