Oberstdorf – Venue of international sports competitions
Due to the international competitions in winter and the competing famous athletes, Oberstdorf has an outstanding position in winter tourism. The world of winter sports feels at home in Oberstdorf. Since the winter of 1952/53 the „Schattenbergschanze“ has been fascinating guests who come to Oberstdorf at the end of the year to watch the Four-Hills-Tournament, which traditionally begins here. This ski jumping hill has been rebuilt several times. Since 1973, top athletes from all over the world have met in Oberstdorf for the World Championships in ski flying to conquer the “agony of defeat”. The FIS Nordic World Championships in February 1987 and in February 2005 with more than 360.000 spectators each have been the highlights so far. The next FIS Nordic World Championships will now take place in 2021.
The highlights in Germany´s deep, deep south!
Germany’s southernmost village, themed “Oberstdorf – the hiking village. Mountain top in the south!”, shows its extraordinary position as hiking destination. Not only is Oberstdorf one of the largest and most attractive Bavarian communities but it also offers a great variety of touristic facilities and 230 square kilometres of mountains. Oberstdorf is situated within a valley, 815 m above sea level in the middle of the Alps in the Allgäu. It is surrounded by mountains which are up to 2,600 m high, and the three different altitudes make Oberstdorf specifically attractive. A total of 200 km hiking trails offer a diversified alpine landscape with routes and tours of every difficulty: Promenades, which lead for example to one of Oberstdorf’s seven valleys, offer an incomparable panoramic view over the mountains. Hikes on different altitudes are possible, where tourists are able to get closer to the 400 summits that surround Oberstdorf or even hike up to one. Alpine athletes will also find a particular challenge on a via ferrata. The hiking possibilities offer unique experiences, for example with its walks around the lake „Freibergsee“ and along the rivers “Trettach” and “Stillach” or with the walk through the “Breitachklamm”, the deepest canyon in Middle Europe. On one of the theme walks guests will learn about herbs, flowers or mountain cheese production. From the mountain "Nebelhorn" hikers will enjoy an incomparable panoramic view over 400 summits. The “Fellhorn” is Germany’s most beautiful mountain regarding flowers. In the beginning of July, when summer starts and alpine roses blossom, the whole mountain turns red.
Location for winter sports – alpine sports, nordic sports, hiking
Even in winter numerous guests come to Oberstdorf in order to go hiking. 140 kilometres of cleared trails and panoramic walks on the mountains „Nebelhorn“, „Fellhorn“ and „Söllereck“ await visitors. These walks offer nature impressions in the valley as well as on the tops of the mountains. 132 kilometres of slopes and more than 75 kilometres of cross-country ski-tracks won’t leave any wish unfulfilled. In addition to that, there is the two-country skiing region „Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal“ with modern cable cars and chair lifts as well as cross-country ski-tracks on which athletes of the FIS World Championships in 2005 glided along.
Cultural and sportive highlights
Numerous events, adjusted to the guests’ desires, are part of Oberstdorf’s cultural program. The “Oberstdorfer Musiksommer” is the biggest classic festival in the Allgäu. During July and August, it attracts guests with remarkable concerts in the valley and on the mountain. During the „Viehscheid“, tourists will experience a real tradition. The “Viehscheid” takes place on 12. and 13. September, when the cattle comes down from the mountains after the summer. Each year, it is celebrated with a great fair. Two of the sportive highlights are the traditional beginning of the Four-Hills-Tournament in Ski Jumping and the “Nebelhorn Trophy”, an international competition in figure skating.