Zwiesel

1,782 m

Germany

Also known as Zwiesel (szczyt)

Zwiesel (szczyt)

Elevation: 1,782 m
Prominence: 1,060 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Oct
Routes: 1

Routes

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The shortest and most popular ascent: from the Wanderparkplatz Jochberg above Schneizlreuth (about 870 m) on a signed path to the Zwieselalm and Kaiser-Wilhelm-Haus (1,386 m), then a narrow path through dwarf pine up the south flank to the summit. About 890–940 m of ascent and 2.5 hours up; same way down.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 4.3 km; one way
Ascent: +907 m; start → summit
High Point: 1,782 m
Time Up: 3h 34m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 22m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From the Wanderparkplatz Jochberg (about 870 m) on the Jochberg plateau above Schneizlreuth, follow the signed Hüttenweg north through forest and clearings to the Zwieselalm (1,386 m), a listed alpine farm with the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Haus, in about 1½ hours (2.9 km, about 490 m). The alm serves food and drink on open days. Behind the alm a narrow path climbs the south flank through dwarf pine. The last section is steeper and stony but remains easy, and reaches the summit cross in about an hour (1.8 km, about 370 m). The Zennokopf (1,756 m) just south-west can be added on the way; the Gamsknogel (1,752 m) lies further along the ridge towards the Hochstaufen. Descend the same way, about 2 hours. Gipfelbuch.online gives 9.3 km and 891 m for the round trip, 2:26 h up and 2:06 h down; other guides give 850–940 m. Longer approaches to the Zwieselalm start at Karlstein near Bad Reichenhall (2.5 hours), the Padinger Alm (3 hours, via the Bartlmahd) or Einsiedl near Inzell (2.5 hours).

Start

Wanderparkplatz Jochberg880 m

No direct bus to the Jochberg car park was confirmed; Karlstein near Bad Reichenhall is the start closest to public transport.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Wanderparkplatz Jochberg → Zwiesel	4.3	907	6	3h 34m

Waypoints

Parking:
Wanderparkplatz Jochberg880 m
Hut:
Zwieselalm1,383 m
Summit:
Zwiesel1,782 m

Key Passages

Zwieselalm
Narrow, steeper path through dwarf pine on the south flank

Equipment

0/3 packed

Footwear

Walking bootsstony upper pathRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersRecommended

Other

Waterthe dwarf-pine slope is hot in summer; the alm is open only on certain daysRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

The highest point of the Staufen massif above Bad Reichenhall (1,782 m), a grassy and dwarf-pine summit reached by an easy 2.5-hour walk past the historic Zwieselalm, with views over the Berchtesgaden Alps and the Salzburg basin.

The Zwiesel is the western, slightly higher neighbour of the better-known Hochstaufen, at the north-eastern edge of the Chiemgau Alps between Bad Reichenhall, Inzell and Schneizlreuth. Its broad south side is pasture and dwarf pine; the ridge continues east over the Gamsknogel to the Hochstaufen and south-west to the Zennokopf.

The usual base is the Zwieselalm at 1,386 m, an alpine farm recorded since 1864 whose Kaiser-Wilhelm-Haus was built after 1900 in memory of Prince Wilhelm (later Emperor Wilhelm I), who was carried up the Zwiesel in a sedan chair while taking the cure in Reichenhall. Both buildings are listed monuments, and the alm is a stop on the Maximiliansweg long-distance trail.

The ascent is technically easy and well signed, which makes the Zwiesel a good alternative to the rockier Hochstaufen, with a wide view over the Reiter Alpe, Lattengebirge, Untersberg and the Berchtesgaden peaks.

Climbing Notes

A half-day walk for anyone with basic fitness: about 900 m of ascent, 2.5 hours up and 2 hours down from the Jochberg car park. The path above the alm is narrow and stony but easy. Combine with the Zennokopf, or with the Gamsknogel and Hochstaufen for a longer ridge day (the Hochstaufen section is harder and needs sure-footedness). Check the Zwieselalm's opening days in advance if you count on refreshments; it is open only on certain days in good weather. In winter the Zwiesel is a snowshoe and ski-touring objective; check the avalanche bulletin.

History

The Zwieselalm is recorded from 1864. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Haus at the alm was built after 1900 to honour Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, later German Emperor, who had been carried up the Zwiesel in a sedan chair during a cure at Bad Reichenhall.

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; avalanche bulletin essential
Feb: Winter conditions
Mar: Spring snow on the upper slopes
Apr: Lingering snow above the alm
May: Usually snow-free by late May
Jul: Hot on the dwarf-pine slope; thunderstorms
Aug: Car park can fill early during the summer holidays
Oct: Clear autumn days; Zwieselalm open on selected days into early November
Nov: First snow; alm closes
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Fees

Paid parking reported at the Wanderparkplatz Jochberg (EUR 6 day rate in one source)

Rules

Private vehicles may no longer drive up to the Padinger Alm; park at the small Nonn car park

Getting There

Bad Reichenhall

Salzburg Airport (SZG)

Car: A8 to the Traunstein/Siegsdorf exit, B306 to Inzell and B305 to Schneizlreuth, then up to the Jochberg car park (Jochberg, 83458 Schneizlreuth)
Other trailheads: Karlstein near Bad Reichenhall (680 m), Nonn/Padinger Alm (670 m), Einsiedl near Inzell (740 m)
Train to Bad Reichenhall; no bus to the Jochberg car park was confirmed

Hazards

Weather

Huts & Shelters

ZwieselalmHutStaffed
Summer to early November, on selected days (Thursday–Sunday, 11:00–16:00 in good weather); no overnight accommodation
Website of Zwieselalm
1,386 m