What is that? Summer in early April? Around 25 degrees are forecast for the Five Lakes Region this weekend. It will definitely be really crowded at the lakes. But be careful: the water is only around ten degrees. The water rescue service therefore even warns of a “life-threatening cold shock”. So keeping your feet clean is still okay, but nothing more. And if even the foot bath is too much for you, here are five tips on what early summer activities are possible in the region away from the water.
For a splash of “sea love”
The sun not only shines down on Herrsching, but is reflected directly in Levin Weigelt’s face. No wonder, shortly before his 30th birthday on April 9th, he fulfilled a heartfelt wish: Since Good Friday, he has been running a bar directly on the banks of Lake Ammersee, more precisely in an area separate from the “Seehof” hotel. And this bar is something of a new beginning, because Weigelt has not only entered the catering industry, but also creates drinks and cocktails made from his own spirits.
More precisely, it is the schnapps and liqueurs from the Schondorf store “The Moonshiner”, which has also been represented at the Herrschinger lakeside markets for years, for example. For years, because the “Schwarzbrenner” was founded by Roger Jürgens and Enrico Hünniger – after they had initially written a success story with a bar at the Munich Tollwood Festival. After Hünniger left, Weigelt joined the “moon distiller”, initially as an employee. On March 1, 2024, he took over the entire store: “It was always my dream to become self-employed,” says the young man, who worked as a trained banker for years in the field of construction financing. Now he not only owns the Schondorf liquor store, but he also stands behind the counter at the “Seeliebe-Bar bei Schwarzbrenner” in Herrsching.
In addition to the Hofbräu beers typical of the Seehof, various “Kurze”, Prosecco, wines – and very special Spritz variants are now served there: for example mixed with apricot limes, with limoncello, with rhubarb or vineyard peach liqueur (each for 7, 90 euros). Weather permitting, the bar currently opens at around 3 p.m. on Fridays and around midday on Saturdays and Sundays. During the season, says Weigelt, he wants to stay open all the time: “As long as the weather is right.”
Picnic on the “State Cultural Hiking Trail”
It’s always nice to hike at Andechs – even if the grain isn’t ready for harvest at the moment.
(Photo: Arlet Ulfers)
The Andechs Monastery and its beer have long been known far beyond the borders of the Five Lakes Region. However, less word has probably spread that the “Holy Mountain”, on which the monastery including the pilgrimage church, the Bräustüberl and the monastery inn are located, is in reality nothing more than a huge pile of rubble. What may sound disrespectful to some ears is actually scientific fact. These can be experienced on the 2.7 kilometer long “State Cultural Hiking Trail on Erlinger Flur”.
The path starts directly below the monastery, more precisely behind the parking lot there, and leads through a lovely landscape in which there is usually a pleasant breeze. There are a total of 15 stations on this path that provide fun knowledge about the formation of the landscape in this part of the Starnberg district. It’s about agriculture from the past and present, about plant growth, forests, types of grain, soil, relief and climate, but also about the history of the monastery and place.
You can also learn a lot on the 2.7 kilometer long circular route.
(Photo: Arlet Ulfers)
There are various places to sit and lie down along the way, which not only offer a wonderful view of the monastery and the Alps, but are also ideal for a picnic: So bring blankets and pillows, pack drinks and food according to your personal preferences. But be careful: Please take any rubbish home with you and dispose of it there.
Space for beer philosophers
In the afternoon, host Sabri Konxheli also offers fresh fish.
(Photo: Georgine Treybal)
The beer garden can be an oasis or an island. A refuge or – at the right moment, in the right light, in pleasant company, sometimes alone at a simple wooden table – a piece of paradise on earth. The beer philosopher, writer and director Herbert Achternbusch from Buchendorf captured this flickering and buzzing in his film “Andechser Feeling”, which he made 50 years ago.
The Kraillinger Brewery can be such a piece of earth. In the middle of town, actually located directly on the Würm, but separated from the water and partly surrounded by old bathing cabins that have not been used for a long time. Away from the hustle and bustle, there is plenty of space in the shade of large chestnut trees; around 1,500 guests can stay outdoors alone. For some people from Würmtal it is the local pub when the weather is good, and for those on bike tours the beer garden is strategically located on the route along the Würm.
The staff has already prepared for the first big rush this year. In the tavern there is beer on tap, chicken, pork sausages and spare ribs are on the grill, the snack stand is open and in the afternoon there will also be male fish. If you like, you can bring your own snack, as is traditional in a real beer garden. And for the children there is a large playground, which is a little out of the way.
Collecting wild garlic in Schacky Park
Always follow your nose: If you smell a garlic-like smell in Schacky Park, you might not be far from wild garlic.
(Photo: Nila Thiel)
The picturesque Schacky Park in Dießen am Ammersee, with its winding paths, old sculptures in the middle of green meadows, small forests and babbling fountains, invites you to visit at any time of the year. But in spring, when the first flower buds open, the grass sprouts fresh from the earth and the oak trees grow small, bright green shoots, a detour here is particularly worth it because of a small plant.
When the first bumblebees and butterflies fly over the meadows in April and the sky shines bright blue, an inconspicuous plant that smells suspiciously of garlic makes its way into the light: wild garlic. In Schacky Park it grows at the top of the tea house, on the tree-covered meadow below the Monopteros and on the oak avenue at the level of the duck house. His season is quite short. It begins in April – depending on the weather, the first flowers appear in March – and ends in May. When the white flowers appear in May, the leaves lose their aroma and are therefore no longer attractive for further processing into wild garlic pesto or butter.
Before you harvest the delicate plant, you should first make sure that it is actually wild garlic. Because wild garlic has a poisonous twin: lilies of the valley. To distinguish between them, it helps to rub the green leaf between your fingers. If it then smells like garlic, confusion is unlikely. The underside of the wild garlic leaf is also dull green, while the underside of the lily of the valley is shiny. In addition, if possible, only one or two leaves should be picked from each plant and the roots should remain in the ground. This will ensure its continued existence for the coming year. The so-called hand bouquet rule also applies. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, wild herbs may only be taken in small quantities and only for personal use.
Once picked, washed and processed, wild garlic is a unique spring plant with an unmistakable aroma. A visit to Schacky Park, which is open to visitors between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., is currently worthwhile, and not just because of the beautiful scenery.
Between squash and tennis
Padel has been played for some time at the former Lang tennis facility in Starnberg.
(Photo: Arlet Ulfers)
Admittedly, padel can also be played in winter. But it’s most fun on days like the ones the coming weekend promises: not too hot, not too cold, ideal padel weather. In addition, you hardly need any equipment for the mix of squash and tennis, which has been booming for a few years and was initially practiced primarily in Spain and South America. Rackets and balls can be rented at most facilities, and you can always find a pair of sports shoes somewhere. You don’t necessarily need a lot of previous knowledge, but an eye for the ball and a little experience with a racket won’t hurt.
The numerous facilities in the Fünfseenland are often open all year round; in Starnberg, for example, you can play all year round thanks to emergency lighting. Bookings have also already been activated for the Ammersee Tennis in Herrsching. However, those interested should be quick: many places are already taken, especially at popular times. But that’s no wonder when the first ideal padel days are just around the corner.