Relaxing forest walk: Munich's hidden cemetery gem!

Relaxing forest walk: Munich's hidden cemetery gem!

A relaxing walk for the soul – that’s what the forest cemetery in Munich promises. The hiking expert Daniel Krezdorn, 37 years old, has made it his mission to explore this special place of peace and reflection. In addition to an impressive record of 3,000 kilometers covered, including 700 kilometers from Berlin to Munich in just one month, Krezdorn knows exactly how valuable nature is for the soul. His motto “Outside is good” sums it up. With a popular blog that documents over 100 hiking tours, he invites everyone to get outside and enjoy nature.

The hike at the Waldfriedhof begins at the Basler Straße subway station (U3) in Munich's southwest. From there the path first leads north, then left onto Silvrettaweg and under the A95, past the impressive Fürstenried Castle. After about 1.5 kilometers you reach Graubündener Straße and turn right into Forst-Kasten-Allee to reach the south-west entrance to the forest cemetery. The entire walk stretches over 6.5 kilometers and shows how valuable such a place of silence is in the hectic city life.

A place full of life

The forest cemetery with around 64,500 graves sits on an area of ​​161 hectares. For many Munich residents, it is not only a place of farewell, but also a kind of natural island populated by geese and squirrels, for example. Krezdorn describes this diversity of animal life as playful and enriching. The importance of cemeteries as green oases is particularly emphasized today, as they are not only places of retreat, but also contribute to biodiversity in urban areas.

The forest cemetery was laid out in 1899 according to plans by the city architect Hans Grässel and opened in 1907, making it one of the pioneers of forest cemeteries in Germany. Despite its original function, its natural design today makes it more reminiscent of a park than a traditional burial ground. Its access hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until August. Here people spend time bathing in the forest and enjoy the peace and quiet that the place has to offer.

Cultural heritage and individual burials

In the old part of the cemetery there are the graves of important personalities such as the poet Frank Wedekind and the writer Michael Ende. The Krone family mausoleum with its striking white elephant is also a popular destination. The change in burial culture is reflected not only in the individual grave designs, but also in the diverse offerings that funeral homes now provide, such as organic urns and tree burials. RestDirect In this context, has provided interesting information that expands the selection of types of burial and at the same time takes individual wishes into account.

Today's perception of cemeteries has changed significantly; they are much more than just burial places. Loud culture-and-nature They are now also cultural monuments and green resorts. Cemeteries like the Waldfriedhof in Munich contribute to the urban quality of life and are important places of cultural exchange. At a time when urbanization is pushing many people away from nature, they offer the opportunity to reflect and pause.

For anyone looking for a quiet place to relax and at the same time experience the beauty of nature, a walk through the forest cemetery is a worthwhile experience. Daniel Krezdorn has not only discovered this for himself, but also invites everyone to unwind while hiking - because being outside is actually good for you.