The Dachau Moor (Dachauer Moos) is the flat, marshy plain north of the town that inspired the 19th-century artists' colony and gave the colony its distinctive atmospheric quality. The moor is what remains of a much larger wetland that once covered much of the lower Isar valley — much of it was drained for agriculture over the centuries, but sections have been preserved and are now a nature reserve.
Walking or cycling through the moor is a genuine pleasure on a good day, with the wide flat horizon, the reed beds, and the quality of light that the painters captured so well. The area has significant biodiversity — rare orchids, wading birds, and dragonflies populate the preserved sections. Cycling paths lead out from the town through the moor and can be combined with a visit to the nearby village of Karlsfeld. The moor is accessible year-round; spring and early summer are the best times for wildflowers and birds.