"Lion's March" at the weekend: "The night route begins from Wessobrunn"

Created: 09/01/2022, 02:00 p.m

By: Jennifer Battaglia, Kathrin Hauser

Traditionally, many bladders have to be treated in the Wessobrunn monastery courtyard.

This was also the case with the “Lion March” two years ago.

© Halmel

For the fourth time, the "Lion's March" initiated by Prince Ludwig of Bavaria is leading through the district.

One station will be in Wessobrunn again.

Co-organizer Vinzenz Walderdorff explains why this is a very special event.

Wessobrunn – The idea for the “Lion March”, a hike over 100 kilometers to collect donations for Africa, came about spontaneously four years ago, says Vinzenz Walderdorff, who is one of the organizers alongside Prince Ludwig of Bavaria.

Only eight weeks later the first “Lion March” was organized.

He led hikers over a distance of around 100 kilometers from Kaltenberg Castle to Hohenschwangau Castle - and as every time since then - across the Weilheim-Schongau district.

Next weekend, Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th, it's that time again: The "Lion's March" starts at around 2 p.m. at Kaltenberg Castle.

Around 750 participants have registered so far.

One of them is Prince Ludwig, who has managed the full 100 kilometers in every “Lion March” so far.

Around 24 hours later, the march ends, which is used to collect donations for the "Learning Lions" training program that Prince Ludwig founded to give young people in remote regions of Africa future prospects.

There are six aid stations on the “Lion's March” where participants can get food and drink and also end the march if their strength flags.

After St. Ottilien, Utting and Dießen, where dinner is served, hikers come to Wessobrunn, where the "Bavarian Red Cross" will set up tents in the monastery courtyard.

The main thing there is to treat blisters on the feet, says Walderdorff: "In Wessobrunn, blister plasters are a classic.

That is the main task of the Red Cross there.” In addition, the participants – as at any other station – would be provided with drinks, fruit and sandwiches.

Around 25 helpers in the monastery village ensure that everyone can start the night well strengthened.

The station is manned from 9 p.m., and hikers are expected to arrive around 10 p.m.

By 12:30 a.m., everyone who hadn’t given up earlier should have arrived at the Wessobrunn monastery courtyard.

According to Walderdorff, this station is of particular importance: "The night route begins at Wessobrunn." This is where it is usually shown whether the participants have managed to complete the entire route.

"At this point, most people have a good overview of whether they can make it or not."

40 kilometers have been covered by then, 60 are still ahead of those who are part of the "Lion's March".

This is also a mental hurdle that needs to be overcome, says Walderdorff.

Some particularly enjoy this part of the route because it is quiet, while others find it difficult.

"For most people, this piece will be a bit of a test of patience," says the organizer.

That is why it is recommended to go in groups at night.

From Wessobrunn it then goes past the Hohen Peißenberg to the fairytale forest and from there to the Wieskirche, where most of the participants are expected around 8 a.m.

There, say those who have already taken part, the hardest part is over.

Hohenschwangau Castle is almost in sight.

Lilly Neumann from Altenstadt has been one of the participants every year so far.

The 64-year-old would like to conquer the entire route again.

In addition, the old town resident is involved in the organization of the lion march.

Not only does she cook a 60-litre tomato soup, but she also helps signpost the trail.

There are two roads in the district that are marked with warning signs: at the junction at Birkland in the direction of Peiting, and at the level of the Herzogsägmühle.

Hikers walk a bit along the road here.

Road users are asked to be particularly careful: so that all participants arrive safely at the finish line.