When the residents of Munich make a pilgrimage to the “Heiliger Berg” (the “holy mountain”), they aren't talking about one of the many mountains in the Alpine foothills. They are in fact referring to Kloster Andechs, an abbey sitting high above the eastern banks of Ammersee (lake).
People travel to the Benedictine monastery for many reasons: Some are taking part in the 900+ year tradition of pilgrimage to Andechs, while others simply want to enjoy a “Mass” of the monastery's beer and a traditional Bavarian Brotzeit (a meal of cold meats, bread and cheese) while soaking up the magnificent views over the Alps and picturesque landscape in the Five Lakes Region.
The monastery's cultural programme also attracts a lot of fans: Its calendar of events includes the Andechser Orgelsommer (a summer organ festival), the Carl Orff Festival and a wide range of symposiums. Visitors can also combine their trip with a guided tour of the brewery or the historic Kloster Andechs.
Regardless of your motivation for visiting Kloster Andechs, you are sure to find everything you need to enjoy your trip: With its own brewery, restaurant, pub and butchers, the Abbey has become a popular place to visit for locals and tourists from all over the world.
The five-kilometre walk from the S-Bahn train station in Herrsching (at the end of the S8 line) to Andechs along the Kienbach stream is a lovely route that is also great for families with children. The trail is suitable for bikes and pushchairs and is well signposted.
S-Bahn (S8) from Munich to Herrsching: approx. 1 hour. Then bus or walk to Andechs Monastery. Information at bahn.de
Car: approx. 1 hour via the A95 or A96 motorways
Also interesting: Our author tested three relaxed hiking and cycling tours around Lake Starnberg and enjoyed them to the full. Highly recommended for imitation!
