Hoher Peißenberg

Hoher Peißenberg stands in the Bavarian Prealps, part of the Pfaffenwinkel region. The mountain stretches from east to west and is partly covered with woodland. Its summit belongs to the municipality of Hohenpeißenberg, while lower eastern slopes lie within the market town of Peißenberg. The mountain’s centre is about 900 metres south of the summit, and Peißenberg’s centre lies 3.5 kilometres to the east. The mountain hosts several notable buildings. A pilgrimage church dedicated to the Assumption crowns the peak, with its earliest section dating to 1514. A larger church and clergy house were added in the early 17th century, and summer pilgrimages in national costume continue a centuries-old tradition. Above the sacristy, a small museum opened in 1990, accessible on request. Nearby, the Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory has recorded weather data since 1781, making it the world’s oldest mountain weather station. A broadcasting tower, built in 1978, also stands close to the summit. On clear days, the southern side offers a sweeping view of the Alpine chain. The panorama stretches from the Grünten in the west to the Chiemgau Alps in the east, taking in the Zugspitze in the Wetterstein range. Three lakes are visible: Ammersee to the north-north-east, a glimpse of Lake Starnberg to the east-north-east, and Staffelsee to the south-east. The mountain is a popular excursion destination and can be seen from 400 different settlements across the region.