Garching Heath
One of the last areas of heath on the Munich gravel plain lies north of us.
Book a roomHeath in the middle of north Munich
Heathland once covered the whole north of the Munich gravel plain. The Garching Heath is a remnant of this landscape. The soil consists of gravel deposited here by the melting glaciers of the Ice Age. Water drains away quickly and nutrients are scarce: on this poor ground plants survive that have been displaced elsewhere.
Today more than 200 plant species have been recorded, along with lichens, mosses and many animals. The Finger-Kuhschelle, a pasqueflower species, now occurs in Germany only here.
How to get there from us
All routes begin at our hotel in Oberschleißheim.
By bicycle
The heath is about 8 km north-east of us as the crow flies and easy to reach by bike. We hire out bicycles, including e-bikes.
Cycle routes around our hotelBy bus and train
The ExpressBus X201 connects Oberschleißheim with Garching Hochbrück, and buses 292 and 295 with Garching-Forschungszentrum. The MVV map shows how far it is on foot from there.
By car
Park with us for free and do the last stretch by bike.
A touch of history
The area contains burial mounds from the Bronze Age. In the early Middle Ages the Bavarians laid out raised fields here, whose remains can still be seen in the east. Until the end of the 19th century the land served as pasture, for sheep and cattle among other animals. Since 1908 the Bavarian Botanical Society has been buying up land in order to preserve it.
More destinations
These destinations are nearby or easy to combine.
Isar Cycle Path
7 km away. The cycle path follows the Isar from the Alps to the Danube, about 7 km from Oberschleißheim.
Freising Cathedral Hill
approx. 21 km as the crow flies. Cathedral on the Domberg above the Isar, reachable from Oberschleißheim by S1.
Allianz Arena
7 min. The home of FC Bayern Munich, lit red, white or blue at night.
Cycle routes from our door
We are a certified Bett+Bike hotel and have put together day cycle tours for you.
You can hire e-bikes and standard bicycles from us: mention it when you book or ask at reception.
See all cycle tours
1Palaces and Olympic sites
40.1 km · 3:15 hrs
3Munich Lifestyle
21.7 km · 1:30 hrs
- 5
Allianz Arena
15.1 km · 45 min
Questions about this trip
What is the Garching Heath?
A nature reserve in the municipality of Eching in the district of Freising. It has been protected since 1942.
Which plants grow there?
218 plant species have been recorded, including the Finger-Kuhschelle, a pasqueflower species that now occurs in Germany only here.
May I enter the heath?
Rules apply in nature reserves. Please stay on the paths and follow the signs on site.
How do I get there from us?
Best by bike. The straight-line distance is about 8 km.
When is the best time to visit?
The pasqueflowers bloom in spring. The exact flowering time varies from year to year.
Image credits:Flocci Nivis, CC BY 4.0 (Source). All image credits
