Watzmann
2,713 m
Germany
Also known as ВацманнAlso known as
Вацманн
- Elevation
- 2,713 m
- Prominence
- 953 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
AdvisoryReported 6 Oct 2026
Water shortage at the Watzmannhaus: the hut has introduced further water-saving measures and only one washroom is open to all guests (06:00–08:00 and 20:00–22:00). Observed on the section's hut page; the hut's last night of the 2026 season is 8 October.
alpenverein-muenchen-oberland.deWorksReported 1 Sep 2026
Construction work on the 'Salettl' building at the Watzmannhaus was expected to be finished in September 2026 (month-level precision only).
alpenverein-muenchen-oberland.de
Routes
2Sources differ: VF A/B (Cabled passages Hocheck–Mittelspitze (bergsteigen.com rates the full traverse B, mostly A–A/B))
The standard ascent of the Watzmann's highest top, the Mittelspitze (2,713 m): a well-made path from Wimbachbrücke near Ramsau (634 m) via the Stubenalm and Mitterkaseralm to the Watzmannhaus (1,930 m), a waymarked climb to the Hocheck (2,651 m), then an exposed, intermittently cabled ridge of grade I to the summit. About 2,100 m of ascent; usually two days.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 10.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +2,111 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,713 m
- Time Up
- 8h 20m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h 34m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Wimbachbrücke car park and bus stop (634 m) the path climbs through forest past the Stubenalm and the Mitterkaseralm (about 1,400 m) and up the Falzsteig in zigzags past the Falzalm to the Watzmannhaus (1,930 m) on the Falzköpfl, 3½–4 hours. An alternative start from the Königssee side joins via the Kührointalm. Most people sleep at the hut. Above the hut a waymarked path climbs scree and rock steps to the Hocheck (2,651 m), the northern summit, with a small shelter; one steeper step is cabled. Allow about 2 hours. Many walkers stop here. The ridge to the Mittelspitze is much more exposed: the line mostly stays on the west side of the crest, with ledges, ramps and short downclimbs, the awkward places protected by cables that are not continuous. It is not a via ferrata in the modern sense, and several grade I passages are unprotected. About 40 minutes to 1 hour from the Hocheck. Descend the same way (signed times: 1 hour Mittelspitze–Hocheck, about 1½ hours to the hut and 2½–3 hours to the valley), or continue on the full traverse over the Südspitze. Those who find the ridge to the Mittelspitze difficult should turn back there: the continuation is harder. Snow can lie on the ridge into early summer, and afternoon thunderstorms have caused accidents.
Start
Wimbachbrücke632 m
- Train to Berchtesgaden Hbf, then bus 846 towards Hintersee to the Wimbachbrücke stop.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wimbachbrücke → Watzmannhaus | 7.2 | 1,292 | 6 | 5h 13m |
| 2 | Watzmannhaus → Watzmann-Mittelspitze | 2.8 | 817 | 25 | 3h 07m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Wimbachbrücke632 m
- Waypoint: Stubenalm1,143 m
- Waypoint: Mitterkaseralm1,407 m
- Hut: Watzmannhaus1,921 m
- Shoulder: Hocheck2,587 m
North summit with a small emergency shelter
- Summit: Watzmann-Mittelspitze2,713 m
Key Passages
- Falzsteig zigzags to the Watzmannhaus
- Cabled step below the Hocheck
- Exposed ridge Hocheck–Mittelspitze (I, intermittent cables)
Equipment
0/8 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
Germany's best-known mountain silhouette and the central massif of the Berchtesgaden Alps, rising above the Königssee. The highest top, the Mittelspitze (2,713 m), is reached via the Watzmannhaus and the Hocheck on an exposed, intermittently cabled ridge; the full traverse is a 12–15 hour classic.
The Watzmann rises south-west of Berchtesgaden in Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany's only alpine national park. The main massif, the Großer Watzmann, has a 4.5 km ridge running roughly north–south with three tops: the Hocheck (2,651 m), the Mittelspitze (2,713 m, the highest point) and the Südspitze (2,712 m). East of it stand the Kleiner Watzmann ('Watzmannfrau', 2,307 m) and the Watzmannkinder, whose shapes gave rise to the legend of a cruel king and his family turned to stone. Its third-highest place among Germany's main summits is outweighed by its fame: the east face above the Königssee, about 1,800 m high, is the tallest rock wall in the Eastern Alps.
The usual ascent is a two-day trip from Wimbachbrücke near Ramsau: a good path to the large Watzmannhaus, a waymarked climb to the Hocheck, and an exposed ridge with intermittent cables to the Mittelspitze. Many walkers stop at the Hocheck. The full north–south traverse over the Südspitze and down into the Wimbachgries is one of the most popular ridge tours in the Eastern Alps and far more serious, with unprotected grade II passages and a long, rockfall-prone descent.
The mountain is very busy on fine summer weekends. The tiny Watzmann glacier in the Watzmannkar shrank to about 2.5 ha by the end of 2025 and is expected to disappear within a few years; the Eiskapelle snowfield at the foot of the east face largely collapsed in September 2025.
Climbing Notes
For the Mittelspitze by the normal route you need fitness for about 2,100 m of ascent over two days, sure-footedness and a head for heights on the ridge from the Hocheck, where cables are intermittent and some grade I steps are unprotected. Many people use a via ferrata set and helmet; the walk to the Hocheck alone is a fine objective for less experienced hikers. Book the Watzmannhaus well ahead for summer weekends (online only), bring cash and a hut sleeping bag, and start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. The full traverse requires climbing experience up to II, speed (12–15 hours) and settled weather; local guides in Berchtesgaden and Ramsau lead it. The east face is a serious alpine undertaking (III, about 1,800 m) best done with a local guide, and is dangerous during snowmelt in May and June.
History
The Slovenian Valentin Stanič made the first recorded ascent of the Mittelspitze in August 1800, a few days after reaching the summit of the Großglockner; some sources give 1799. Peter Karl Thurwieser first climbed the Südspitze in 1832. The Ramsau guide Johann Grill ('Kederbacher') and Johann Punz made the first traverse of the three summits in 1868, and Grill led Otto Schück up the east face in 1881; Grill was the first warden of the Watzmannhaus from 1888 to 1905. More than 100 people have died in the east face. The Berchtesgadener Weg, its easiest line (III), was found in 1947 by Josef Aschauer and Hellmuth Schuster.
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; ridge for experts only; Watzmannhaus closed (winter room with AV key)
- Feb
- Winter conditions; avalanche risk
- Mar
- Winter/spring snow
- Apr
- Spring snow; avalanche risk
- May
- Hut opens mid/late May (22 May in 2026); snow on the ridge
- Jun
- Old snow on the ridge early in the month; dangerous snowmelt in the east face
- Jul
- Main season; busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Stable weather, fewer people
- Oct
- Hut closes early to mid October (last night 8 October 2026); ice and early snow
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Watzmannhaus (DAV Sektion München & Oberland): online booking only via the Alpine Club reservation system, until 18:00 the day before; groups of 15 or more by email; no phone or email bookings for individuals. Reservations for 2027 open in mid-December 2026.
- Fees
- Watzmannhaus overnight 2026: dormitory EUR 15 for Alpine Club members, EUR 29 for non-members (adults); cash only
- Rules
- Berchtesgaden National Park: camping and planned overnight stays outdoors (tent or bivouac bag) are forbidden; emergency bivouacs only
- Berchtesgaden National Park: dogs must be kept on a lead; no drones or other flying objects; no fires; stay on paths
- Dogs may not stay overnight at the Watzmannhaus, nor sleep outside it
- Getting There
Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden; Berchtesgaden
Salzburg (SZG)
- Train to Berchtesgaden Hbf, then bus 846 towards Hintersee to Wimbachbrücke
- Car: via Bad Reichenhall (B20/B305) or from the A8 (Traunstein/Siegsdorf exit) via Inzell to Ramsau; car park at Wimbachbrücke
- Alternative start from Königssee via the Kührointalm
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
2- 1,327 m
WimbachgrieshütteHut
- 1,930 m
WatzmannhausHutStaffedBooking required
Mid/late May to early/mid October (22 May – 8 October 2026); winter room for up to 10 people, accessible with an Alpine Club key