Geigelstein

1,808 m

Germany

Elevation: 1,808 m
Prominence: 1,148 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Oct
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: leicht (technically easy; fitness medium to hard) (bergtour-online.de)

The classic western ascent: from Huben near Sachrang (about 720–740 m) up the forest road or the Jägersteig to the DAV Priener Hütte (1,410 m), then about an hour on a zigzag mountain path past the Wandspitz to the summit cross and chapel, with sure footing needed on the last 100 m through dwarf pine and rock. About 1,100 m, 3–3.5 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 9.4 km; one way
Ascent: +1,180 m; −98 m lost on the way up
High Point: 1,808 m
Time Up: 5h 18m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 3h 52m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at the car park at Huben (or the paid one at Innerwald just north) on the road from Aschau to Sachrang; the RVO bus 9502 from Aschau station stops at 'Geigelstein Aufstieg'. A steep forest road climbs east to join the route from Sachrang; you can follow the forest road all the way (the winter and toboggan route) or take the waymarked Jägersteig via the Schreckalm (1,403 m). Either way you reach the Priener Hütte of the DAV Prien section at 1,410 m in about 2–2.5 hours, with views across to the Wilder Kaiser. From the hut a simple mountain path zigzags up past the Wandspitz to the summit in about an hour. The last 100 m of height lead through dwarf pine and over rock and need sure footing. The summit has a cross and a small chapel; on clear autumn days the view reaches the Berchtesgaden Alps, Kaisergebirge, Großglockner, Karwendel and Chiemsee. Descend the same way, or make a loop: up via the Schreckalm, Sulzingalm and Oberkaseralm (about 3.5 hours to the top, more varied but not shorter) and down via the Priener Hütte and the Grünbodensteig (about 6 hours in total). Do not use the southern descent from the summit between 1 December and 31 May (wildlife protection zone), and note that the crossing from the Priener Hütte to the Roßalm is closed in April and May. In winter the forest road to the hut is usually passable on foot, but a basin below the summit collects deep snow.

Start

Huben724 m

Train to Aschau im Chiemgau, then RVO bus 9502 towards Oberaudorf to the 'Geigelstein Aufstieg' stop.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Huben → Geigelstein	9.4	1,180	98	5h 18m

Waypoints

Parking:
Huben724 m
Feature:
Schreckalm1,408 m
On the waymarked Jägersteig variant; the forest road bypasses it
Hut:
Priener Hütte1,410 m
Feature:
Wandspitz1,676 m
Passed on the zigzag path from the hut to the summit
Summit:
Geigelstein1,808 m

Key Passages

Forest road or Jägersteig to the Priener Hütte
Zigzags past the Wandspitz
Last 100 m through dwarf pine and over rock

Equipment

0/4 packed

Technical

Microspikes and polesspring and late autumn, when snow lies below the summitRecommended

Safety

Snowshoes or touring skis, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probewinter ascent beyond the hutRequired

Footwear

Mountain bootsrocky last 100 m; muddy forest pathsRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

The 'flower mountain' of the Chiemgau (1,808 m), the highest Chiemgau Alps summit wholly in Bavaria, at the heart of one of Bavaria's largest nature reserves. A long but easy walk from Sachrang via the DAV Priener Hütte, with a summit chapel and views to the Wilder Kaiser and Großglockner.

The Geigelstein rises between the Prien valley and the Tiroler Achen, separated from the Kampenwand to the north by the Dalsen depression and bordered to the south by the Austrian Kaiserwinkel around the Walchsee. Its flanks belong to Aschau im Chiemgau and Schleching. Broad alpine pastures and grazing alms (Wirtsalm, Roßalm, Schreckalm and others) cover much of the mountain, and about 720 species of ferns and flowering plants, 111 of them protected, have earned it the name 'Blumenberg des Chiemgaus'.

The 3,135 ha Geigelstein nature reserve, created in 1991 after a long fight against ski and cable-car developments, also protects black grouse, capercaillie, rock ptarmigan and breeding golden eagles. Mountain biking, paragliding and ski and snowshoe touring are allowed but restricted, and some areas close in the breeding and winter seasons.

The classic ascent comes from Sachrang in the west via the Priener Hütte; the shortest but steeper one from Ettenhausen near Schleching via the Wuhrsteinalm and Wirtsalm (about 1,200 m from the valley since the Geigelsteinbahn chairlift stopped running in 2014); and a quiet, demanding north-east route via the Roßalm. On clear autumn days the summit view runs from the Berchtesgaden Alps over the Kaisergebirge and Großglockner to the Karwendel and the Chiemsee.

Climbing Notes

Technically easy but long: about 1,100 m from Huben or Sachrang, 3–3.5 hours up and 2–2.5 hours down, so good fitness is needed. Wear boots for the rocky final 100 m. The Priener Hütte (35 beds, 36 dormitory places) is open almost all year and makes a good overnight stop for sunset and sunrise. Respect the seasonal closures of the nature reserve: no southern descent from the summit from December to May, and no crossing from the hut to the Roßalm in April and May. In winter the forest road to the hut is a popular snowshoe and toboggan route; beyond the hut you are in avalanche terrain, and a basin below the summit holds deep snow.

History

In 1975 the citizens' initiative 'Rettet den Geigelstein', based mainly in Schleching, formed to oppose a planned ski circuit and several cable-car projects to the summit. After more than 15 years of conflict the area was designated a nature reserve in 1991. The Geigelsteinbahn chairlift from Ettenhausen to the Wuhrsteinalm (1,100 m) has been out of service since 2014.

Season

Best Jun–Oct

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Best (best window)
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: Snowshoe or ski tour; forest road to the hut usually passable; avalanche terrain above
Feb: Winter; southern summit descent closed
Mar: Winter conditions; wildlife closures
Apr: Snow below the summit; hut–Roßalm crossing closed
May: Snow patches; hut–Roßalm crossing and southern descent closed until end of May
Jun: Alpine flowers; alms open mid-June
Jul: Priener Hütte open daily
Oct: Clear autumn views; Priener Hütte open daily
Nov: Short days; hut closed Monday and Tuesday
Dec: Winter; southern descent closed from 1 December

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Priener Hütte: +49 (0)8057 428, www.prienerhütte.de

Fees

Car parks: Innerwald paid; Huben reported free in 2024; Sachrang hikers' car park about €2–5 per day

Rules

Geigelstein nature reserve (NSG, 3,135 ha): stay on paths; mountain biking, paragliding and ski/snowshoe touring restricted; some areas closed in the breeding season
Southern descent from the summit closed 1 December to 31 May (wildlife and forest protection zone)
Crossing from the Priener Hütte to the Roßalm closed in April and May for nature protection

Getting There

Aschau im Chiemgau

Salzburg Airport (SZG); Munich Airport (MUC)

Train to Aschau im Chiemgau (from Prien am Chiemsee), then RVO bus 9502 towards Sachrang/Oberaudorf to 'Geigelstein Aufstieg' or 'Sachrang Ort'
Car: A8 Munich–Salzburg, exit Frasdorf, via Aschau towards Sachrang to the Huben or Innerwald car park (about 8 km past Aschau)

Hazards

Weather
Avalanche

Huts & Shelters

Priener HütteHutStaffed
71 beds · Nearly year-round: daily July to October and in Bavarian school holidays; otherwise closed Monday and Tuesday
Website of Priener Hütte
1,410 m