Around Munich, we find the most beautiful hiking routes in both summer and winter. Mountains such as the Watzmann and, of course,superlatives such as the Zugspitze offer alpine challenges for professionals . But there are also plenty of options for easier hikes around the city. For many Munich residents, the Jochberg is the epitome of the perfect mountain hike: it is not too difficult, can be reached quickly, and offers a view that one would otherwise expect to find in Norway.
The mountain with the “fjord view”
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The Jochberg is 1,565 meters high and is located directly on the northern shore of Lake Walchensee in the Bavarian Prealps, about 80 kilometers south of Munich. It stands exactly between Lake Walchensee and Lake Kochelsee. Since it has no direct neighboring mountains to the north, you have an unobstructed view of the High Alps to the south from here .
This is precisely its trademark: the view from the summit of the Jochberg falls almost vertically onto the deep blue Walchensee, which, with its wooded bays and turquoise shimmering water, is reminiscent of a Scandinavian fjord. Behind it rise the snow-covered peaks of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains. If you turn around, you can see Lake Kochel and the wide Alpine foothills, which on clear days stretch as far as the silhouette of Munich.
Hiking to the Jocheralm
Photo: Unsplash
Jochberg is a particularly good place for hiking. The tour up the mountain is considered moderate and is also easily manageable for occasional hikers. A well-maintained, steadily ascending path winds its way up through the forest. In the upper third, the forest opens up to reveal the meadows at the summit. The ascent takes only about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Just below the summit is the Jocheralm. It is open during the alpine grazing season from around the end of May to October and offers the perfect break after the climb. You can enjoy the sun here with a snack or a cold drink. But even in winter or the off-season, the mountain is still a popular destination for winter hikes.