Marquartstein lies along the gravel banks of the Tiroler Ache and is surrounded by the peaks of the Chiemgau Alps. Hochplatte is the local mountain and a starting point for hikes to mountain pastures. The landscape and outdoor activities are therefore just as much part of the town’s character as its churches and local history. The Märchen-Erlebnispark adds more activities to the mix. Which options are most important to you also depends on the season: summer hikes and winter tobogganing have different conditions.
Explore the mountains from Hochplatte
The family-friendly Hochplattenbahn double chairlift takes visitors from Marquartstein up to an altitude of 1,040 metres. Its operating hours may vary by season; check current operations if the lift is important to your plans. Marquartstein also has a network of cycling and hiking trails. From the Hochplattenbahn mountain station, you can set off on the Staffen forest adventure trail and, in summer, hike to the Piesenhauser Hochalm.
The Staffenweg is an easy, four-kilometre circular trail. The hikes to the Piesenhauser Hochalm follow varied, well-marked routes from the mountain station. The options therefore differ in character: the Staffenweg is a named circular route, while the summer hikes have a specific mountain pasture as their destination. Trail conditions may vary; check conditions before setting out.
Winter tobogganing and other activities
In winter, the approximately 3.5-kilometre natural toboggan run starts at the Hochplattenbahn mountain station at an altitude of 1,040 metres. It winds through the snow-covered mountain forest down to the valley station. Unlike the Staffen circular trail, the focus here is on a downhill run with a start and finish. The length is approximate; snow and operating conditions may vary. If tobogganing is important to your travel plans, check conditions in advance.
The Märchen-Erlebnispark Marquartstein has a summer toboggan run. It also features a petting zoo with goats and a wildlife enclosure with red and fallow deer. This means you can enjoy both a tobogganing attraction and animal enclosures in the same park. Opening periods may vary. The park offers a different focus from mountain trails and local history if you would like to include a range of leisure activities in your travel plans.
Churches and local history
The Catholic parish church “Zum kostbaren Blut” was built in 1936 in the centre of Marquartstein. Its interior features paintings by artist Werner Schön, who came from the district of Piesenhausen. The church’s history and the artist’s local roots offer different points of interest in the same building.
The Schnappenkirche is located within the municipality of Marquartstein. It was built between 1637 and 1640 on the orders of the provosts of Herrenchiemsee Abbey, based on plans by Traunstein city architect Wolfgang König. From the church, views extend across the Chiemgau mountains to Lake Chiemsee. Here, architectural history meets sweeping views of the landscape; the parish church in the town centre, built in 1936, marks a different period.
Another connection to the area’s cultural history is the marriage of Richard Strauss and singer Pauline de Ahna, which took place on 10 September 1894 in the Burgkirche St. Veit. The churches and this biographical event offer different ways to explore local history—from sacred architecture and painting to a specific date.
The wider region: Traunstein
The wider destination of Traunstein offers a broader landscape on a regional scale. The district is home to Lake Chiemsee and Lake Waginger See; the Chiemgau Alps have more than 170 mountain pastures and peaks reaching up to 2,000 metres. These details provide the regional context, while the trails, churches and attractions above are specific to Marquartstein.
Let the season guide you
If you’re looking for a hotel in Marquartstein, the season can be a useful starting point: summer hikes to the Piesenhauser Hochalm contrast with tobogganing opportunities that depend on snow conditions. Church art and local history add a cultural focus to these activities. This makes it possible to choose a destination based on your interests while keeping in mind the different conditions for seasonal activities.
Discover more destinations: Staudach-Egerndach, Seeon-Seebruck, Surberg, Staudach-Egerndach, Siegsdorf, Palling, Petting, Bergen.
For the wider travel overview: Traunstein.
