If you’re drawn to the water, you’re never far from it in Bavaria: In Munich, you’re just a short walk from the Isar, and the surrounding area has more lakes than you can count. But if you’re ever in the mood for a slightly different destination by the water, you should stop by Eschenlohe. From here, you can hike to the Seven Springs, which offer a magnificent natural spectacle that you can hardly get enough of.
The sulfur springs in the Loisach Valley
The Seven Springs are karst springs where groundwater emerges underground and has a relatively high flow rate. In the case of the Seven Springs near Eschenlohe, the flow rate is 1,000 liters of drinking-quality water per second. This water collects in a clear spring pond that drains into the Mühlbach stream. Due to the sulfate content of the water, a sulfurous odor may be noticeable around the pond.
Don’t let that deter you, though, because the view is truly magnificent. Since the Seven Springs are a particularly valuable geotope, you can’t reach them directly. However, you can view some of the springs from a small observation platform. From here, you can watch as the water gushes forth and, through gas emissions, stirs up the sediment at the bottom. Sometimes rings form on the water’s surface that keep spreading out further and further. It’s like a little dance that the water performs tirelessly.
Hike to the Seven Springs
The easiest way to reach the Seven Springs is from Eschenlohe via the forest trail. If you’d prefer not to drive, you can reach the town by direct train service. From Eschenlohe, head toward the Loisach Bridge and then hike along the Loisach and the Mühlbach streams. The trail to the springs is signposted and takes you past meadows that are in full bloom, especially in the spring.
Once you’ve reached the Seven Springs, it’s best to take a break and spend some time thoroughly observing this little natural wonder. From here, you can continue on toward Farchant, where the train will take you back to Munich. If you’d rather hike a little further instead, the nearby Asamklamm Gorge or the Kuhflucht Waterfalls are good places to visit. Both destinations are still considered hidden gems and are therefore not very crowded.
