The Asam loop trail is a round trail that takes about two hours with starting and end point at the monastery of Ensdorf. You start in the monastery courtyard and then you leave the impressive grounds through the archway, turn to the right and hike through Ensdorf in the direction of the bridge across the Vils. The parish church (St. Jakobus) with its ceiling paintings by Cosmas Damian Asam is at your back. You pass the Asam cafe and the town hall of Ensdorf before crossing  the river, at which point the trail takes the hiker to the Naturbundhütte in a northern direction. Shortly afterwards you reach the Steinbergwand. Archeological findings prove the existence of a human settlement here as long as 20,000 years ago. Further excavations suggested that the region must have been populated in the time between 8.000 and 5.000 b.C., too. On a forest path the Asam loop trail leads from the Steinbergwand to the foot of the Mount Calvary staircase, which contains 218 steps. The atmosphere there of trees, air and light is truly unique, and thus the way up to the Mount of Calvary past the Stations of the Cross becomes an unforgettable experience. A bench under a mighty linden tree invites weary legs to rest and offers a beautiful view of Ensdorf with its Baroque monastery and the huge tower of the parish church of St. Jakobus. The tower of St. Stephen with its characteristic stepped gable is one of the oldest church towers in Bavaria. At last you reach the pilgrimage church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers ("Wallfahrtskirche der 14 Nothelfer") on the Eggenberg. The church orgininated at the place of a wayside cross at the foot of a tree. In its oldest parts it goes back to the 17^th century.

In the so-called Pfarrholz you pass a wayside cross after about 150 meters, and shortly afterwards you reach the hamlet of Schön.You proceed on the ridgeway in a southeastern direction, and from there you notice beautiful views of the Vils valley again and again. On the path in the direction of Rieden you pass Schönhof, another small hamlet on the hills, and soon you will reach the Schlossbergkapelle ("chapel on castle hill") with a view of the Vils valley. Along several Stations of the Cross the trail leads down into the Vils valley to Rieden. The Asam loop leads across the Vils to the other side of the market town, then past the church and through the town up the hill again. After you have reached a field barn at high elevation, you can take in wonderful impressions of this landscape, since from there you have a good view of the equestrian sports center at Kreuth and of Rieden in the valley. Along field paths on the elevated plain the Asam loop leads further on in the direction of Ensdorf. About an hour later you reach the starting point of your hiking tour, the monastery of Ensdorf. The shadowy monastery park invites you to a rest. The pious hiker may make a visit to the cool church or the green chapel, alternatively weary legs may refresh themselves in a Kneipp bath, the so-called Cool-Water-Fun-Park.

In Ensdorf and in Rieden the hiker can find inns for a rest.

(If you want to stay overnight at the Monastery of Ensdorf, please make a reservation!)

Canoe renting:

The "Canadians" (rugged canoes) of the ecological station at the Monastery of Ensdorf are for rental for groups. Please make a reservation in time! The boats fit four people, they are easy to use  and can be mastered even by beginners. All the boats have been examined by the "TÜV" (Technical Control Board) and are equipped with the relevant safety provisions. Transport of boats can be arranged after reservation.

Season: 15 June – October

Fee: please ask for details.

www.kloster-ensdorf.de/umweltstation/xtra/#kanu