A parked place, ranking tourist cars and hikers and bikers without end: the small village of Eschenlohe on the edge of the Alps is currently experiencing something completely new: mass tourism.
- In the corona pandemic , many are looking for relaxation in the Munich area .
- Previously quiet excursion destinations are becoming increasingly popular, for example Eschenlohe .
- The small village on the edge of the Alps is suddenly confronted with mass tourism - and is desperately looking for solutions.
- There are even more local stories in our weekly region newsletter for Garmisch-Partenkirchen or in our app.
Eschenlohe - It was a weekend to catch your breath for Eschenlohe . Cool temperatures, a bad forecast in advance - there was something normal in the village again . Conditions that the residents are used to and that they want to maintain. The previous weekends around the holidays had revealed a new scenario to the small town in the Loisach Valley - in all its harshness: mass tourism . "This is new for us, we do not even know in Eschenlohe ," says Mayor Anton Kölbl (CSU).
Eschenlohe bursts at the seams: "I'm afraid things will go on like this after Corona"
Since people have been allowed to leave the house in the wake of the corona pandemic , "we have always had single days on which there was a higher volume," says Kölbl. "Our hope was that it would die down again." But the town hall chief has now almost given up this pious belief. "I'm afraid things will go on like this after Corona ."
The Pentecost weekend has so far been the negative high point. In advance, the community had thought about what it could do. "We had no idea how we should approach the topic exactly," admits Kölbl.
Farmer in Eschenlohe provides the community of Wiese as a parking space
The people responsible finally found a solution: a farmer made a plot of land between the motorway and B2 available to the community - as an additional parking space . "To try it out," says the mayor. "And for free," he emphasizes. The result: “The offer was accepted. The positive realization is that traffic can be controlled a little. ”
Eschenlohe municipality is desperately looking for additional parking space
So additional parking space is required . The problem: The farmers sometimes receive subsidies for their meadows if they cannot give them away so easily. In addition, a footprint on grass only works as long as it is dry. "Otherwise we will destroy everything."
The community has no reason of its own between the motorway and the town. Except for the areas around the exit on the A95. "Now we want to improve them, close the holes." Hoping that the areas will be accepted. Due to the difficult location far out of town, Kölbl has doubts. “It's very far out, especially for guests with children. But at least for bikers that would be ideal. ”
Search traffic in Eschenlohe is the worst
Photo gallery: Mass tourism takes Eschenlohe by surprise
To the photo gallery
With this solution, which the council has to approve because of the costs, only one problem would be tackled. “Search traffic in the area is much worse. We had it at Pentecost: Constantly in, out, in, out. ”Kölbl patrolled the three days in the village again and again, noting the number of cars that were on the streets.
Eschenlohe parked up to 500 vehicles
He came up to 500 vehicles that had been distributed in the local area. Even though the community had made provisions. Just with the parking lot on Höllensteinstrasse. "But it held about 100 cars , there are too many left." And the action revealed another problem: "Such a free meadow has no address for a navigation system." So Kölbl indicated the closest one on a self-made board: Höllensteinstrasse 24 , the cemetery. "Then they parked the entire area for us, so you could only get there on foot."
Eschenlohe municipality had to make a town sign itself on the advice of the police
As an immediate measure against the wildlife park, the police advised him to put up a town sign in the direction of the Eschenlaine valley. The community had none on reserve. So Kölbl and Co. tinkered themselves again. They put up the board at the end of the village - with a little hint that behind it parking is only allowed on designated areas. "From the outskirts, the vehicles are no longer allowed to park in the meadow ." Kölbl was surprised: "The people actually paid attention there." They were wildly off-road elsewhere. "And speeding tickets don't annoy them either."
Over-tourism in Eschenlohe: "I say we would rather not have these guests."
It is a "dilemma", Kölbl does not want to put it any other way. "And we are right in the middle of it." After all, the mayor does not want to have bad weather every weekend in the future. He therefore has a clear opinion on the topic of overtourism : “For me it is not a balancing act between tourism or not. I say we would rather not have these guests. Because the situation does not please even the normal vacationer , whom we like to see in Eschenlohe. "
Suddenly Eschenlohe is also worth a trip
Why the small village is now flooded is clear to him: “People drive as far as they come. Then he will be with us. ”And sees that it is also nice for hiking in the Loisach Valley .
Elsewhere, over-tourism has long been an issue - and is exacerbated in the corona pandemic. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Mayor announced steps after Pentecost against the conditions caused by too many day trippers. A man from Munich then resisted the prejudice of guests from the city.
At Tegernsee, too, the problem is known with too many and ruthless day tourists. The mayor of Tegernsee has therefore already sent mail to Munich - and demanded that trips to Tegernsee be prohibited in the lockdown. The topic was discussed controversially, and the demand was well received.
There is also a tourist hotspot on Lake Walchensee, which is repeatedly overrun by day trippers. Last on Pentecost weekend.