May 17, 2026 – October 31, 2026
Einfach Alm
Photographs by Manuela Federl, interviews and objects show everyday life on four Chiemgau alpine pastures, away from the usual clichés.
Holzknechtmuseum Ruhpolding
Museum on the history of forestry work in the Chiemgau: interactive permanent exhibition and outdoor grounds with original lumberjacks' huts in the Laubau near Ruhpolding.
Opening hoursAdmission from €9 Wheelchair accessible
Current exhibitions
May 17, 2026 – October 31, 2026
Durch Schnee und Eis
Pictures by photojournalist Diether Endlicher follow a 1973 cattle drive up to the alpine pastures across the Krimmler Tauern.
About the museum
The Holzknechtmuseum in the Laubau south of Ruhpolding opened in 1988. It tells the roughly 400-year social and economic history of the Holzknechte (lumberjacks) who felled timber in the mountain forests of the Chiemgau from the 16th century onward – for a long time mainly as firewood for salt boiling. The driving force behind it was the forestry scientist Josef Demleitner. The museum is run by a special-purpose association made up of the Bezirk Oberbayern, the district of Traunstein, the municipality of Ruhpolding and the friends' association.
From 2017, the association planned an entirely new permanent exhibition, which opened in summer 2021. In the accessible main building, spread over three levels and more than 350 square meters, original tools and restored objects are combined with alpine scenography, audio stations, historical educational films and interactive elements, right up to a harvester simulator. The redesign won the Bayerischer Museumspreis (Bavarian Museum Prize) in 2023.
On the outdoor grounds of around three hectares, a circular trail leads to reconstructed lumberjacks' huts from the surrounding mountain forests, where the forest workers lodged during their working weeks, including log buildings such as the Rinderkobel and the Plenkerkaser. Transport sleds, splitting wedges and other equipment show how timber was felled in the mountains, brought down to the valley in winter and processed. Special exhibitions complement the program every season.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition awarded the Bayerischer Museumspreis 2023
- Original lumberjacks' huts on the outdoor grounds
- Historical timber transport sleds and tools
- Harvester simulator and interactive stations
- Two historical lodges available to rent for celebrations
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung und Freigelände – Interactive exhibition on the working and living world of the lumberjacks on three levels, plus a circular trail to original forest workers' huts.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Zweckverband Holzknechtmuseum Ruhpolding (Bezirk Oberbayern, Landkreis Traunstein, Gemeinde Ruhpolding, Förderverein)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Children and teenagers, school students, university students up to age 27, Federal Volunteer Service participants, people with disabilities with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 5 · Children under 6 free. |
| Seniors | €8With ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €7With a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more and ID: €7; free with GdB 100 and for wheelchair users. Companion ("B" marker) pays €7. |
| Students & apprentices | €7With ID, up to age 27. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €7 per personAdult groups of 10 or more €7 per person; guided tour €35 per guide (approx. 15–20 people). School classes: admission €6 + guided tour €4 per child, workshop an additional €6–7. |
| Families | €20Up to two adults with children. |
| Admission with the Ruhpoldinger Bürgerkarte (residents' card) | €6 |
An additional €1 discount with the Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card). Special exhibitions are included in admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All floors of the museum building can be reached by elevator; accessible restrooms in the basement and in the Schneckenbachstube. The outdoor grounds are accessible except for a few huts.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 · Up to two adults with children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Tours and workshops for families by arrangement; interactive stations such as a harvester simulator and an outdoor area with historic lumberjack huts.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Regional bus (RVO) and the Ruhpolding village bus line; according to the museum, travel by public transport can be free of charge.
By car
The parking concept of the municipality of Ruhpolding applies to parking.
Amenities & dining
Dogs on a short leash are welcome (free admission). No smoking on the entire grounds.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 120 guests.
Two historical lumberjacks' huts can be rented year-round: the Schneckenbachstube (winter lodge from 1879, up to 120 people, from €435/day for private events) and the Sondersbergstube (summer lodge from 1855/56, 25–30 people, from €210/day for private events); both with kitchen, electricity and wood-burning stove, no overnight stays.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for private purposes permitted; commercial use only with permission from the museum management. |
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops for school classes, families, seniors and adults by arrangement (by phone May–October at the museum ticket desk); teaching materials for grades 3/4. |
