Panoramahotel Oberjoch: Alpine wellness in the highest mountain village in the Allgäu Alps

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Far-reaching views, clear air, the tempting peaks of the Allgäu Alps within reach and plenty of moments of relaxation – that’s alpine wellness in the Allgäu. The second stop of our summer tour through the Allgäu takes us to a place that combines all these characteristics perfectly: the 4-star superior Panoramahotel Oberjoch near Bad Hindelang.

Curve after curve we wind our way up the mountain. “How far is it?” When we passed the town sign of the tranquil Allgäu village of Bad Hindelang, we thought our destination was just around the corner. We only realize that there are still 400 meters of altitude difference separating us from the Oberjoch district when we follow the more than 100 curves of the Oberjoch pass road uphill. It is considered to be the most winding roads in Germany and takes us to one of the highest villages in the country.

Relaxation at 1,200 metres above sea level

Here in this tranquil village at 1,200 metres above sea level, the hotelier and restaurant entrepreneurs Lerch family opened the Panoramahotel Oberjoch in 2012; a house with a modern appearance, in the middle of an imposing alpine backdrop. This is where city dwellers meet mountain people, casual design meets rustic cosiness and well thought-out spa concepts meet natural healing powers.

As a welcome, we are served a refreshing Zötler mountain limo. Afterwards we take a closer look at our gallery room. The main building, built in 2012, has a total of six different room categories. All rooms have the same basic concept, but vary in size and equipment. Our gallery room includes two double beds and can accommodate up to four people – perfect as a family room. For the two of us, there was plenty of space to spread out. From our room we overlook the chalet village, which was completed in 2017 with 13 rustic alpine chalets. These are also part of the hotel complex.

We were allowed to take a look at the chalets and I was very enthusiastic about the rustic ambience of the alpine chalets! If you like it rustic and homely, you will immediately feel at home here.

3000^m2 Alpine Spa Fun

Regardless of which room category appeals to you more, you can also enjoy the 3,000 m² Alpin Spa. The wellness area of the Panoramahotel Oberjoch is divided into an indoor and outdoor pool (which is connected to each other), a spacious sauna area with bio sauna, Finnish sauna, steam bath and brine lounge as well as themed relaxation rooms. In addition, there are the treatment rooms and the fitness area. After an active day of hiking in the Allgäu Alps, I’m looking forward to loosening up my tired calves in the pool. Afterwards, we sweat profusely again in the free-standing log cabin sauna and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the light-flooded “Lightness” relaxation room. During our visit, the magnificent summer weather ensures that the sunbathing areas outside next to the pool are much more sought-after than the loungers in the relaxation rooms. But even on bad weather days, it shouldn’t be a problem to find a quiet spot.

3 great hikes around Bad Hindelang

Bad Hindelang is located on the edge of the Allgäu High Alps, which stretch along the German-Austrian border and offer plenty of great hiking routes. We have been raving about this magnificent landscape since a hut tour in 2017. Of course, we took the opportunity to explore beautiful hiking routes around the Panoramahotel Oberjoch. But not before we fortify ourselves with a hearty breakfast! To my delight, there is a juice bar at the breakfast buffet of the Panoramahotel Oberjoch in addition to lots of delicacies. I put carrots, apples, celery and cucumbers through the juicer – what a vitamin kick! By the way, on beautiful summer days, as we were allowed to enjoy them, you can have breakfast outside on the terrace!

1. Oberjoch Moor Circular Trail

The most obvious hike is the Oberjoch Moorrundweg. The Oberjoch high moor is located opposite the valley station of the Iselerbahn and the almost 1.5-kilometre-long circular trail is well signposted. The trail leads past the Mohrhütte and the “Moorbad” – a small outdoor swimming pool on the edge of the high moor – and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The circular route is suitable as a leisurely morning or evening walk. If you want to extend this tour, you can follow the hiking trail via Obergschwend in the direction of Unterjoch.

2. From Hinterstein to Willersalpe

Like Oberjoch, the mountain village of Hinterstein is also a district of Bad Hindelang. Some beautiful tours start here – including the easy hike to the Willersalpe. It is one of the few alpine huts in the Allgäu that are not supplied with motorized vehicles. Everything that is needed on the alp is carried up with the help of horses and donkeys. The milk from the approximately 30 dairy cows is processed into cheese directly on the Willersalpe.

The prospect of a piece of mountain cheese is motivation enough for us to tackle the 500 metres of ascent from the “Auf der Höh” car park in Hinterstein to the Willersalpe despite the scorching hot rays of the sun. Fortunately, the trail leads mostly through wooded areas. So we are not too exposed to the sun. Once the altitude has been overcome, the Willersalpe is already in sight. We definitely deserve the currant juice and the piece of oven-warm cake at this point. We postpone the tasting of the mountain cheese until later and pack a piece in the backpack.

On the way back to Hinterstein, we follow the signpost to “Wildfräuleinstein”. The branching path leads us to a legendary rock with two small caves. It is said that the wild Fräulein von Hinterstein once lived here. From here it goes via the “Köpfle” back to the car park “Auf der Höh” in Hinterstein. A nice half-day tour that requires a bit of a breath on the ascent, but otherwise does not involve any particular difficulties.

3. Isel Tightrope Walk

The third tour around Bad Hindelang is this year’s highlight in the Allgäu Alps. This leads us to Oberjoch’s local mountain – the Iseler. In the sporty version, you can start the ascent directly at the Panoramahotel Oberjoch, or overcome the first 500 meters of altitude with the help of the Iselerbahn. From the Isel mountain station to the 1,876-metre-high summit of the Iseler, another 300 metres in altitude have to be mastered on foot. At the top, we are greeted by a magnificent panoramic view of the Allgäu Alps. This is where the scenic and impressive ridge path over the Kühgundkopf and Kühgundspitze to Wiedhag begins. Passing an abandoned Austrian border hut, the hiking trail then leads over alpine pastures back to Oberjoch. Depending on whether the entire 900 meters of altitude are completed on foot or you take a shortcut with the chairlift, the round takes a good 3 to 4.5 hours.

Below the Iseler Gratweg, a moderately difficult via ferrata leads through the rocky flanks of the Iseler – a great option for those who have the appropriate equipment (helmet, harness, via ferrata set).

Après-Wander-Treats

Back at the Panoramahotel Oberjoch, a pampering programme awaits us. I provide my skin with much-needed hydration with a full-body wrap. The Alpin Spa offers coordinated packs for detoxification, regeneration, revitalization and – as in my case – relaxation. A spa therapist applies the pack to me, wraps me up well afterwards and “sinks” me into a pleasantly warm waterbed for 20 minutes. I close my eyes, listen to the birds chirping and switch off completely. While I am pampered with the body wrap, the boyfriend enjoys a beer bath. The Panoramahotel Oberjoch also offers various treatments in terms of baths – the bath with Zötler beer from Rettenberg is said to have a warming and detoxifying effect; ideal after a hike, sport or sauna session. The friend is visibly enjoying it!

The moments of relaxation in the Alpine Spa are followed by culinary delights. In the panorama restaurant, a 5-course menu of your choice is served from Saturday to Thursday. Friday evening is dedicated to a special motto. I especially like the various spreads and the extensive salad buffet.

We end the day in the hotel bar “Freiluft”. In the bar menu there is something for every taste. Gin fans will be thrilled at the sight of the more than 20 different types of gin. From the botanist to the Monkey 47 to the Berlin arsonist, there are some outstanding specimens here. And if you – like me – lack a clear view, then let the competent bartender advise you!

My Foodie Highlight: Dinner at Twelve Hundred NN

In addition to the panorama restaurant, where breakfast and the 5-course panorama dinner are served, there are two other restaurants to choose from. On the one hand, the Meckatzer Sportalp at the valley station of the Isel valley station. Regular culinary events take place here, most of which are free of charge for guests with half board. On the other hand, the gourmet restaurant Restaurant Zwölfhundert NN. In the middle of the Alpin Chalets, chef Christoph Jäger cultivates exquisite regional cuisine.

We were allowed to taste an excerpt of the current menu and were thrilled from A to Z! From the catfish (European catfish) with cucumber, dill and yoghurt to the grilled beef scoop to the dessert combination of strawberry, poppy seeds and white chocolate, everything tasted delicious. The service team will be happy to recommend the right wines. By the way, it’s also worth taking a look at the informatively prepared wine list during dinner in the panorama restaurant.

My tip: plan a dinner at the Twelve Hundred NN for the special moment of pleasure. It’s worth it!

Practical tips about the Panoramahotel Oberjoch

• Bad Hindelang/Oberjoch can be reached from Zurich by train via Sonthofen in just over 4.5 hours. In Sonthofen there is a connection to a public bus in the direction of Bad Hindelang/Oberjoch. By car, the journey takes about 2.5 hours.
• From the winter 2019/2020 timetable change, all overnight guests in Bad Hindelang will be able to use local public transport – and thus all bus connections – free of charge throughout the municipality, including connections to Sonthofen and Tannheimer-Tal/Tyrol.
• Room rates vary depending on the season and occupancy. The double rooms are available from 170 euros per night per person. Included services include a gourmet breakfast, salad bar and soup in the spa bistro, cake bar in the lobby and free participation in the activity and hiking programme with daily changing activities.
• In the restaurant Zwölfhundert NN you can order à la carte or choose between a 5- and 7-course menu. The 5-course menu costs a fair 67 euros.
• In addition to all the great hiking routes that lead directly past the hotel, Oberjoch is also a good starting point for bike tours. E-bikes can be rented from the hotel’s rental service.