Hirschwieskopf Trail

The Hirschwieskopf Trail is a roughly 14.9-mile (23.9 km) out-and-back from Wimbachbrücke, through Wimbachgries and over Trischübel to the summit, then back the same way. Plan on about nine hours and roughly 4,900 feet (1,500 m) of climbing. This is a strong-hiker day: the approach is long, the steepest ground comes late, and the payoff is a high meadow with the Watzmann’s south face and a wide sweep of the surrounding ranges.

From Wimbachbrücke, follow the Wimbachklamm signs to the gorge entrance, then stay on the broad gravel route into the valley; the gorge itself is a separate detour and isn’t included here. The first miles rise gently through forest and open gravel, past Wimbachschloss and deeper into the Wimbachgries. That easy grade is deceptive: it’s a long way before the main climb begins. Wimbachschloss and Wimbachgrieshütte are useful food stops on the route when they’re open, but both are seasonal, so check their operating dates before relying on them.

Beyond Wimbachgrieshütte, the path crosses the wide gravel bed, then narrows to rocky, rooty switchbacks. Look back as you climb; the view opens over the valley you’ve just walked. The final roughly 600 meters to Trischübel gains a little over 200 meters and has a steep, exposed step secured with about 25 meters of cable and ten footholds. Take this section slowly and only continue if you’re sure-footed and comfortable with exposure. At the pass junction, turn left for Hirschwieskopf; the other direction leads toward Hundstod and Ingolstädter Haus.

Past a small service hut at about 1,800 meters, the trail zigzags over steep alpine grass and rock. A smaller rise can look like the top; the route gets easier only when you reach the true summit plateau and its cross. From there, the panorama takes in Watzmann’s south face, Königssee and St. Bartholomä, Steinernes Meer, Hochkalter, Hundstod and the Wimbachgries below. For a photo that shows the scale of the climb, frame the meadow beneath the Watzmann wall. Chamois and marmots have been reported on the upper slopes, but don’t count on a sighting.

The pale Wimbachgries is a debris stream rather than an ordinary riverbed. It’s made of Ramsau dolomite that breaks down into coarse fragments, and the gravel deposit reaches hundreds of meters deep. That helps explain the striking contrast between the broad, light-colored valley floor and the dark, steep walls around it.

Retrace the route to Wimbachbrücke; don’t mistake the separate descent toward St. Bartholomä for part of this hike, since it’s a different, exposed Watzmann circuit with boat logistics. The public car park is at Wimbachbrücke by the Wimbachklamm entrance; parking is paid. Dogs must stay leashed in the national park, but the exposed cable step is specifically unsuitable for them.