Sonntagshorn
1,961 m
Germany, Austria
- Elevation
- 1,961 m
- Prominence
- 1,181 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: mittel (moderate mountain walk) (bergtour-online.de)
The shortest and easiest way up the highest summit of the Chiemgau Alps, from the Austrian side: from the paid car park in the Heutal above Unken (about 980 m) through forest to the Hochalm (1,460 m), then across meadows and up steeper switchbacks on the sunny south slope to the border summit. 980 m, about 2.5 hours up and 2 hours down.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +983 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,961 m
- Time Up
- 4h 06m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 49m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive from Unken (Salzburg) up into the Heutal and park in the large paid hikers' car park P2 by the climbing wall, just before the Alpengasthof Heutal (€5 per day in 2024). Follow signs for Sonntagshorn or Hochalm up the road, turn right at the top and shortly after left, and continue through forest to the huts of the Hochalm (1,460 m, about 1:15 h), where the Jausenstation serves food in season. From the Hochalm follow the sign 'Sonntagshorn (1:30h)' across a meadow to the edge of the forest, where the path leaves the forestry road to the left. It becomes steeper and more open and climbs in switchbacks up the broad south slope to the summit cross on the German–Austrian border. The paths are moderately steep and slippery in places, very muddy after rain, but without technical difficulty. Descend the same way (about 2 hours), optionally taking in the Peitingköpfl (1,720 m, about 30 minutes extra) by turning left at the first junction below the summit. Because of its south aspect the route is good in autumn, and in winter it is a popular, moderate ski tour. The northern routes from the Laubau near Ruhpolding through the Kraxenbach valleys are much harder (UIAA II, loose scree, rockfall).
Start
Parkplatz Heutal990 m
- Bus to Unken; no service into the Heutal was confirmed, so allow for the road walk up from Unken.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkplatz Heutal → Sonntagshorn | 6.4 | 983 | 12 | 4h 06m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Parkplatz Heutal990 m
- Hut: Hochalm1,404 m
- Summit: Sonntagshorn1,961 m
Key Passages
- Forest path to the Hochalm
- Steeper switchbacks on the open south slope below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest summit of the Chiemgau Alps (1,961 m), a broad, roof-shaped limestone top on the German–Austrian border between Ruhpolding and Unken. An easy-to-moderate 980 m walk from the Austrian Heutal; harder and wilder from the Bavarian north.
The Sonntagshorn rises south-south-east of Ruhpolding and south-south-west of Inzell, with the border between Bavaria and the state of Salzburg running over its summit. Despite the name it has nothing to do with Sunday: it derives from 'Sonnendach', sun roof, after the roof-like shape seen from the south and the gently inclined, sun-baked southern slope.
The two sides of the mountain are very different. From the Austrian Heutal above Unken, a well-used path climbs through forest to the Hochalm and up the sunny south slope; it is the easiest route, busy on fine weekends, and a popular ski tour in winter. The Bavarian north side above the Laubau valley is a remote, steep landscape of scree, old snow until high summer and gullies; the routes through the Mittlerer and Hinterer Kraxenbach involve UIAA grade I–II scrambling and rockfall risk.
There are no cable cars. The Vorderlahner Kopf and Reifelberg continue the ridge to the west.
Climbing Notes
The Heutal route needs moderate fitness for 980 m of ascent and sure footing on paths that are slippery in places and very muddy after rain; allow 4.5 hours return. Arrive early at weekends, as the car park fills and the summit is rarely quiet. The Hochalm is staffed from early June to the end of October (closed Mondays, Tuesdays and in bad weather) and from Christmas to Easter. The northern routes from Ruhpolding (about 1,260–1,340 m of ascent, 6–9 hours) are only for experienced mountain walkers comfortable with grade II scrambling and loose ground: go up the Mittlerer Kraxenbach and descend the Hinterer Kraxenbach, never the reverse. In winter the south side is a moderate ski tour; carry avalanche equipment and check the Salzburg avalanche bulletin.
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
- Ski tour from the Heutal; avalanche kit needed; Hochalm open
- Feb
- Ski touring season
- Mar
- Spring ski touring
- Apr
- Snowmelt; Hochalm closes after Easter
- May
- South slope often snow-free; north side still snowy
- Jun
- Hochalm open from early June
- Aug
- Thunderstorms possible
- Oct
- Good autumn route thanks to its south aspect; Hochalm open to the end of October
- Nov
- Possible before the first snow; hut closed
- Dec
- Ski touring if snow; Hochalm opens at Christmas
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Heutal hikers' car park P2: paid (€5 per day in November 2024)
- Getting There
Unken
Salzburg Airport (SZG)
- Car: A8 Munich–Salzburg, exit Siegsdorf, via Inzell towards Lofer, after the border right to Unken and right into the Heutal
- Bus: to Unken; no confirmed service into the Heutal
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Rockfall
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,460 m
HochalmHutStaffed
Early June to end of October (closed Monday and Tuesday and in bad weather); Christmas to Easter daily