Hoher Göll
2,522 m
Austria, Germany
- Elevation
- 2,522 m
- Prominence
- 794 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
NoticeReported 7 Oct 2026
The Purtschellerhaus announced it would close for the season because of the weather from Thursday 8 October 2026; there is no winter room.
purtschellerhaus.de
Routes
2Sources differ: VF B/C (roBerge.de) · VF A/B (alpenvereinaktiv (Schusterweg, as quoted for the Kehlstein loop))
The normal route: from the Enzianhütte on the Rossfeld road via the Eckersattel to the Purtschellerhaus (1,692 m), up the grassy Eckerfirst and the rock steps of the north-east ridge, then either the exposed, cable-protected Schusterweg or the Kamin (chimney with pegs and rungs) to the Gölleiten and a broad scree ridge to the summit. About 4–4½ hours up, 1,330 m of ascent.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,338 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,522 m
- Time Up
- 5h 09m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 25m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the small car park at the Enzianhütte (1,230 m) on the Rossfeld road above Berchtesgaden, follow the track to the Eckersattel (1,412 m) in about 30 minutes, then a well-made path in zigzags to the Purtschellerhaus (1,692 m) on the Eckerfirst, about 40 minutes more. A steeper direct variant on the Bavarian side of the fence also exists. The hut sits on the Germany–Austria border and is the usual place to stop or stay. Above the hut the path follows the grassy Eckerfirst to the rocks of the north-east ridge, climbs stepped rock and ledges to a shoulder with a cross, drops slightly on the south-east side and reaches the foot of the steep ridge, where signs mark the split (about 70 minutes from the hut). The right branch, the Schusterweg, is longer and very exposed, with short cable sections and easy climbing (I), and reaches the end of the Mannlgrat after 20–30 minutes. The left branch traverses ledges south to the Kamin, a chimney secured with pegs, cables and ladder-like rungs below the Rauchfang (2,245 m). Both meet on the Gölleiten, a broad scree-covered ridge that leads in 50–60 minutes to the summit. Descend the same way; many parties use the Kamin for the descent as it is quicker. Allow 2½–3 hours down to the Enzianhütte. In early summer, exposed snowfields that are hard to avoid make the route dangerous, and there is no water between the hut and the summit. The grade is disputed: sources give via ferrata A/B to B/C with UIAA I; a via ferrata set and helmet are advisable for anyone not confident on exposed rock.
Start
Enzianhütte1,222 m
- Train or bus to Berchtesgaden; roBerge.de notes a bus connection to the Enzianhütte on the Rossfeld road (check the regional timetable).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enzianhütte → Hoher Göll | 4.9 | 1,338 | 39 | 5h 09m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Enzianhütte1,222 m
Small car park at the inn; the official tourism route starts at a car park higher up the Rossfeld road (Ahornkaser area)
- Col: Eckersattel1,412 m
- Hut: Purtschellerhaus1,691 m
- Shoulder: Gölleiten2,227 m
Signpost where the Schusterweg, Kamin and Mannlgrat routes meet
- Summit: Hoher Göll2,522 m
Key Passages
- Rock steps and ledges of the north-east ridge above the Eckerfirst
- Exposed, partly cabled Schusterweg (or the Kamin with pegs and rungs)
- Long scree ridge of the Gölleiten to the summit
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest summit of the Göll massif (2,522 m) on the Bavaria–Salzburg border, rising more than 2,000 m above the Salzach valley. The normal route from the Purtschellerhaus and the Mannlgrat via ferrata from the Kehlsteinhaus are both exposed, partly cabled routes on Dachstein limestone.
The Hoher Göll stands at the eastern edge of the Berchtesgaden Alps, about 6 km south-east of Berchtesgaden and west of Kuchl; the Germany–Austria border runs over its summit. Two rock ridges meeting at an acute angle give the massif its shape, enclosing the karst plateaus of the Göllsanden and the Umgänge, which break off in steep walls into the Endstal and Alpeltal. In the Berchtesgaden area it is second in popularity only to the Watzmann.
There is no easy way up. The normal route from the Purtschellerhaus, which straddles the border on the Eckerfirst, climbs the north-east ridge on exposed ledges and short cabled sections (the Schusterweg or the Kamin) before a long scree ridge, the Gölleiten, leads to the summit. The Mannlgrat via ferrata from the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) is the other popular line, and the two are often combined as a loop. The west face above the Endstal carries many rock climbs from III to VIII.
The summit gives views over Salzburg, the Königssee and the Watzmann east face, the Steinernes Meer, the Tennengebirge and the Dachstein. Expect 1,300 m of ascent from the Rossfeld road, a day of 6½–7 hours, and crowds at weekends.
Climbing Notes
Very good fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential; the Berchtesgaden tourist board describes the normal route as extremely demanding and not to be underestimated. The cabled sections are short and not continuous, and there is easy climbing (I to I+). A helmet is advisable, and a via ferrata set is recommended on the Schusterweg and required on the Mannlgrat. Carry plenty of water: there is none between the huts and the summit.
As a day trip, start early from the Enzianhütte or the Rossfeld road and allow 6½–7 hours. Staying at the Purtschellerhaus splits the effort and gives an early start; reservation is essential and a hut sleeping bag is compulsory. In early summer exposed snowfields on the Schusterweg and below the Mannlgrat are dangerous and hard to avoid; wait until they have melted or carry an ice axe and crampons and know how to use them. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
History
Local hunters climbed the Hoher Göll early. The first recorded tourist ascent was by the Salzburg theology student Valentin Stanič on 4 September 1800, from the Eckerfirst, a month after his ascents of the Grossglockner and the Watzmann; he took survey measurements on the summit. The first iron summit cross was set up on 12 July 1885 by 31 young men who carried it up overnight. Ludwig Purtscheller called the mountain the landmark of Salzburg's mountain skyline, and the Purtschellerhaus is named after him. In 1922 Josef Aschauer and J. Kurz climbed the 'Großer Trichter' on the west face (V).
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski ascents of the west side for experienced ski-mountaineers only
- Feb
- Winter conditions; avalanche risk
- Mar
- Ski touring only
- Apr
- Spring snow
- May
- Purtschellerhaus and Kehlstein bus open around mid-May; snowfields on the upper route
- Jun
- Lingering exposed snowfields early in the month are dangerous
- Jul
- Main season; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season; busy at weekends
- Sep
- Often stable; shorter Kehlstein bus times from late September
- Oct
- Huts and bus close mid-October; early snow and ice
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Reservation at the Purtschellerhaus is essential and only possible online via the hut's reservation link (Hütten-Holiday); free cancellation up to 3 days before. A hut sleeping bag is compulsory.
- Fees
- The Rossfeld Panoramastraße is a toll road
- Kehlstein bus and lift tickets (Obersalzberg to the Kehlsteinhaus)
- Purtschellerhaus: cash payment only; liner hire EUR 5 plus EUR 10 deposit
- Rules
- Purtschellerhaus: no overnight stays with dogs; groups of 8 or more must request approval before booking
- The Austrian side of the massif lies in the Kalkhochalpen nature reserve
- Getting There
Berchtesgaden (Bavaria); Kuchl and Golling (Salzburg)
Salzburg (SZG)
- By car: A8 Munich–Salzburg, exit Bad Reichenhall/Berchtesgaden, to Berchtesgaden and up via Obersalzberg and the Rossfeld road to the Enzianhütte (about 1,200 m) or a car park higher on the Rossfeld road
- By train to Berchtesgaden; buses to Obersalzberg (line 838) and, according to roBerge.de, to the Enzianhütte
- Kehlstein bus (line 849) from Obersalzberg to the Kehlsteinhaus for the Mannlgrat, early/mid May to mid/late October
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,692 m
PurtschellerhausHutStaffedBooking required
40 beds · Staffed from about mid-May to mid-October, weather permitting; closed in winter, no winter room