Allmannshofen combines a landscape shaped largely by agriculture with landmarks from its pilgrimage history and a 4.3-kilometre circular trail. The Zeit-auf-dem-HOLZenerWEG leads to the St. Moritz Hermitage and past other religious sites. There is also a Kneipp facility in the village centre and Holzen Monastery, set above the Schmutter. This makes it easy to plan your stay around specific themes: the circular trail, the monastery church or the history of this pilgrimage destination. Allmannshofen’s countryside is part of the Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park.
Holzen Monastery and the Pilgrimage History
Holzen Monastery stands with its two towers on the heights above the Schmutter, its silhouette visible far across the Lech plain. The monastery church is also a draw in its own right for travellers interested in culture: it features lavish Baroque decoration and elaborate stucco work. The setting and the church interior offer different reasons to explore the site—one focused on the outline of the complex, the other on its ornate interiors.
The St. Moritz Hermitage is located on the northern edge of Allmannshofen. For centuries, it was a pilgrimage destination associated with a wooden statue of Saint Moritz. The present-day Moritz Chapel replaced the old chapel in 1710. The Bavarian-Swabian Way of St. James also passes through Mertingen on its way to the former Benedictine convent of Holzen near Allmannshofen. Several religious connections thus come together in the region: the hermitage, the chapel and the former monastery.
The Zeit-auf-dem-HOLZenerWEG
This 4.3-kilometre circular route offers a practical way to connect several of these sites on one walk. The stations of the Way of the Cross lead to the St. Moritz Hermitage. The route then follows the hillside along a sunken lane back to the village. On the return leg, it passes the Lourdes Grotto, the monastery garden and the Loreto Chapel. The route’s length and course make it easy to plan as an activity in its own right, while its landmarks give it a clear religious focus.
When planning, it is worth thinking of the circular trail as one connected experience rather than listing its stops separately: the ascent via the steps, the hillside path and the sunken lane describe different sections, while the named sites link the route to the history of pilgrimage and the monastery. Those particularly interested in this history will find several related themes here. The Kneipp facility adds another kind of experience to your stay, although it is not part of the circular trail described here.
Kneipp Facility and Johannimarkt
The Kneipp facility is in the village centre, opposite the Kirchberghalle. It offers water treading and a classic arm bath for all age groups. There are two Kneipp treatments to choose from; if you would like to include one in your stay, the facility is easy to find by its named local landmark.
The Johannimarkt in Holzen offers another cultural highlight. It has a long tradition, and the Municipality of Allmannshofen has been responsible for organising it since 1856. This historical continuity sets the market apart from year-round attractions such as the landscape, churches and circular trail. If you would like to plan your trip around a visit to the market, check the event dates in advance.
More Nature and Culture in the Wider Augsburg Destination
The wider Augsburg destination also offers its own walking routes and excursions. The LandArt Bonstetten art trail is a 5.65-kilometre circular walking route. Along the trail, the artist Hama Lohrmann personally explains his sculptures. Another example is the three-kilometre meditation trail, which runs from the Oberschönenfeld Cistercian Abbey to Weiherhof along the edge of the forest in the Schwarzach Valley. In the wider Augsburg destination, the 5.65-kilometre LandArt Bonstetten art trail is longer than the three-kilometre meditation trail.
The district of Augsburg also has a well-developed cycling network. The regions of the Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park include Stauden, Holzwinkel and Reischenau. Westwood Alpacas offers regular alpaca walks and excursions through the nature park. The wider Augsburg destination also includes the well-developed cycling network in the district of Augsburg, the regions of Stauden, Holzwinkel and Reischenau in the Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park, and regular alpaca walks and excursions through the nature park offered by Westwood Alpacas.
Where to Stay in Allmannshofen
The Holzen Monastery complex includes, among other things, a restaurant and hotel. Business details may change, so check current availability before travelling. When choosing where to stay in Allmannshofen, you can also consider whether you would like to focus mainly on the monastery’s history, the circular trail, the Kneipp facility or the Johannimarkt.
Back to the wider travel overview: Nordendorf.
