Munich is a great city where there’s always something going on and something new to discover. But sometimes you long for the exact opposite: a tiny mountain village where there’s nothing but peace and nature. If you’re looking for a place like that, you should take a trip to Gerstruben near Oberstdorf in the Allgäu. This former settlement combines idyllic nature with fascinating history.
Back in Time
A settlement in the Gerstruben Valley has existed since at least the 14th century. Other historical accounts even date it back to 839. Initially, the area was likely inhabited by Walser farmers who cultivated the fields and raised livestock. They lived here year-round until plans were made to build a dam, the reservoir of which would have flooded the village. The residents left their village and found a new home. However, the reservoir was never built; instead, Baron Cornelius Wilhelm von Heyl zu Herrnsheim acquired Gerstruben in 1896, thereby saving the remaining houses. He established his summer residence here and used the area around the village as a hunting ground.
Later, the mountain farming settlement returned to Oberstdorf’s ownership, and the town undertook efforts to restore the buildings. The houses still standing here today date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Of the original nine farmsteads, four remain today, along with the small white Chapel of Our Lady. They stand as testaments to a bygone era and offer insights into the lives of the inhabitants. The entire village is now a designated historic site.
A Trip to Gerstruben
Gerstruben lies at an elevation of 1,155 meters, making it one of the highest villages in Germany. You can reach the village from Oberstdorf via various routes. In summer, we especially recommend the hike through the Hölltobel, a rocky gorge through which the Dietersbach stream rushes. Along the way, you’ll pass two impressive waterfalls, each of which you can view from a lookout platform. In winter, the Hölltobel is closed, so you’ll have to choose a different route, such as the Alpstraße coming from Dietersberg. You should also definitely make a detour to Christlessee, whose crystal-clear water never freezes over.
Once you’ve made it up the hike to Gerstruben, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent Alpine landscape. All around you, the meadows glow a lush green, and on the horizon, mountain peaks soar into the sky. The charming farmhouses blend perfectly into the rural idyll. If you’d like to learn more about the lives of the former villagers, stop by the Jakobehüs. Today, it’s a museum with period furnishings that has been meticulously restored. It’s open every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from May through October. If you’d like to grab a bite to eat afterward, stop by the Berggasthof. Here you’ll find regional cuisine that you can enjoy on the terrace when the weather is nice —along with the unique view.
