Jakobsweg Stage 7 Immenstadt/Bühl - Oberstaufen/Zell

Description:

The Jakobsweg Tirol-Allgäu

This alpine Jakobsweg route, very attractive both scenically and culturally, leads off the main roads over three alpine passes, namely the Fernpass, the old Gaichtpass, and the Jochpass. It traverses some of the most attractive hiking and holiday regions of Tyrol and southern Oberallgäu on ancient Roman, trade, and pilgrimage routes.

Jakobs pilgrims can look forward to an especially impressive route here. Even more so because it mostly passes through rural, tranquil mountain regions, where people were deeply shaped for centuries by faith and the fear of natural forces. Therefore, these regions are particularly rich in churches and chapels with numerous art-historical treasures, often from very different epochs. Combined with the magnificent panoramic views, the constantly changing perspectives, and the meditative, sometimes demanding hiking in wind and weather through these alpine natural landscapes, this "camino" becomes a path engaging all the senses, unforgettable, rich in intense experiences, encounters, insights – and perhaps also new self-discoveries.

Integration into the Pilgrimage Network of Austria and Germany

The Jakobsweg Tirol-Allgäu connects in Stams to the German-Austrian Jakobsweg from Munich along the Isar, Loisach, Leutascher Ache, and Inn rivers, as well as to two Austrian Jakobswege, which unite in Innsbruck: the route from Lofer/Salzburg to Innsbruck and the route from Lienz to Innsbruck. From Innsbruck, this bundled Jakobsweg branch continues via Stams to the Arlberg or branches off at Stams onto the Tirol-Allgäu route.

Pilgrim Stamps and Pilgrim Passport

In the Jakobs chapels and churches mentioned in the text, there are stamp locations along the Jakobsweg. These pilgrim stamps are lovely memories in a pilgrim’s own diary. They serve as proof of the completed route in the internationally recognized pilgrim passport. The pilgrim passport also enables official overnight stays in special pilgrim accommodations, though there are still few of these on this route. It is available for a processing fee from the Jakobs pilgrim associations.

Directions:

From the AlpSeeHaus, you reach the lakeside promenade and the lake bath to access the lakeshore walking path, which is pleasant even when wet due to its wood chip surface. It leads along the shore below Trieblings to the end of the lake and to Moosweg. Shortly before Ratholz and Bleichgut, you cross the railway tracks and continue along the little road until shortly before Wiedemannsdorf, where you turn left from the quiet, beautiful Salzstraße with its splendid houses towards Konstanzer. There is a chapel there dedicated to St. James the Younger. Since 1755, relics of him and the apostle Philip are said to be here. Both apostles are depicted on the side walls. The parish church of St. John the Baptist in nearby Thalkirchdorf is also worth a visit due to its extraordinary art treasures, including a late Gothic sacrament niche (circa 1500), a life-size Madonna figure (circa 1440), and three bells from the 16th century. From Thalkirchdorf, you walk past the Schwandlift through the Konstanzer valley to the next junction, where you turn right towards Knechtenhofen and thus return between Salmas and Knechtenhofen to the Salzstraße and the Jakobsweg beyond the B308. Behind Knechtenhofen, you reach a fork in the forest. Down to the right, the Jakobs route leads through the premises of the Wengen industrial park with post office and railway mini world to the OA1, on whose footpath you turn right towards Buflings, passing a pottery, a cheese dairy, and the Wengen inn. There is a quieter, shaded alternative: at the fork before the industrial park, go straight over a narrow bridge (road tunnel) into the "Bärengrube" in the forest beyond the OA1. Halfway up, traverse along the slope to the right to the road to Oberstaufen, where, turning right, you reach the junction with the OA1 and thus the pilgrimage path. Well marked, it continues over Buflings to Zell, a hamlet with the Chapel of St. Bartholomew (stamp location), already documented in 817. The Gothic building (14th century) was restored in 2012. The medieval frescoes, like the main altar, presumably come from Hans (Johann) Strigel the Elder from Memmingen; some figures of the right side altar are from the workshop of Ivo Strigel. Behind the main altar is a confessional with the pilgrim stamp. The Jakobsweg Tirol-Allgäu merges here into the Jakobswege routes from Augsburg or Munich to Lindau. Usually faster than by bus from Buflings, you can reach Oberstaufen on foot.

Tip:
Wiedemannsdorf: Hand-woven shed. Thalkirchdorf: Restaurant and cheese dairy in the village house or historic Traube inn. Chapel Maria Immaculata in Kalzhofen. Knechtenhofen: Farmhouse museum. One place to stop in Kalzhofen, several in Buflings, none in Zell.Safety guidelines:
It should be noted that pilgrimage paths can involve an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Despite careful route planning, there is always a basic risk. Preparing through endurance sport, appropriate technical training, and mental preparation reduces the risk of accidents and hazards. But never forget that mountain weather can change very quickly.Equipment:
Personal pilgrim equipment must be safe and functional and meet the respective technical standards. The backpack should not exceed 15 kg in weight. Every pilgrim is advised to inform themselves thoroughly and prepare using specialist literature or the Internet.