Getting there
- Flights to Salzburg (SZG) 20 km from the start
Treks / Germany
Watzmannhaus and Hocheck
Germany · Nearest city: Salzburg (also Munich, Berchtesgaden)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days2
Distance≈ 22 km
Climbing≈ 2,050 m
Highest point2,651 m
A two-day climb to the Watzmannhaus and the Hocheck summit above Berchtesgaden, with views over the Königssee.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonJune to September
High pointWatzmann Hocheck
Watch out: The full Watzmann ridge traverse beyond the Hocheck is a serious scramble. Only continue if you have experience.
Why people choose it
It's the most famous mountain in Bavaria, and the views over the fjord-like Königssee from the Watzmannhaus are some of the best in the German Alps.
What makes it different
- Overlooks the emerald Königssee
- Close to Salzburg and Munich
- A step up to the serious ridge traverse for experienced hikers
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,651 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is generally not allowed in Germany. Use campsites, huts or official trekking pitches where they exist.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Berchtesgaden → Watzmann
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book huts or accommodation as soon as reservations open, starting with the busiest nights.
- Best time to go: June to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Salzburg.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- In huts, boots stay in the boot room, dinner is served at a set time and lights go out around 10 pm.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: June to September
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Big climbs
Some days climb 1,000 m or more. Train with stairs and a loaded pack, and use trekking poles.
Airy sections
Some paths run along steep drops. They're safe with care, but uncomfortable if you're afraid of heights, especially in wind or rain.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Watzmannhaus and Hocheck
Photo credits: Watzmann von Norden by Jörg Braukmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Königsee in Bayern by Mtt1734, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; The Watzman by Wikiuser100, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; KönigsseeHwy by Ray Swi-hymn from Sijhih-Taipei, Taiwan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Watzmanngletscher by Thorsten Hartmann, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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