Lake Starnberg is known above all for one thing: opulent villas and impressive sailboats. But around the lake, you’ll also find completely unexpected landscapes that are perfect for a day trip. Leading the way is the Leutstetten Moor. It offers you pure nature, Roman history, and a touch of royal tradition—all without the tourist crowds that often come with such attractions.
A mystical moorland landscape
The Leutstetten Moor is a fascinating relic of the Ice Age and stands in striking contrast to the bustling activity on the lake shore. It is a vast lowland bog that formed when Lake Starnberg silted up after the last Ice Age.
In the moor, you’ll find a mystical landscape of reeds, wide meadows, and rare plants. The best way to experience all this is on the well-maintained hiking trails that lead from Starnberg-Nord toward Leutstetten in about two hours . Cross the reed belt on narrow paths, some of which run over boardwalks. Especially in the fall, when fog hangs over the water, or in the spring, when the birds mark their territories, the marsh unfolds a magic all its own.
Between castle ruins and royal residences
In the Leutstetten Moor, you’ll find not only nature but also a special “lost place.” On the edge of the moor, hidden in the forest, lie the ruins of a Villa Rustica, a Roman estate dating from the 2nd century. The Romans already appreciated the merits of this area nearly 2,000 years ago! However, the estate did not last long, as the remote location and the low-yield soil made life there not exactly advantageous.
In Leutstetten itself, history enthusiasts will find another historic site: the 16th-century Renaissance Leutstetten Castle. To this day, it remains in the possession of the Wittelsbach family. The marsh once served as a hunting ground for the kings of this castle. Today it is privately owned, but still beautiful to look at from the outside. For those interested in the interior, the documentary film “Dohlensommer auf Schloss Leutstetten” offers a few glimpses.
