Oberallgäu

Oberallgäu is a rural district in Swabia that extends from alpine valleys to forested hills in the foothill zone. The landscape includes mountain ranges, high plateaus, smaller settlements, and Sonthofen as the administrative seat.

The area was inhabited by Celtic settlers from the 6th century BC, later occupied by Romans and Christianized during the Middle Ages. The current district was formed in 1972 through the merger of the Sonthofen and Kempten districts.

Each community preserves farming customs, including autumn cattle drives from alpine pastures and the preparation of cheese spaetzle in country inns. Throughout the year, villages organize folk festivals with brass bands and costume groups.

Buses connect the communities and allow access to hiking trails and ski areas even without a car. Most cable cars and cross-country tracks are accessible from December to April, while hiking routes remain open year-round.

Oberstdorf, the southernmost community in Germany, lies within the district and is surrounded by peaks reaching up to 2,649 meters (8,691 feet). Hochfrottspitze is considered one of the most prominent mountains in this border region.

Location: Swabia

Inception: July 1, 1972

Capital city: Sonthofen

Elevation above the sea: 711 m

Shares border with: Unterallgäu, Ostallgäu, Kempten (Allgäu), Lindau, Landkreis Ravensburg, Bregenz District, Reutte district

Website: https://oberallgaeu.de

GPS coordinates: 47.58000,10.25000

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:32