The best outdoor spots within an hour of Munich – by train

Munich is fantastic. But sometimes you just need to get out. 🌿 Out of the concrete jungle, out of the subway, out of the daily grind. The best part: you don't need a car. The nature around Munich is so well connected by train that you can be at turquoise lakes, in deep forests, or at the foot of the Alps in under an hour.

No traffic jams, no parking stress, no CO2 guilt. Just hop on, put on your headphones, and arrive. Here are 8 outdoor spots you can reach from Munich Central Station in a maximum of 60 minutes – tested and found to be fantastic.

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Image credit: @divewithlaura

8 Nature Spots within an hour from Munich Central Station

1. Lake Starnberg (S6, approx. 35 minutes)

The classic Munich excursion – and for good reason. From Starnberg station, you're at the water in 5 minutes. The lake offers everything: hiking trails along the shore, SUP rental in summer, swimming spots with Alpine panorama, and cozy beer gardens. The lakeside promenade towards Possenhofen is perfect for a relaxed afternoon stroll. In summer, definitely pack your swimwear!

2. Lake Tegernsee (BOB, approx. 55 minutes)

Lake Tegernsee is Upper Bavaria in picture-book mode. The Bayerische Oberlandbahn (BOB) takes you directly to the lake, where you can choose between hikes, lakeside walks, and the legendary Bräustüberl. Tip: The hike to Galaun Waterfall is short, spectacular, and not overcrowded. In winter, the area is just as beautiful – then the lake steams in the morning light.

3. Lake Schliersee (BOB, approx. 50 minutes)

Lake Schliersee, the younger sibling of Lake Tegernsee, is significantly less touristy and therefore an insider tip. The circular hiking trail around the lake (approx. 7 km) is flat, family-friendly, and offers fantastic views again and again. In summer, there's a lovely lido, and cozy cafés can be found around the lake. If you want more action, visit Schliersbergalm – with a summer toboggan run!

4. Bad Tölz & Isar River (BOB, approx. 50 minutes)

Bad Tölz is the perfect combination of a pretty old town and wild nature. From the train station, you can reach the Isar River in a few minutes, which still flows wild and turquoise green here. The Isar hike upstream is an absolute highlight – in summer, you can picnic on the gravel banks and swim in the (refreshingly cold!) river. Pure nature, only 50 minutes from the city.

5. Lake Ammersee (S8, approx. 45 minutes)

Lake Ammersee is more relaxed than Lake Starnberg and at least as beautiful. From Herrsching (S8 terminus), you can walk directly to the lakeside promenade. Sailing, cycling, swimming – everything is possible here. The bike tour from Herrsching to Dießen (approx. 15 km along the lake shore) is legendary. If you want to learn more about sailing on Lake Ammersee, we have something for you.

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Image credit: @petepontone

6. Lake Kochelsee & Lake Walchensee (BOB + Bus, approx. 60 minutes)

Two lakes for the price of one! Lake Kochelsee is down in the valley, Lake Walchensee is up – and both are breathtaking. Lake Walchensee is often called the "Bavarian Caribbean" because the water is so incredibly clear and turquoise. 🌊 You can take the bus from Kochelsee station up to Walchensee. Perfect for water sports enthusiasts: SUP, kiting, sailing – everything is possible.

7. Andechs Monastery (S8 + Bus, approx. 40 minutes)

The holy trinity of a Munich excursion: hiking, panoramic views, and beer. From Herrsching S-Bahn station, you can hike up to Andechs Monastery in about 45 minutes. The beer garden at the top rewards you with a legendary view of the Alps and an equally legendary Andechser Doppelbock. The hike leads through beautiful beech forests – a delight in every season.

8. Ebersberg Forest (S4, approx. 25 minutes)

Only 25 minutes on the S4 and you're in the middle of the largest contiguous forest area in the Munich surroundings. Ebersberg Forest is perfect if you're just looking for peace and quiet. There's a wildlife park with deer and wild boar, well-marked hiking trails, and hardly any tourists. In autumn, the forest is a sea of colors; in spring, everything smells of fresh green. Underestimated and beautiful.

Sustainable travel – not just for the journey

Traveling by train instead of car is already a strong move for the environment. But sustainable outdoor living goes even further: take your trash with you instead of leaving it behind, travel sustainably, and consume consciously.

At Oceanmata, we know how valuable our nature is. That's why our 11-person team in Bali has already removed over 300,000 kg of ocean plastic from the sea. For every Oceanmata product, 1 kg of plastic is removed from the ocean. Because plastic is not trash – it's a valuable raw material that shouldn't end up in the ocean.

Whether at Lake Starnberg or on the beach of Bali – nature deserves our protection. With over 165,000 ocean heroes in our community, we show every day that things can be different.