Do you know this Bavarian saying: “I gang so gern auf d’Kampenwand, wann i mit meiner Wamp’n wand” (I love going up the Kampenwand when I’m with my wife)? If you enjoy hiking and climbing, you can’t miss one of the most beautiful mountains around Munich: the Kampenwand is one of the most striking mountains in the Chiemgau Alps. Its rugged summit ridge of light-colored Wetterstein limestone is visible from afar and has earned it the famous Bavarian quote.
At 1,669 meters, the main summit of the Kampenwand is no small feat. The huge, 12-meter-high Chiemgau Cross on the east summit is even the largest summit cross in the Bavarian Alps. This is because it was erected as a memorial to the fallen of the Chiemgau region. Take a little time at the summit to really grasp its dimensions.
Tours for every hiking level
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The best thing about this mountain is that the Kampenwand is suitable for everyone, from leisure hikers to extreme climbers. Leisure hikers can simply take the Kampenwandbahn cable car, which will take you from Aschau to the mountain station in 15 minutes. From there, an almost flat panoramic trail with the best view of Lake Chiemsee leads to the Steinlingalm.
Hikers can tackle the mountain on foot. From the Kohlstatt or Hintergschwendt parking lot, the ascent takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and leads along forest roads and mountain trails. The actual summit is rocky. The path from the Steinlingalm to the cross requires sure-footedness and a head for heights, as you will need to use your hands to help you along.
Climbing walls in a class of their own
Photo: Unsplash
The Kampenwand is a true paradise for climbing. There are hundreds of routes of all levels of difficulty! Popular sectors are the south face with its solid limestone and the west summit. In addition to numerous short sport climbing routes, there are also multi-pitch tours with some very challenging sections. Take a look at the website to find the best tour for your interests – you’re sure to find something here.
What makes the Kampenwand so special is its contrast: if you look north, you will see Lake Chiemsee (the “Bavarian Sea”) with its islands Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee right at your feet. If you look south, you will see the entire chain of the Central Alps with the Hohe Tauern.