Despite the many mountains in Bavaria, Munich itself is fairly flat. And the few hills that do exist here are usually not even natural, such as the Olympiaberg or the Fröttmaninger Berg, for example. The Perlacher Mugl is also one of Munich’s man-made hills. Hidden beneath it, however, is not just rubble, but an old bunker complex from World War II.
A natural idyll meets a dark history
The Perlacher Mugl is the only elevation in the Perlacher Forest and, as such, stands out strikingly among the treetops, even though it isn’t particularly high at 26 meters . Nevertheless, it rises above the surrounding trees and is a popular vantage point for looking out over the forest. The small hill hasn’t been around for very long; it was created in the 1970s. The history of the site where it stands today is all the richer for it. In the 18th century, this was a deer rutting ground, very close to the Wittelsbach hunting lodge known as the “Rotes Haus.” Later, the house of the royal gamekeeper stood on the site of the Mugl.
During World War II, a bunker with 25-meter-high walls was built there to serve as an anti-aircraft defense. Munich’s bunker enthusiasts even refer to it as a flak tower, though officially such structures existed only in Hamburg, Berlin, and Vienna. In the 1970s, the A995 highway was connected to the Mittlerer Ring, and the rubble from the construction work ended up in the Perlacher Forest near the bunker. This eventually became the Perlacher Mugl, which conceals a “lost place” beneath it that most walkers are unaware of.
Beautiful Views from the Perlacher Mugl
The Perlacher Forest is a popular spot for walks and ideal for taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. If you’re out and about here, you should definitely make a detour to the Mugl. Up there, you’ll find a pavilion that tells you more about the forest’s flora and fauna. In the past, the Perlacher Mugl was a popular sledding hill in the winter, but it’s now too overgrown for you to get through with a sled.
But the highlight, of course, is the view, which stretches all the way to the Alps on a clear day. You can even see the Zugspitze and the Wendelstein! The sunset is also a sight to behold from the Perlacher Mugl. And if an astronomical event like an eclipse or a meteor shower is on the horizon , this is also a great spot to be.
