Hiking weekend in the mountains

On 18 May 2019 our group of 36 local and international students set off to a hiking weekend in the mountains. This time our destination was the Mountain Hostel in Spielmannsau close to Oberstdorf.

In the morning, we went altogether by bus to the parking Renksteg in Oberstdorf. From there, we started our hike through the pretty and quite flat Trettach Valley in order to reach the hut. Of course, there was enough time for a stop for a little picnic and some games at the borders of the picturesque lake Christlesee.

After moving into the rooms and leaving behind our backpacks we set off to discover the surroundings of Spielmannsau. One group reached the Alpine, historical village of Gerstruben while the other group did a more challenging hike through the Traufbach Valley. We did not miss the opportunities for relaxing breaks with food or drinks at one of the mountain huts enjoying the view of the surrounding mountains.

Back at our accommodation, we soon started to prepare our joint dinner. With the help of everyone we could enjoy pasta with three different and tasty sauces and some salad as a side. We concluded our beautiful day with a cozy campfire and stick bread at the borders of the river.

After an extensive breakfast the next morning we started off to our next hike. While a few students decided to stay back at the hut to play board games, the others took a pleasant path to reach the lake Freibergsee. There, the group split up again: some enjoyed the view of the lake, had lunch at the restaurant at the borders of the lake or just lay down in the grass to relax. The others prolonged the hike to a nearby hut.

In the late afternoon the bus picked us all up at our starting point. Everyone got back to Kempten tired but very happy after a fantastic weekend in the Alps.

Excursion to Bregenz

On a sunny but cold Friday about 50 German and international students set out to the beautiful city of Bregenz.

Once there, they drove with the cable car to the Pfänder mountain, the most beautiful vantage point of the Lake Constance at 1.064 m above sea level. From there, they had an incredible view over the entire Lake with a total of 240 Alpine peaks in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

 In the wildlife park, the students were able to gaze at a few native wild animals and then an opportunity to warm up in a cozy cottage with a hot drink.

In the late afternoon they went to the Bregenz Christmas market where they enjoyed the Christmas culinary and sweet delicacies of the region, beautiful pieces of handicraft and other attractions. The students could enjoy this beautiful day together and share their pre-Christmas feelings.

Photos: Christoph Saad

Traditional WEEKEND in the Alps

Incredibly varied trip to Tannheimer Tal valley.

At the beginning of May 42 German and international students packed their backpacks and got ready for an exciting weekend at the Bad Kissinger Cottage at 1,792 m a.s.l.

On a Saturday morning they went to Grän by shuttle bus and start their hike from there.

In good weather, the tour first went through the forest, which was soon replaced by rocky and steep trails. After approx. 2.5 hours of hiking the first students arrived at the cosy rustic Bad Kissinger cottage. However, the effort was worth it and they enjoyed an excellent view over the surrounding valleys and mountains and a break for beer and snacks.

After the rooms were distributed and backpacks deposited, the students went for further hikes through the mountains, which were then covered by fog. Later back at the cottage they enjoyed a traditional 3-course meal for dinner and great games.

The next day, some students got up very early to experience the sunrise in the Alps. Then they had a rich breakfast with plenty kind of cereals, sausage, cheese, jam, honey, coffee, tea and juice. It was awesome!!

Reinforced and full of energy, the students split into groups to hike to the surrounding peaks: the Aggenstein (1985 m) and Brentenjoch (2000 m).

Tired but happy they finally arrived at the parking lot in the late afternoon, where the shuttle bus had already been waiting for them to bring them back to Kempten University.

The great views, the beautiful paths, the rocks, the cottage and specially the fun they had together made this trip for the participants unforgettable. And of course also the wonderful weather!

Harbor Christmas in Lindau

On a sunny Friday, 15 December 2017, 45 German and international students started their excursion to Lindau at Lake Constance.   Once there, they first made a medieval city tour and learned about the historic island of Lindau with its unique charm. The rest of the afternoon and evening they explored Lindau by themselves and enjoyed some warm drinks at the Christmas market. At sunset, most of the students went to the famous Lindau harbor entrance, where they had a great panoramic view of the island city, the Lake Constance and the Alps.

Excursion to lake Gaisalpsee and Berggasthof Gaisalpe

38 German and foreign students met on 20 May 2017 for a joint hike from Reichenbach (near Obersdorf) to the lake Gaisalpsee. The trail led across rocky steps, narrow bridges and was partially secured with ropes – a real adventure!

At the beginning of the hike the path led through the Reichenbach canyon. Later the students had to pass several small creeks, which fell down the rocks and crossed the path. Finally, after 2.5 hours, they reached the romantic Gaisalpsee lake and enjoyed an extensive rest on the surrounding meadows. At an altitude of 1.508m, they could enjoy a magnificent view over the entire Illertal valley and many of the highest peaks of the Allgäu Alps. On the way back they stopped at the mountain restaurant Gaisalpe to enjoy a regional dinner and a cool drink before returning to the valley for the bus back home.

The students got impressions of the variety of the Allgäu landscape during this trip and had a lot of fun.

Excursion to Swabian Farm Museum

19 November 2016

The students visited first the farm museum in Illerbeuren, where they had a guided tour. There they saw original houses and courtyards from the 17th to the 20th century and learn a lot about the history and traditions from that time. Afterwards they went to the Renaissance castle Kronburg, where they have one of the most beautiful Christmas market in the Allgäu region. The marked is held inside the castle in a cosy, rustic atmosphere. The students joined mulled  wine and other specialties and enjoyed the medieval flair of the market.

Cheese seminar and hike tour

Bei unserem Ausflug in die Umgebung von Oberstaufen haben wir das Allgäu von seiner schönsten Seite kennengelernt.

Beim Käseseminar stellten wir mir Meister Ludwig unseren eigenen Käse her und rührten fleißig in den Kupferkesseln.

Nach der Wanderung zu den eindrucksvollen Buchenegger Wasserfällen ging es dann wieder bepackt mit einer Portion selbstgemachtem Käse zurück nach Kempten.