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Do you want to visit the coolest mountain hut in Bavaria, perched between two peaks? Read this post for how to hike up Tegernseer Hütte.
Nestled up high in the Kreuth region of the Bavarian Alps, Tegernseer Hütte is one of the most incredible mountain huts in Germany. While the hike is not easy, it is definitely doable and a popular choice among locals looking for a fun day trip. The hike starts with quite a climb, but upon reaching the valley on top, hikers are instantly rewarded with views over all the surrounding mountains. In the end, when you reach the top, you are rewarded with views of the Tegernseer Hütte located between two peaks. It definitely feels like you are at one of the most remote locations here.
The Tegernseer Hütte in the Bavarian Alps is a popular spot to visit in Bavaria. While locals are very much aware of this beautiful place, many travelers don’t know that it exists! Therefore, in this guide, you will be able to find everything you need to know about the Tegernseer Hütte hiking trail. I will start by answering some frequently asked questions. Then I will explain how to get to the start of the hiking trail, both by car and public transportation. Additionally, I will also share when the best time to visit is and what you should wear/ bring on the hike. To make your hiking experience as seamless as possible, I will share a map of the trail, as well as a detailed hiking guide. Lastly, I will also share where to stay while hiking up to the Tegernseer Hütte.
FAQs about Tegernseer Hütte
Where is Tegernseer Hütte located?
The Tegernseer Hütte is located in Kreuth, a region found in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. More specifically, as the name may suggest, it also lies close to Lake Tegernsee. The mountain hut itself lies isolated between the peaks of Roßstein and Buchstein. The only way hikers can reach the hut is through the trail, so you should be in moderate fitness to visit this hut.
Can you stay overnight at Tegernseer Hütte?
Yes, you can definitely stay overnight at Tegernseer Hütte. The hut is usually open from the second weekend in May until the first weekend in November. Since the hut can accomodate a maximum of 30 people I advise you to book your accommodation well in advance. You can either call or send an email to reserve a room. Click here for more information on the Tegernseer Hütte and how to book a stay.
This post is all about how to hike to Tegernseer Hütte – Bavaria’s coolest mountain hut.
Visiting Tegernseer Hütte – Important Information
Location: Kreuth, Bavaria Germany.
Elevation: The hut lies at 1,650 meters elevation.
Important Note: If you would like to stay the night at the hut make sure the hut is open, and reserve your room in advance. This hut is not a luxurious stay, considering its remote location. Therefore, you should not be expecting anything fancy. That being said, the hut is powered by solar panels and has a rainwater cistern with a disinfection system. Additionally, if you have a drone with you, please make sure to ask the hut workers for permission before flying here.
How to get to Tegernseer Hütte:
Arriving by car:
The easiest way to get to the starting point of the hike up to Tegernseer Hütte is by car. There is a large parking lot at the start of the hike called “Wanderparkplatz Ross – und Buchstein” and it is located just off the main road going towards Lake Tegernsee. It will take you an hour to reach the parking lot if you are coming from Garmisch-Partnekirchen in Bavaria. Otherwise, this spot is also often visited by day-trippers in Munich since the drive is only around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Parking costs here vary, but if you stay for longer than 3 hours then it will cost 5 euros. The hike itself takes around 2 hours each way so plan the parking for at least 4-5 hours.
Important note: The parking machine only takes coins, so make sure to have enough on you.
Arriving by public transportation:
If you want to arrive by public transportation then the easiest way is from Munich. This route will take you around 2 and a half hours so make sure to leave the city as early as possible to avoid the crowds and heat. While you may be able to find faster routes, it appears the easiest route is the following:
- Start at Munich Hauptbahnhof (central station) and take the bus “BRB RB55 (77319)” in the direction of Bayrischzell.
- Get off after around 40 minutes (6 stops) at “Miesbach”.
- Walk to the bus stop called “Bahnhof, Miesbach” and take but number “9554” towards Bahnhof, Tegernsee.
- Make sure to stay onboard the bus when it passes “Banhof, Tegernsee” and get off after around an hour and 10 minutes in total at the bus stop called “Tegernseer Hütte Bushst., Kreuth”
While the bus ride itself is only 2 hours in total, the two buses are not always in sync and therefore waiting times at Miesbach can be up to 30 minutes.
When to Visit Tegernseer Hütte
It is important to note that the Tegernseer Hütte is not open all year round. The hut is typically open from the second weekend in May until the first weekend of November. You can always call them during this time to make sure that the hut is open by calling: +49 175 4115813. However, if you need to get in contact outside of the opening season, then you can also send them an email at: [email protected].
While this time frame leaves you with plenty of opportunity to visit this spectacular hut, I must warn you that this is a popular day trip from Munich, so you might have a traffic jam on the trail. In Bavaria, the locals get a summer holiday at the end of July. Therefore, I would recommend visiting up until mid-July and again in September. You will probably also be better off avoiding hiking up here on the weekends. We visited on a weekday in mid-July and we did not encounter many people on the trail or at the hut.
The best time of day to start the hike is in the late morning. This way you will be able to enjoy a nice lunch with an incredible view from the hut, while still having plenty of time to hike back down before it gets dark.
What to Wear on the Hike
The hike up to Tegernseer Hütte is not for complete beginners, so below is a list of items to make sure to bring with you on the hike.
Clothing Essentials:
Hiking pants: Ideally bring hiking pants that are comfortable to walk in and that can be made into long shorts, in case it gets warm.
Short-sleeved Dri-fit shirt: Since this hike is best suited for the summer and early fall time, I recommend starting with a short-sleeved shirt to avoid overheating. If you easily get cold, make sure also to bring a long-sleeved jacket you can pair over this.
Rain Jacket: Even if the weather report says it will be sunny, make sure to bring a rain jacket just in case! If you have rain pants, then it could be a great idea to bring them as well.
Hiking shoes: Proper hiking shoes are a must when hiking up to Tegernseer Hütte. The trail is sometimes unstable and the extra grip these shoes provide will definitely come in handy. In addition, the last stretch does include a bit of climbing so sneakers here are very irresponsible. There have been countless rescues on this trail due to tourists not wearing the proper attire, so please make sure to be dressed accordingly.
General Essentials:
Hiking poles: While these are not a must, they are highly recommended. If you do not have a high fitness level, I urge you to bring hiking poles to help you on the trail. Otherwise, these could be a great idea for all hikers. Not only can they give you a little support on the ascent, but they come in extra handy during the descent for stabilization and to reduce the stress put on your knees.
Water: Make sure to bring enough water! This hike is long and there is nowhere to refill water on the trail. Aim to bring at least 3-4 liters of water per person.
Food: While there is a restaurant open at the hut on top, I still recommend bringing some snacks just in case as you do not want to have low blood sugar on the trail. In addition, due to the remote location of the hut, the food here is very simple. I believe that there is one vegetarian option and no vegan one. Therefore, if you have dietary constraints, please make sure to bring proper food with you so you can continue the hike down.
Towel: A dri-fit towel is always a good idea to carry with you, if you want to sit down on a wet surface without getting your pants wet or just to have in case something happens.
Rain cover for your bag: If it starts to rain, in some parts of the trail there is nowhere to hide and find cover. Therefore, I highly recommend bringing a rain cover for your bag to protect your valuables. Even if the weather forecast looks good, the weather in the Alps can change completely in as little as 10 minutes.
Hiking Details
Before going into the detailed hiking trail to reach Tegernseer Hütte, I have listed some general statistics regarding the trail. In addition, you can find an interactive map with different interest points and the marked trail for your use on the hike. Please note that this map does not work offline, so you can only access it while you have service.
Distance: ~ 12 km in total.
Difficulty: Medium
Time needed: 4 – 6 hours. It takes on average 2-2:30 hours to reach the hut, so 4 hours in total for hiking and then extra time for spending at the top.
Elevation gain: ~ 860 meters
Type of trail: Out-and-back (same trail)
Hiking Directions to Tegernseer Hütte – The Coolest Mountain Hut in Germany
(step-by-step guide)
Wanderparkplatz Ross- und Buchstein to Sonnberg Alm
As previously mentioned, the parking lot is where the hike starts. At the far end of the parking lot, you will see some stairs and a yellow sign showing the way to Tegernseer Hütte. It will mention Sonnberg Alm on this sign as well so you will know that you are on the right path. This section of the trail takes around 1 and a half hours. It will be around 2.5-3 km to reach here and you should expect an elevation gain of roughly 620 meters in this section.
This part of the trail essentially means climbing wooden and natural stairs up the mountain until you see the Sonnberg Alm. Be prepared to start the climb from the very beginning of this trail, so take some breaks along the way. This means that most of the elevation gain is in this part of the trail before it evens out at the top of the valley. You will be able to very clearly identify the hut once you reach it.
Once you reach the Sonnberg Alm, you will be able to easily find the eagle’s nest on which the Tegernseer Hütte is located.
Sonnberg Alm to Tegernseer Hütte
There will technically be a small landmark on the route in between these two stops, but since it is unmarked on maps I will incorporate it here. From Sonnberg Alm you will see a sign pointing towards the Tegernseer Hütte, but you will also be able to easily locate it. Continue on the main trail for around 1 km until you reach a large rock and a crossroads in the path. This will mark two separate trail options to reach the top. You have an elevation gain of around 200 meters in this last stretch to the top.
Option 1: Easier but longer
This trail is marked red and follows a route that goes around the mountain and then has an easier climb to the top to reach the hut. This route will be slightly longer (45 minutes) but is more suited for beginners.
Option 2: Harder but shorter
This trail is marked black and requires some climbing so you should be a confident hiker. You do not need any special equipment for this trail as there are ropes to help you along the way. However, you should be strong and fit if you want to choose this option. This route will be shorter (25-30 minutes) but harder.
My recommendation:
If you are fit for both trails I suggest that you take the red route to begin with, as it offers some stunning views on the other side of the mountain you will miss by taking the black trail. Then, on your way down, I suggest you take the black route to try out the more extreme (and arguably more fun) route for your descent.
At the Tegernseer Hütte
Once you reach the Tegernseer Hütte, you have the option to climb an extra 100 meters to the peak of the Roßstein mountain. From here you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the hut nestled in between the peaks and surrounded by stunning views. This view is a must and worth the last little scramble!
Additionally, make sure to enjoy a nice cold beer and meal at the hut once you reach the top. Not only is it a great way to reward yourself, but it also helps to support and maintain the hut for years to come.
Once you are ready to go down, you can either take the opposite route of how you came up that last stretch, or take the exact route down to the crossroads. Then just continue the same path down to the car park. Expect the descent to take around 1:30 – 2 hours depending on your speed.
Where to Stay When Visiting Tegernseer Hütte
As I have previously mentioned, this hike is a popular day trip choice by many locals living in Munich. Therefore, you can easily base yourself in Munich if you would like to visit. While the easiest way to arrive at the starting point is by car, I have also outlined the public transport route from Munich to the start of the Tegernseer Hütte mountain hut hike above.
Best mid-range hotel: Hotel MIO by AMANO
Best luxury hotel: Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
If you are planning on exploring the beautiful nature of Bavaria I would personally recommend basing yourself in the charming ski village called Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is such a beautiful town and is close to so many nearby hikes and attractions. I recommend renting a car so that it is just an hour’s drive to reach the starting point of this hike.
Best mid-range hotel: Werdenfelserei
Best luxury hotel: Obermühle 4*S Boutique Resort
I hope you found this Tegernseer Hütte hiking guide helpful! This is truly such a cool hut, surrounded by stunning landscapes so I highly recommend adding this hike to your Bavaria bucket list!
