Hochwanner

2,744 m

Germany, Austria

Also known as Χοχβάνερ, ჰოხვანერი, +1

Χοχβάνερ · ჰოხვანერი · Хохваннер

Elevation: 2,744 m
Prominence: 697 m
Difficulty: 4/10; Alpine hike
Best Season: Jul–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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UIAAISACT4ScrambleNormal route

Sources differ: T5 (alpenvereinaktiv (DAV Sektion Zwickau, 2025)) · T6 (hikr.org trip report) · PD (hikr.org trip report)

The only walking route up Germany's second-highest summit: a long day from the Gaistal near Leutasch (Austria, 1,240 m) up to the Mitterjöchl (2,098 m), then a pathless, loose scree flank with a 15 m grade I chimney and crumbly ground to the summit cross. About 1,570 m of ascent, 4¼ hours up, 9 hours round trip.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 9.8 km; one way
Ascent: +1,657 m; −155 m lost on the way up
High Point: 2,744 m
Time Up: 7h 04m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 5h 04m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at the paid Gaistal car park at Salzbach (about 1,240 m) above Leutasch, reached by bus from Seefeld. Walk west on the forest road towards the Rotmoosalm, leaving the Ganghoferweg northwards after about 10 minutes, cross the Leitenbach and follow the road as it zigzags uphill. At its high point, just before a small shed, take the path west to the saddle linking the Predigtstein (2,234 m) with the main Wetterstein ridge, then north and west to the Mitterjöchl (2,098 m), where the path from the Steinernes Hüttl arrives. From the Mitterjöchl the marked path ends. Go north over meadow that becomes ever stonier, then straight up scree to a shallow chimney: about 15 m of UIAA I, technically easy but full of loose rock. Above it, cross broken ground right to the south ramp, climb the gully on its right side and, where it steepens, traverse right to the east ridge, which leads over steep, crumbly ground to the summit cross. Cairns and boot tracks are intermittent; route-finding matters, especially on the way down. The view takes in the Zugspitze, the Jubiläumsgrat and the 1,500 m drop into the Reintal. Hoehenrausch.de gives 4¼ hours up and 4¾ hours down, descending via the Mitterjöchl and the Steinernes Hüttl (1,925 m, about 2 hours from the summit), then the Tillfussalm and Gaistalalm and the level Ganghoferweg back to Salzbach: 21.1 km and about 1,570 m in total. Many parties cycle the forest road to the Gaistalalm to shorten the day. Go only in dry conditions with good visibility; the scree becomes treacherous when wet, and descending the loose upper section is slower than it looks.

Start

Parkplatz Gaistal Salzbach1,238 m

Train to Seefeld in Tirol, then bus 433 (formerly 430/431) to Leutasch Gaistal/Salzbach.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Parkplatz Gaistal Salzbach → Hochwanner	9.8	1,657	155	7h 04m

Waypoints

Parking:
Parkplatz Gaistal Salzbach1,238 m
Col:
Predigtstein saddle2,218 m
Reached by a path west from the high point of the Rotmoosalm forest road; the Predigtstein path branches south here
Col:
Mitterjöchl2,095 m
End of the marked path; pathless from here
Summit:
Hochwanner2,744 m

Key Passages

Pathless scree above the Mitterjöchl
15 m chimney (UIAA I, loose)
Gully on the south ramp and traverse to the east ridge
Crumbly final ridge to the summit cross

Equipment

0/7 packed

Safety

Helmetloose rock in the chimney and on the ramp, often other parties aboveRequired
Headlamp9-hour dayRecommended

Footwear

Mountain boots with stiff solesRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersRequired

Navigation

Map, GPS track or downloaded routesparse cairns and markings above the MitterjöchlRequired

Other

Food and plenty of waterno refreshments on the ascent until the Steinernes Hüttl on the way down (open about mid-June to end of September)Required
Trekking poleslong scree slopesRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

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Overview

Germany's second-highest independent summit (2,744 m), on the border ridge of the Wetterstein between the Reintal and the Austrian Gaistal. Its 1,500 m north face is one of the highest walls in the Eastern Alps; the south side is a long, quiet day ending in pathless loose scree and a short grade I chimney.

The Hochwanner stands on the main Wetterstein ridge south of the Zugspitze, with the German–Austrian border running over its summit. To the north it drops almost 1,500 m into the Reintal, one of the highest faces in the Eastern Alps; to the south it sends broad scree and grass slopes down to the Gaistal above Leutasch in Tyrol. Counting only main summits with at least 300 m of prominence, it is the second-highest mountain in Germany after the Zugspitze.

Unlike its famous neighbour, the Hochwanner has no lift, no hut on top and few visitors. The normal route from the Gaistal is a long mountain walk to the Mitterjöchl followed by a pathless, increasingly loose climb with a short chimney of grade I and crumbly ground to the summit cross. The reward is solitude and a close view of the Zugspitze, the Jubiläumsgrat and the Mieminger Kette.

The Steinernes Hüttl (1,925 m) below the Mitterjöchl, and the Tillfussalm and Gaistalalm in the valley, are the only places to stop.

Climbing Notes

A long day for experienced mountain walkers: about 1,570 m of ascent and 9 hours round trip from the Salzbach car park, or less by cycling the Gaistal road to the Gaistalalm or Tillfussalm. Above the Mitterjöchl you need sure-footedness on steep loose scree, a head for heights, route-finding with intermittent cairns, and confidence on a 15 m chimney of UIAA I full of loose rock; wear a helmet and climb the gully one at a time. Go only in dry weather with good visibility. The Steinernes Hüttl (about 10 beds, reservation required) allows the ascent to be split over two days. The best period is July to September, after the snow has gone from the south flank.

History

The first recorded ascent is usually credited to Hermann von Barth in August 1871, though an early survey map already showed a signal pole on the summit, so surveyors may have been first.

Season

Best Jul–Sep

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Not advisable
April: Not advisable
May: Not advisable
June: Possible
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Possible
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter; avalanche terrain
Feb: Winter
Mar: Winter; ski tours in the area for experts only
Apr: Snow on the upper flank
May: Snow on the upper flank; Gaistalalm and Tillfussalm open mid-May
Jun: Snowfields in the gullies; Steinernes Hüttl opens mid-June
Jul: Afternoon thunderstorms; start early
Sep: Steinernes Hüttl closes end of September
Oct: Possible in dry weather; early snow makes the scree and chimney dangerous; huts closing
Nov: Winter conditions
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Steinernes Hüttl: small hut with about 10 beds, reservation required; open about mid-June to end of September.

Fees

Paid car parks in the Gaistal (Öfen, Stupfer, Salzbach)

Rules

The Gaistal road beyond the Salzbach car park is closed to private cars; walk or cycle
The summit lies on the Germany–Austria border (Schengen; no controls on foot)

Getting There

Leutasch (Austria); Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany)

Innsbruck Airport (INN); Munich Airport (MUC)

Train to Seefeld in Tirol, then bus 433 to Leutasch Gaistal/Salzbach
Car: via Mittenwald and the Leutascher Straße to Leutasch, then the Klamm road to the Salzbach car park
From Germany: multi-day approach from Garmisch-Partenkirchen through the Partnachklamm and Reintal to the Reintalangerhütte and over the Gatterl

Hazards

Rockfall
Exposure
Weather
Remoteness

Huts & Shelters

Steinernes HüttlHutStaffedBooking required
10 beds · About mid-June to end of September
1,925 m