Next door, the turtle sunbathes
If you sit at the Mollsee in the Westpark when the weather is nice, the sun on your neck, the autumnally colored deciduous trees are reflected in the lake and a turtle sunbathes on a stone in front of you, then you can hardly imagine that this beautiful place is actually beautiful would no longer exist if everything had once taken its planned course. Because the West Park was created specifically and originally exclusively for the International Horticultural Exhibition in 1983; it was not foreseen that he would permanently enrich Munich.
But the people of Munich liked the park, and the rest is – no, not history, but on the contrary: the present. A walk starting in the western part with the rose garden, the Thai sala in the lake, the Japanese garden, the Nepalese pagoda and the old Bavarian forest house leads up to vantage points and past lakes and streams to a place that is now very popular in summer and winter: the café “Gans am Wasser”. With seating pallets, beer benches and deckchairs, it attracts sun worshipers among autumn walkers and offers a yurt to those who are cold and a warm place. A wonderful place to enjoy a sunny autumn day in Munich.
Isabel Bernstein
How not at all in Munich
Anyone who has made it to the Großhesseloher Bridge will be rewarded with this view on the way back along the Isar Canal.
(Photo: Barbara Galaktionow)
If you want to get away from the main stream of people willing to go for a walk, start the Isar walk at the Tierparkbrücke. From the bridge, it goes sideways down south onto the very long island between the Isar and the canal, where you immediately get the feeling that you are actually not in the city at all. If you like it extended, walk to the Großhesseloher bridge, turn right over the small canal bridge and take a few more steps to the left. Where the flags are flying, you will find the Konsum Kiosk – in addition to sheet cakes and Viennese, there are also unusual things such as halloumi from the grill.
If you prefer to do a smaller lap, turn off one bridge before in the direction of Hinterbrühl and turn around. After a few meters on the road, turn right again over a small bridge. Now you can fall straight into the small beer garden at the Seehaus Hinterbrühl or meander along the lake to the raft landing. Well supplied at the Flaucherstandl kiosk, it is best to sit on a bench on the promenade and watch the other people walking. In autumn, however, the kiosks are not open all week, but usually only Friday to Sunday or only at the weekend – if the weather is bad, maybe not at all. But even then you can reward yourself: At the very end of the round you will find the Kiosk 1917 next to the entrance to the Thalkirchen subway, where you can get drinks, homemade lemonade and grilled focace. And that almost every day – unless the weather is completely underground.
Barbara Galaktionov
Leaves drifting like little boats
Beautifully colourful: autumn leaves in the English Garden.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
Anyone who lets an autumn in Munich pass without having taken a walk in the southern part of the English Garden has definitely missed something. When colorful leaves float like little boats in the Eisbach and the autumn sun flashes out behind the Monopteros with its last strength, it warms your heart even on cool days. The “Bridge over the Schwabinger Bach” is also not far from the Haus der Kunst. Densely grown trees and rocky stones, between which a small waterfall gushes out, probably offer one of the most beautiful photo motifs in the park.
Then it’s worth making a detour to the Milchhäusl, right at the entrance on Veterinärstraße. There are all kinds of cool and warm drinks as well as small snacks and cakes. When it gets really cold, beer benches are replaced by old ski gondolas, where you can make yourself comfortable with cozy blankets. Then the homemade mulled wine is also recommended. It is wonderfully warming and extremely tasty, especially in the white version.
Catherine Hase
cakes and games
Imposing buildings and views: the Olympic Park.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
If you do a lap in the Olympic Park, you should not only look at the sensational sports facilities that were built for the Olympic Games 50 years ago, but also make a detour to the Olympic Hill. From up here, when the weather is clear, the view extends over the roofs of the city center to the Alps – one of the most beautiful vantage points in Munich. And up here is the Olympiaalm, a rather hidden beer garden that is open all year round and attracts many regular guests.
If you want, you can get a coffee, a beer or a piece of cake and sit in the highest beer garden in the city or on the sunny meadow next door, before heading back down one of the narrow paths to the buildings in the park.
Lisa Sunday
Off to the Mini Hofbräuhaus
Easy to find thanks to a sign along the way: the Mini-Hofbräuhaus.
(Photo: Alessandra Schellnegger)
There are two Hofbräuhauses in Munich, one on the Platzl and one in the northern part of the English Garden. One is world famous, the other not even many Munich residents know. Called the Mini-Hofbräuhaus, it’s a lovely beer garden that’s open all year round and sells coffee, cake, beer and hot dishes.
This is where walkers meet who have taken a stroll through the wild and most beautiful part of the city’s most famous park. Coming from Hirschau, we recommend walking along the Oberjägermeisterbach, over small bridges, past sunny meadows and old trees. If you want, you can make a detour to the Oberföhringer weir. And then off to the Mini-Hofbräuhaus. The guests shouldn’t be afraid of dogs, because there are usually just as many of them as people.
Lisa Sunday
City silhouette and Alps panorama
The Bamberger Haus has a large outdoor terrace.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
A walk with a view over Munich: This is what the Luitpoldpark in Schwabing offers with its 37 meter high Luitpold hill. In just a few minutes you are at the top and have the silhouette of the city in front of you: Frauenkirche, town hall, the towers of the Theatinerkirche. But you can also see the Alps from here, at least when there is a foehn wind.
A sight that can trigger hiking feelings. So it’s best to set your next destination as soon as you start the descent: The beer garden of the Bamberger Haus is right next to the park, where you can not only strengthen yourself with beer and Obazda, but also with a cappuccino and a piece of cake – and watching the squirrels scampering around in the trees. A visit to the hedge maze is worthwhile with children, or you can go to one of the three playgrounds.
Ana Maria Michel
Just go for a walk
Isarwahn, one of the two kiosks at the Wittelsbacher Bridge.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
In many places in Munich you can just start walking and you are right in the countryside, even in the city center. One of the most beautiful routes leads from the Reichenbach bridge along the Isar southwards – ideally towards the sun. Right at the next bridge, the Wittelsbacher, you can have your first coffee break on the left or get a beer, either at the kiosk Isarwahn or at the oldest Munich stand opposite. Both kiosks have saved so many people who want to go out through the hard Corona times and each have their own unique charm. At the Standl, which has existed since 1847, and where Elvis can sometimes be heard on a Sunday afternoon, long-established Giesingers tend to meet. At the Isarwahn, which offers Sprizz and Tilmans and various hot drinks during the cold season, hip people tend to cavort.
It continues along the Isar to the Flaucher, not over the Flaucher Bridge, but to the left into the Isar forest and over the Aubach Bridge. There, on the edge of the allotment garden, you will find the Isar Alm, which with the wooden hut and tables in the small garden is just as pretty as the name suggests. A lot is organic and freshly made here – exactly the right place to not only eat liquids. But be careful: In autumn and winter, the Isar Alm is only open from Friday to Sunday.
Barbara Galaktionov