Not every sunny autumn weekend needs to turn into a proper hike. These are the three easy nature walks near Munich that we head to when we want forest air, a stream or a view, without a big mountain day to plan. None of them asks you to be a serious hiker, and all three are better with a picnic and a slow pace. If you want something bigger, our autumn hikes near Munich are the next step up.
🎥 Prefer to watch first? Our Instagram reel shows all three walks.
Maisinger Schlucht: a stream, shade and an easy path
This is the one that gets us into proper forest fastest. The gorge sits between Maising and Starnberg, and the path follows a little stream the whole way. It is shady, mostly flat and wide, which makes it a good first “walk in the woods” for small legs.
- 📍 Where: Maisinger Schlucht, between Maising and Starnberg
- 🚆 Getting there: Our route is the S-Bahn to Tutzing, a short bus to the gorge entrance, then the stream path down to Starnberg S-Bahn. Bus connections change, so check the MVV app for the stop and timetable before you leave. The simpler option is the S-Bahn straight to Starnberg, then walking up the gorge from the station and back.
- ⏱️ Time: about an hour, a little more with stops. The classic Starnberg to Maising route is listed at around 1¼ hours.
- 👶 Strollers: the path is wide with no steps, and is described as suitable for all-terrain strollers. We would take a sturdy one rather than a light travel stroller.
- 💶 Cost: no entry fee as far as we know.
- 🚻 Facilities: we couldn't confirm toilets or a café inside the gorge, so plan a loo stop and snacks around the station.
It is lovely in autumn colour, and the cool shade makes it a good one for summer too. Our shady water hikes are in the same spirit if you want more of this.
Ilkahöhe near Tutzing: a short climb with a view
The Ilkahöhe is more of a walk than a hike. It is a gentle climb through the meadows above Tutzing, and the reward at the top is a wide view over the Starnberger See and, on a clear day, the Alps. Bring snacks and a picnic mat, because this is a spot to sit and take your time.
- 📍 Where: Ilkahöhe, above Tutzing on the Starnberger See
- 🚆 Getting there: S-Bahn to Tutzing, then walk uphill from the station.
- ⏱️ Time and distance: about 2.5 km one way with roughly 120 m of climbing. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes up, and longer with little legs and snack stops.
- 👶 Strollers: a stroller works here, and you can avoid the stairs near the start by taking the residential road instead. The end of the climb is steep, so a baby carrier may be easier for the last stretch.
- 🧺 Facilities: there are plenty of benches at the top, which are good for a picnic. Bring food and drinks.
Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald: forest paths and wild boar
This one barely feels like leaving the city. There are forest paths, little wooden play spots along the way, and wild boar in their enclosure. The boar are fed every day at 4pm, which is a good moment to plan the walk around.
- 📍 Where: Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald, Sauschütt, Grünwald. For a satnav the centre suggests entering Tölzer Str. 45.
- 🚆 Getting there: S7 to Höllriegelskreuth, then bus 271 towards Dietramszell to “Grünwald Friedhof”, followed by a walk of about ten minutes. Tram 25 to Derbolfinger Platz also works, with a longer walk or the same bus.
- 🚗 Parking: from Grünwald head towards Straßlach and Bad Tölz. About 200 m after the town exit sign, turn left into the signposted forest road, where the car park is about five minutes from the centre.
- 💶 Cost: entry is free, and the forest, the wild boar enclosure, the toilets and the trails are open at all times.
- 👶 Strollers: the 2.8 km Walderlebnispfad is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs and can be shortened. The Sinnespfad near the centre is barrier-free and under 1 km.
- ☕ Café: the Wald-Café is usually open on weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 16:30, in good weather only. Bring a little cash just in case.
- 🚻 Toilets: public, wheelchair-accessible toilets are open at all times.
Which one should we pick?
For shade and a stream, the Maisinger Schlucht. For a view and a picnic with a bit of a climb, the Ilkahöhe. For little ones who like animals and a trail they can shorten, the Walderlebniszentrum in Grünwald, which is also the easiest if you are travelling with a stroller. If the weather is turning, our prettiest parks for fall are an easy fallback closer to home.
Before you go
- Check the MVV app for current train and bus times, especially for the bus to the Maisinger Schlucht.
- Late autumn days are short in the forest, so we aim to be out in the afternoon rather than start late.
- Bring snacks, water and a picnic mat.
- Opening times for the Wald-Café depend on the weather, so don't plan lunch around it.
Save this for your next chill Sunday 🌿
Quick answers
Which of these walks work with a stroller?
The Maisinger Schlucht has a wide path with no steps that suits all-terrain strollers. At the Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald the 2.8 km Walderlebnispfad is suitable for strollers and can be shortened. The Ilkahöhe works with a stroller too, but the end of the climb from Tutzing is steep, so a baby carrier may be easier for the last stretch.
How do we get to these walks without a car?
For the Maisinger Schlucht take the S-Bahn to Starnberg, or to Tutzing plus a short bus to the gorge entrance. For the Ilkahöhe take the S-Bahn to Tutzing and walk uphill. For the Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald take the S7 to Höllriegelskreuth, then bus 271 to Grünwald Friedhof and walk about ten minutes.
When are the wild boar fed at the Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald?
The wild boar are fed daily at 4pm. Entry to the centre is free, and the forest, the wild boar enclosure, the toilets and the trails are open at all times. The Wald-Café is usually open on weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 16:30, in good weather only.
How long does each walk take?
Allow about an hour for the Maisinger Schlucht, a little more with stops. The Ilkahöhe is about 2.5 km one way from Tutzing station, roughly 30 to 45 minutes uphill. The Walderlebnispfad at Grünwald is 2.8 km and can be shortened.
Is there a café on any of these walks?
The Walderlebniszentrum Grünwald has a Wald-Café, usually open on weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 16:30 in good weather only. Bring snacks and water for the other walks.
