The ranger-led tours of the "Alpinium – Center for Alpine Nature Experience" offer insights into the fascinating natural landscape of the Allgäu region. At the Nebelhorn, we observe the habitat of the Rock Ptarmigan.
Marmot Hike: Discover the Local Rodent
"Murmele": This is what the Allgäu region affectionately calls the second largest local rodent. However, the name has little to do with murmuring, as the animals are more easily recognized by their shrill, whistling sounds that can be heard from a great distance.
Marmot Hike: Discover Marmots in Germany & Austria on Your Doorstep
All important information about the Marmot Hike summarized for you:
Organizer: Alpinium – Center for Alpine Nature Experience
Date: Every Wednesday from June 18th to September 10th, 2025
Start: 9:00 a.m.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
Meeting Point: Fellhornbahn valley station next to the ticket office
Registration: Oberstdorf Tourist Information the day before by 4:00 p.m. | Tel.: +49 (0)8322 7000 or online at www.oberstdorf.de | Minimum 5 participants
Important: Group ascent to the starting point of the hike: Schlappoldsee station. Participation is free with a valid cable car ticket. Please purchase your cable car ticket before the tour begins! Please bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, weatherproof clothing, drinks, and perhaps a small snack.
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Marmot: An exciting native wild animal
The marmot can reach an impressive size: a length of up to 70 centimeters and a weight of up to 7 kilograms. Marmots are widespread in alpine regions and are known for their ability to move skillfully in inhospitable and steep terrain. They are excellent climbers and can easily navigate rocky terrain and snow-covered slopes.
Marmots often live in large colonies, also known as "marmot cities." These colonies consist of a complex network of tunnels and chambers that they have dug themselves. Within these colonies, they have a sophisticated social system with various ranks and roles.
The marmot spends the winter in its burrow in hibernation, which can last up to 6 months. However, in summer, these popular rodents are very active, so with luck, we can observe the animals from a distance and listen to their calls during our hike on the Fellhorn.
Information about the organizer
Alpinium – Alpine Nature Experience Center
With its team of experts from the fields of nature conservation, tourism, and land use, the Alpinium is a center of expertise for current challenges in Alpine conservation. These topics are developed as models in the southern Oberallgäu district and disseminated to interested regions in the Bavarian Alpine region.
The Alpinium's mission, among other things, is to create the foundations for safeguarding biodiversity and for the conception and implementation of species conservation projects.
Current key tasks:
- Visitor guidance and monitoring, as well as addressing and educating people on the site, and raising awareness of environmentally friendly behavior.
- Development of a spatial concept for the Oberallgäu district.
- Design and implementation of guided tours and nature observations on nature conservation topics.
- Monitoring rare species and their population trends.
- Presence and advisory function at sites of importance for nature conservation.
- Initiation and support of coordination processes between the various nature user groups.
- Conducting training courses for multipliers and commercial providers in the outdoor sector.
The Rangers
The Alpinium rangers work in close coordination with the rangers of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park and are primarily responsible for the Allgäu High Alps Nature Reserve and the other Upper Allgäu communities east of the Iller River.
The area is characterized by a great diversity of habitats, some of them rare, and, as a result, a large number of animal and plant species. It is a refuge and habitat for endangered species such as the black grouse, the Apollo butterfly, the sundew, and others. It also provides space for around 8 million overnight visitors each year, as well as numerous day visitors and locals. The rangers develop opportunities for respectful coexistence between people and nature and implement these in the area.
They are available at any time to provide information and tips on environmentally friendly behavior in the area and offer a wide range of guided tours for locals and guests alike.
On the "Out and About with the Alpinium" tours, you'll learn fascinating facts about the unique natural surroundings of the Upper Allgäu and gain insight into the daily lives of the rangers.
Address:
Alpinium – Alpine Nature Experience Center
Kirchgasse 2
87538 Obermaiselstein
Tel: (0821) 327-3465
alpinium@reg-schw.bayern.de
These hikes might also interest you
Whether it's Hiking in the Allgäu in the summer or our popular Winter Hiking in the Allgäu – we've put together many options for you. And why not check out our other "Big Five Hike," the Alpine Ptarmigan Tour?
