Schlehdorf combines monastery history and church music with cycling tours through the moorland landscape. There are different ways to plan your trip: explore historic village scenes and seasonal cultural events, or take an easy circular tour and cycle along flat paths.
Monastery History in the Village Centre
Schlehdorf has a history stretching back more than 1,250 years. The village was first mentioned in a document as “villa slehdorf” in the founding charter of Schlehdorf-Scharnitz Monastery, dated 29 June 763. The written record of the village therefore goes back to the 8th century.
The architecture of the village centre also tells its story: it resembles a Roman fort. This layout was prompted by the almost complete destruction of the village in a devastating fire in 1846. Since summer 2025, there has also been a digital audio walk, “763 – A Monastery Village Through the Ages.” It covers the original monastery, the monastery church and the history of the monastery.
Churches and Organ Music
Guided tours of St. Tertulin Parish Church take place monthly. From July to October, monthly tours on the history of the monastery are also offered there. Check the dates for the seasonal programme before your trip.
The Baroque organ in St. Tertulin was completed in 1783. It is considered the only surviving sonic monument by the Allgäu organ builder Franz Thoma of Aitrang. Schlehdorf’s Autumn Organ Festival is also a regular fixture in the annual calendar: since its revival in autumn 2022, it has been held every September. Check the specific event dates before your trip.
The cemetery is home to the Church of the Cross, built in the 17th century. It houses a Romanesque wooden crucifix dating from around 1200. The Church of the Cross is open seasonally, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.
Cycling Tours Through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moorland
The easy Monastery Loop is 23.54 kilometres long and starts and ends at the Klosterbräu Inn in Schlehdorf. The route passes through the Loisach-Kochelsee Moorland, a protected landscape whose rare flora and fauna define this natural area. Its distance and start and end points provide a clear framework for planning your day’s ride.
Families can take cycling tours from Schlehdorf along flat paths through the Loisach-Kochelsee moors. The moors encompass extensive habitats for rare animal and plant species. The Monastery Loop is precisely measured at 23.54 kilometres; there are also cycling tours along flat paths.
KlosterGut Between the Lake, Mountains and Moorland
KlosterGut Schlehdorf is a few minutes’ walk from Lake Kochel, between the mountains and the moorland. It offers a farm shop and a café with outdoor seating. The farm café is seasonal: outside the season, a limited selection of coffee and cake is available in the farm shop, also with outdoor seating. Before your visit, check which seasonal offering is available for your travel dates.
On the farm grounds below the historic monastery complex, KlosterGut operates an organic vegetable garden. KlosterGut manages a total area of 65 hectares, which also includes biotopes and a lake.
Plan Your Stay Around the Reason for Your Trip
When choosing accommodation in Schlehdorf, it helps to decide early what you want to focus on. For church tours and the Autumn Organ Festival, the dates are key; for a cycling break, the 23.54-kilometre Monastery Loop provides a concrete basis for planning. Check travel dates and seasonal offerings in advance before choosing accommodation for specific dates.
Discover more destinations: Reichersbeuern, Münsing, Wackersberg, Icking, Bad Tölz, Bichl, Dietramszell, Jachenau
See the overview of the wider region: Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.
