In Germaringen, the annual Wendelinsfest, the churches in Obergermaringen, Untergermaringen and Ketterschwang, and a cycling tour with a named route offer different reasons to visit. The themes range from a festival date that depends on the calendar to a route that passes through several towns before continuing to Kaufbeuren and Neugablonz. The wider destination of Ostallgäu adds further regional cycling, hiking, lake and cultural themes to these local points of interest.
Festival date and building history
The Wendelinsfest in Germaringen is still celebrated every year on the Tuesday after Kirchweih, the third Sunday in October. The programme includes a church service and a devotional service. Because the Tuesday is determined by this movable date, the festival does not fall on the same calendar day every year. If you are planning to travel specifically for the event, check the exact date for the relevant year before booking your accommodation.
The pilgrimage church of St. Wendelin in Obergermaringen was built in 1697 to replace a chapel that had stood there since 1580. The two dates therefore mark successive structures at the same site: the chapel was followed by the church. On Georgiberg, the 718 m-high mountain overlooks Untergermaringen; the Church of St. George on Georgiberg stands 60 m above the village. The figures refer to different things: 718 m is the height of the mountain, while 60 m is how far the church stands above the village.
In Ketterschwang, the Catholic parish church of St. James the Elder is a new Rococo building with centrally arranged chapel extensions dating from 1757/58. Its tower dates from 1716, making it older than the new church. The three churches therefore offer different aspects of building history: an earlier chapel site, an elevated location and building phases from different periods.
Cycling route and a wider choice of trips
Before reaching Ketterschwang, the “Wertachebene north of Kaufbeuren” cycling tour passes through Dürrenwald to Untergermaringen, then continues via Obergermaringen and Mauerstetten to Kaufbeuren and Neugablonz. Its route can therefore be traced through specific place names. If you are planning to ride it, check the current route beforehand.
Ostallgäu as a regional setting
The wider destination of Ostallgäu includes the RadReiseRegion, a collection of themed regional routes that extend across the entire Ostallgäu. Each route is 25 to 76 kilometres long and consistently signposted. There are also 32 local hiking routes showcasing special natural and cultural treasures in the towns. This lets you choose between a specifically named cycling route and a broader regional selection of themed routes or hiking trails.
At Forggensee, a circular cycling route meets a seasonal boat service: the Forggensee cycling loop goes around the lake, and Forggensee boat trips run regularly during the summer season. The lake covers more than 15 km², making it Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir. If you are planning a boat trip, check the timetable for your visit.
Cultural destinations also complement Ostallgäu as a regional destination in its own right. Since 12 July 2025, Neuschwanstein Castle has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Linderhof Palace, the King’s House on Schachen and Herrenchiemsee Palace. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the two royal castles, can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Bear this requirement in mind if you are planning a visit. There is a clear difference in timing: the Wendelinsfest is scheduled in relation to the third Sunday in October, while Forggensee boat trips are tied to the summer season.
Discover more destinations: Seeg, Biessenhofen, Pfronten, Schwangau, Eggenthal, Lechbruck Am See, Mauerstetten, Kaufbeuren
To the wider travel overview: Ostallgäu.
