Not a weekend goes by without Munich residents escaping the city to breathe in the mountain air. During the cold season, the mountains are particularly popular, not least because of the winter sports opportunities, whether it’s sledding on the Blomberg or skiing in Brauneck. But hiking is also hugely popular, and city dwellers regularly answer the call of the mountains. In doing so, however, they often overlook one particular peak and miss out on a breathtaking panoramic view stretching beyond the state borders.
The Unknown Number Two
Photo: Unknown/Wikimedia Commons
Every child knows that the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain. When it comes to the second-highest mountain, however, many mistakenly name the Watzmann in the Berchtesgadener Land. At 2,713 meters, however, it is 31 meters shorter than the actual number two. The Hochwanner reaches a full 2,744 meters and is located in the Wetterstein Mountains near Mittenwald, right on the border with Austria near Garmisch-Patenkirchen. This makes it not only Germany’s second-highest mountain but also the highest peak in the Tyrolean municipality of Leutasch.
One reason the Hochwanner is so little known is its difficult accessibility. To the north, it features a 1,400-meter-high steep rock face, which is a spectacular sight. Additionally, it is obscured by the Alpspitze and the Höllentalspitze, keeping it off the radar. Despite this, you can climb the Hochwanner and look forward to a long hike without the crowds, unlike on other mountains in the Wetterstein Mountains.
Climbing the Hochwanner
Photo: Tom Hofer/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
There are several ways to climb the Hochwanner. The easiest route is from the south, coming from Austria. You can take the train to Seefeld and then continue by bus to Leutasch. Alternatively, you can drive and park at the Salzbach parking lot in the Gaistal valley. From here, take the Adlerweg into the forest and then turn left onto the Ganghoferweg. Via the Mitteljöchl, you’ll reach a pathless meadow and from there a scree field. You’ll have to scramble a bit, but you won’t need to climb on this hike.
The ascent is challenging, requiring sure-footedness and stamina, but is manageable. It takes about four to five hours to reach the summit cross. The descent is slightly faster, taking three to four hours. You’ll cover 19 kilometers in a single day along sparsely marked trails, if any are present. There are no huts or alpine pastures along the route where you can stop for a break.
If you prefer a greater challenge, approach the summit of the Hochwanner from the north and climb the rock face. Starting from the Reintalangerhütte, you’ll conquer the 1,400-meter-high north face, which requires prior climbing experience. The tour takes between seven and fifteen hours, but you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama at the summit. You can see the Zugspitze, the Jubiläumsgrat, the Alpspitze, as well as the Mieminger Kette and the Gaistal.
