Berchtesgadener Alpen DE Updated 14 Oct 2026

Watzmann

Hocheck via the Watzmannhaus – the achievable summit. The traverse is a different league.

Elevation
2,713 m
Routes
3
Ascent
790–2,030 m
Season
Jun–Sep

Winter: avalanche danger. In winter these routes carry avalanche danger. The preparation here is made for the summer season; in winter the pack adds extra warnings.

The Watzmann (Mittelspitze 2713 m) is the highest mountain of the Berchtesgaden Alps and lies in the Berchtesgaden National Park. It has three main summits: Hocheck (2651 m), Mittelspitze (2713 m) and Südspitze (2712 m). For prepared hikers the Hocheck is the goal: a marked route from the Watzmannhaus (1930 m), one cable-protected steep section, scree and rock at the top. The traverse along the Watzmann ridge is, according to the DAV, a climbing route (grade II, B sections) for experienced people with 10–12 h of walking. This pack is built around the Hocheck tour with a night at the Watzmannhaus; ridge and east face are described only for context.

Routes

  • Hocheck

    Watzmannhaus – Hocheck (2651 m), from Wimbachbrücke or Hammerstiel

    Distance
    18 km
    Ascent
    2,030 m
    Time
    5.5–7 h

    Sure-footed hikers with a head for heights and good fitness

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV brochure: marked high-alpine route (AV 441), one steep section ("Hochstieg") cable-protected; approach to the hut "easy, marked"

    Time: Approach to hut 3.5–4 h (DAV); hut to Hocheck 2–3 h (DAV brochure), Hocheck return about 3.5 h with light pack (DAV Watzmann trek); descent to the valley: no source figure, allow several hours

    7 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

  • Traverse

    Watzmann traverse Hocheck – Mittelspitze – Südspitze (for context only)

    Distance
    23.2 km
    Ascent
    2,022 m
    Time
    10–14 h

    Experienced people with climbing experience only – not a hiking trail

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV brochure: II (many sections I–II), B (no continuous cable); berchtesgaden.de: "hard", climbing I–II, via ferrata passages up to B, mostly unprotected, explicitly not a via ferrata

    Time: 10–12 h (DAV brochure, 16.3 km from the Watzmannhaus); berchtesgaden.de: 14 h from Wimbachbrücke, 10–14 h pure walking time for fit people

    6 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

  • Kühroint

    Kührointhütte and Archenkanzel from Hammerstiel (easy viewpoint walk)

    Ascent
    790 m
    Time
    approx. 4.5 h

    Hikers with basic fitness

    Rating and time in detail

    Forest track and trail; the DAV brochure rates the Hammerstiel approach as "easy, marked"

    Time: Hammerstiel – Kührointhütte about 2 h (Bergwelten), Archenkanzel about 15 min further; return the same way. Distance not given in the sources.

    5 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

Who it is for

According to the DAV brochure, the Hocheck is a marked high-alpine route that requires sure footing and a head for heights.

Read more

The approach to the Watzmannhaus is rated "easy" but long: 1220–1290 m of ascent and 3.5–4 h. On day two another 736 m to the Hocheck follow, and you must walk all the way back down – there is no lift. Feasible for people who can safely manage 1300 m of ascent in a day, have already used cable-protected sections and move confidently on scree and smooth rock. Not suitable for beginners without mountain experience, with old snow or wet rock, with thunderstorm risk, or for children without experience on cables. The Watzmann ridge and the east face are, per the DAV, only for experienced people with climbing experience; the Watzmann hut trek is a hiking route, the ridge is not.

Closures and season

National park: private cars are not allowed inside the park; car parks at the entrances charge fees and are limited (park administration). Rules: stay on the paths, no camping or sleeping outdoors, no fires, no drones, dogs on a leash, take rubbish with you – rangers check and issue fines. Hut seasons: Watzmannhaus mid-May to mid-October (DAV), berchtesgaden.de lists 22 May to 4 Oct for 2027; Kührointhütte May to October (Bergwelten); Wimbachgrieshütte end of May to mid-October (DAV). At the time of research (October 2026) berchtesgaden.de shows the Watzmannhaus and Wimbachgrieshütte as closed. The national park's "path conditions" page currently lists no closure on the Watzmann; an older notice there mentions the Kaunersteig as fully closed (mudslide, very high rockfall danger) – check before the tour. Königssee boats summer 2026: 25 Apr to 11 Oct.

What the pack contains

  • Every route in sections, with danger spots18 sections
  • Turnaround points with reasons9 points
  • Packing list: required per route, recommended by date18 items
  • Getting there, parking, lifts8 entries
  • Weather rules: when not to go10 rules
  • Day plan with times12 steps
  • Common mistakes8
  • All sources with dates14

This is the public overview. After purchase you get every section, the full gear list, travel details, weather rules and the day plan.

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€14.90 one-time

Available soon

Sales start shortly. Until then you can look at the overview.