Fancy a fall excursion? The most beautiful nature awaits you around Munich. You can reach picturesque villages by train and some of Germany’s most famous castles are just a day trip away! If you don’t want to go that far away, you can also stay in Munich itself and experience the fall. The Allacher Lohe in the north-west of our city is the perfect retreat for nature lovers that remains hidden from many tourists.
Especially now in fall, the Lohwald forest is one of the most beautiful things to do in Munich. Because at no other time of year will you find such a special play of colors here: the spectrum of leaves ranges from rich yellow to bright red. When the sun shines through the leaves, the Allacher Lohe with its oaks, maples and lime trees is transformed into a true fairytale forest.
Unique play of colors in the nature reserve
The Allacher Lohe is one of four nature reserves in the middle of Munich and, together with the adjacent Allacher Forst, covers around 150 hectares. It is an important remnant of the once characteristic Lohwald belt of the Munich gravel plain.
The term “Lohe” or “Lohwald” refers to a sparse type of forest, often with oaks and lime trees, which was created by historical forms of use (such as coppice or coppice forest management, which were often used for tanning). Because this mixed forest is so light, it provides the ideal conditions for bright autumn colors at this time of year.
Today, the Allacher Lohe area is almost completely separated from the surrounding countryside. For example, the Munich North marshalling yard and the B304 federal highway are right next to it, and the A99 even passes underneath it. An elevated path even leads along the noise protection walls of the marshalling yard. This offers a unique perspective: the nature reserve on one side and the industrial landscape on the other.
An ecological island in the city
These good conditions ensure impressive biodiversity: the forest is a protected ecological island in the middle of the city. In the Allacher Lohe you will find many rare animal species such as the black woodpecker, grey-headed and green woodpecker, swallowtail, stoat and sand lizard. In spring, lungwort, cowslips, wood anemones and rare species such as the Turk’s cap lily and fringed gentian bloom here.
And that’s not all nature! There is also a small, idyllic landscape lake in the nature reserve, which was created as a quarry pond during the construction of the marshalling yard. However, swimming is strictly prohibited for people and dogs in order to protect the water quality and the amphibian shore areas. Nevertheless, it is perfect for a short break on the hike.
As the Allacher Lohe is located between industrial areas, railroad lines and the highway, access is somewhat more hidden than in central parks. You can take public transport to Allach or Ludwigsfeld and walk a short distance along Dachauer Straße, from where the first paths lead into this special autumn forest.