Zolling: Ampertal, swimming pond and Late Gothic church

Nature and water around Zolling

The Catholic parish church of St John the Baptist in Zolling is a Late Gothic building from the second half of the 15th century, dating to around 1450. In the municipal area near Zolling, the Ampertal offers many hiking trails and unspoilt waterways. In summer, Anglberger Weiher adds opportunities for swimming to this landscape, with a water surface of around 19,000 square metres.

Stand-up paddleboarding is permitted on the pond. Please be considerate of people seeking relaxation and other swimmers; check the local rules and conditions before your visit.

Freising: countryside, cycle paths and culture

In the wider travel destination of Freising, the Ampertal is designated as a landscape conservation area and is used for hiking and cycling. It is home to numerous animal and plant species that are especially worthy of protection, including four of the 16 dragonfly species threatened with extinction in Bavaria. Nature and outdoor activities here go hand in hand with an awareness of the need to protect the landscape.

A cycling map for Freising district, presented in 2021, covers the entire local cycle path network in the district. It also lists the Isar Cycle Route, the Ammer-Amper Cycle Route, rated four stars, and around 20 suggested cycling tours. As route information may change, it is worth checking the details again before planning.

There are also different options for walks: the 13.5-kilometre Kultur & Natur circular route takes you to important sights in Freising. The approximately 11-kilometre Freising Way of St James pilgrimage route starts at Domberg and is a north-eastern feeder route to the Munich Way of St James. In Freising Forest, the forest discovery trail is an approximately two-kilometre circular route with 23 stations, information boards, information and play activities. For families, these stations offer practical ideas that may help when choosing a day out.

City history, art and gardens

In Freising’s historic old town, patrician and cathedral canons’ houses dating from the Gothic to the Baroque periods surround Marienplatz; a Marian column from 1674 also stands there. Freising Cathedral on Domberg includes a crypt and the Animal Column. The city museum presents around 350 selected objects and groups of objects relating to the city’s history.

Art lovers can visit the Schafhof throughout the year for exhibitions featuring works by international and local artists. The annual Johannismarkt and Advent market are also held there, where selected artisans present unique pieces. The Weihenstephan Art Trail passes almost 30 contemporary works of art across the campus. Its two circular routes each take a little over an hour—an option to consider when planning a different kind of outing from the longer circular routes.

The Weihenstephan Gardens are situated on the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery and are maintained by the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. A viewing terrace in the courtyard garden offers views of the Alpine panorama; the five-hectare trial garden evaluates perennials, woody plants and new rose varieties for their practical value. On Untere Hauptstraße, next to a fountain, a tactile bronze model of Domberg and the old town marks the sights and streets in both standard print and Braille.

The Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is also one of Freising’s attractions: it is the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery and offers brewery tours. The brewery also has a small museum and the adjoining Braustüberl Weihenstephan. Freising’s historic architecture, exhibitions, gardens and brewing culture thus offer distinctive additions to the nature and water experiences around Zolling.

If you’d like to discover other places: Haag an der Amper.

Discover more destinations: Fahrenzhausen, Langenbach, Hohenkammer, Freising, Moosburg an der Isar, Neufahrn Bei Freising, Kranzberg.

Back to the main travel overview: Freising.