Reiter Alm

A high plateau between Berchtesgaden and the Salzburg Saalach valley

Rising to the west of the Berchtesgaden valley, the mighty massif of Reiter Alm—also known as Reiter Alpe—dominates the landscape. Its peaks soar up to 2,286 meters into the sky. The eastern part of the range lies within Berchtesgaden National Park, while the northern section is home to a mountain training area used by alpine troops.

On the high plateau, surrounded by traditional alpine huts, you’ll find Neue Traunsteiner Hütte—your ideal base for mountain hikes and alpine experiences on Reiter Alm.

Neue Traunsteiner Hütte

Neue Traunsteiner Hütte—also known as Karl Merkenschlager Haus—sits at 1,560 meters right in the heart of Reiter Alm. It’s the perfect base for mountain hikes across the massif.

Reiter Alm hut hike

Spend two unforgettable alpine days on Reiter Alm: hike up to Neue Traunsteiner Hütte via Schaflsteig, then descend the next day along Wachterlsteig back into the valley.

Experience nature at Reiter Alm

  • Bartgeier Wally kreist über dem Klausbachtal

    Bartgeier

Peaks of the Reiter Alm massif

The long ascent will test your limits—reaching the summits of Reiter Alm in a single day requires excellent fitness. Stay overnight at Neue Traunsteiner Hütte, and a wide range of mountain hikes and alpine experiences opens up to you. The hut’s closest peaks are Großer Weitschartenkopf (1,979 meters) and Großer Bruder (1,864 meters), both of which you can reach fairly quickly from the hut. Via marked trails, you can reach more notable summits:

  • Stadelhorn (2,286 meters)
  • Wagendrischlhorn (2,251 meters)
  • Großes Häuselhorn (2,284 meters)
  • Schottmalhorn (2,045 meters)
  • Edelweißlahner (1,953 meters)

Ascent to Reiter Alm

The easiest way up to Reiter Alm is via Wachterlsteig from Ramsau or via Schrecksattel from Oberjettenberg to Neue Traunsteiner Hütte. From Reit in Austria, you can hike up along the Alpasteig. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, start in the Klausbach Valley and follow Böslsteig—or tackle the very demanding Schaflsteig.

Experienced and well-conditioned ski mountaineers can also ascend Reiter Alm in winter, typically via Schrecksattel. On skis, you can continue to Weitschartenkopf or Wagendrischlhorn—and, with good snow conditions, even to Großes Häuselhorn.