There are several stargazing spots near Munich where you can enjoy the night sky. Here are a few options:
1. Winklmoos-Alm
Located in the Chiemgau Alps, Winklmoos-Alm is a certified International Dark Sky Park. It offers excellent conditions for stargazing due to its remote location and minimal light pollution. This is one of the best stargazing spots near Munich.
Driving:
It is 115 km from Munich to Winklmoos-Alm and takes about 1 hour 46 minutes to drive. You can take the A8 motorway to reach Winklmoos-Alm. directions
Hiking:
Yes, hiking is required to reach Winklmoos-Alm for stargazing. The hike is about 3.5 km long and takes about 1 hour to complete. There are several different trails that you can take, but the most popular one is the Winklmoosbahn trail.
The Winklmoosbahn trail starts at the Winklmoosbahn cable car station and ascends to the Winklmoos-Alm mountain station. From the mountain station, you can continue hiking to the Winklmoos-Alm Almhütte, which is a great place to enjoy a meal and drinks with a view of the stars.
Public transport:
There is no public transport that goes directly to Winklmoos-Alm. However, you can take a train to Reit im Winkl and then take a taxi or bus to Winklmoos-Alm. The total journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
2. Kochelsee
Kochelsee is a lake located about 60 kilometers south of Munich. It provides a tranquil setting for stargazing, away from the city lights.
The drive from Munich to Kochelsee is 74 km and takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes. You can take the A95 motorway to reach Kochelsee.Here are the directions: directions. Once you arrive at Kochelsee, there are several places where you can go stargazing. The Kochelsee Observatory is a great place to see the stars, and several hiking trails lead to scenic viewpoints.
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3. Ammersee
Ammersee is another lake located west of Munich. It offers beautiful views of the night sky and is a popular spot for stargazing reachable by public transport.
Here are the directions to Ammersee from Munich using public transport: directions. The total distance is 66.6 km and the journey takes about 55 minutes.
Read Here: How to plan a stargazing trip?
4. Wallberg
Wallberg is a mountain located near Tegernsee, about 50 kilometers south of Munich. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and is a great spot for stargazing.
Here are the driving and public transport directions to Wallberg from Munich:
Driving:
The drive from Munich to Wallberg is about 1 hour and 17 minutes. You can take the A8 motorway to reach Wallberg. Directions
Public transport:
The journey from Munich to Wallberg by public transport takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes. You can take the S6 suburban train to Tegernsee station, then take the Wallbergbahn cable car to the top of the mountain. Directions
5. Hohenpeißenberg
Hohenpeißenberg is a mountain located in Upper Bavaria, about 70 kilometers southwest of Munich. It is home to an observatory and offers a clear view of the night sky.
To get to Hohenpeißenberg for stargazing, there are two options: Hiking: The König-Ludwig-Weg Stage 4: Hohenpeißenberg – Rottenbuch trail is an 8.1-mile trail with an elevation gain of 1,003 ft. It is rated as moderate. Public transport: The journey takes 2 hours and 8 minutes and covers 74.6 km. You can take the S-Bahn S6 from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Hohenpeißenberg Bahnhof. From there, you can walk to the top of the mountain.
Here are the directions for each option:Hiking:6. Sylventseinsee
The Sylvenstein reservoir, also called Sylvensteinstausee or simply Sylvensteinsee, is a reservoir in the Isarwinkel in the municipality of Lenggries, on the road from Bad Tölz to Achensee (federal road 307), about 12 km south of the town center of Lenggries. Here are the directions to Sylvensteinsee from Munich:
By car: It is 82.9 km and takes about 1 hour 23 minutes to drive from Munich to Sylvensteinsee via A8 and B13. See the directions here.
By public transport: There is no direct public transport to Sylvensteinsee from Munich. The closest train station is Lenggries, which is about 10 km away. From Lenggries, you can take a taxi or bus to Sylvensteinsee.
Here are some tips for stargazing:
– Choose a clear night with no moon. The best time to stargaze is when the sky is clear and there is no moon. The moon can wash out the fainter stars, so it’s best to avoid nights when the moon is full or nearly full.
– Get away from city lights. Light pollution from cities can make it difficult to see stars. The further you are away from city lights, the better your view of the stars will be.
– Bring a blanket or sleeping bag. It can get cold at night in the mountains, so it’s a good idea to bring a blanket or sleeping bag to stay warm.
– Be patient. It takes a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to darkness, so be patient and don’t give up if you don’t see anything at first.
With a little planning, you can enjoy some incredible stargazing!
Remember to check the weather conditions and moon phases before heading out for stargazing. It’s also a good idea to bring warm clothing, a blanket or chair to sit on, and a star map or smartphone app to help identify constellations.