At Seeleinsee

Schneibsteinhaus - Unterer Hirschenlauf - Gotzenalm

Berchtesgaden Summit Trail: Stage 1b
  • Mountain Hike
  • Mountaineering
  • 7:00 h
  • 11,9 km
  • 1015 hm

Stage 1b of the Berchtesgaden Summit Trail begins at Schneibsteinhaus and takes you past the Kleine Reibn and Seeleinsee along the lower Hirschenlauf up to Gotzenalm.

You’ll start at the Schneibsteinhaus and hike up to the 2,276-meter-high Schneibstein. It’s considered the easiest 2,000-meter peak to climb in the Berchtesgaden Mountains. From its high plateau, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view. On the Kleine Reibn trail, you’ll descend to Seeleinsee, a small mountain lake. Feel like an ice-cold dip? Then take the plunge into Seeleinsee. Shortly after the lake, the trail branches off to the right into the Stiergraben toward the Priesbergalmen. Keep an eye out for the turnoff to the lower Hirschenlauf. Follow the narrow path—which features wooden steps and some secured sections—to reach the forest road, and follow it to the high plateau of Gotzenalm.

Route details

  • Difficulty
    hard
  • Start point

    Schneibsteinhaus

  • Destination

    Gotzenalm

    Duration7:00 h
    Distance11,9 km
    Ascent1015 hm
    Descent987 hm

    Fitness level6/6
    Difficulty3/6
    Landscape6/6
    Experience6/6

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Bring plenty to drink, as there are no places to stop for food or refreshments until you reach Gotzenalm.

Directions

From Schneibsteinhaus, follow the signs to the 2,276-meter summit of Schneibstein (Trail No. 416). Schneibstein is considered the easiest 2,000-meter peak to climb in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Once at the top, enjoy panoramic views of Dachstein, Steinernes Meer, and the Berchtesgaden Alps. Then follow the trail markers and signs toward Seeleinsee / Kleine Reibn. The trail descends steadily until you reach Seeleinsee, a small mountain lake.

Shortly after the lake, turn right onto Trail No. 497 into Stiergraben and descend on a narrow mountain trail until just before Priesbergalm. In the lower section of Stiergraben, turn left onto the lower Hirschenlauf (Trail No. 495). Follow narrow trails, wooden steps, and sections secured with cables until you reach the forest road. From there, follow the signs to Gotzenalm (Trail No. 493). The road climbs steeply to the high plateau of Gotzenalm, where you’ll reach the destination of today’s stage.

The Berchtesgaden Summit Trail

Six stages of summit highs and mountain hut breaks

Are you fit, experienced in the mountains, comfortable with heights, and at home on rocky terrain? Then the challenging Berchtesgaden Summit Trail is for you. Between rugged peaks and sweeping views, the route takes you through the Berchtesgaden mountains and up to their summits.

  • Hike to the Schneibstein
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Schneibsteinhaus - Wasseralm

    • 5:15 h
    • 12,6 km
    • 1039 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • At Seeleinsee

    Schneibsteinhaus - Unterer Hirschenlauf - Gotzenalm

    • 7:00 h
    • 11,9 km
    • 1015 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • Berchtesgaden & Bad Reichenhall

    Wasseralm - Niederbrunnsulzen - Kärlingerhaus

    • 6:00 h
    • 10,1 km
    • 1015 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • Kärlinger House on Lake Funtensee
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Gotzenalm - Wasseralm - Kärlingerhaus

    • 7:30 h
    • 17,3 km
    • 1027 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • Descent from the Hundstodgatterl to the Trischübel
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Kärlingerhaus - Hundstodgatterl - Wimbachbrücke

    • 10:30 h
    • 18,7 km
    • 764 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • Schärtenspitze, Eisboden Notch
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Wimbachbrücke - Eisbodenscharte - Hintersee

    • 8:00 h
    • 14,5 km
    • 1545 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • At the Reiter Alm
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Hintersee - Traunsteiner Hütte - Wachterl

    • 8:30 h
    • 15,7 km
    • 1449 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
  • The Stone Agnes
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Wachterl - Karkopf - Steinerne Agnes - Hallthurm

    • 8:00 h
    • 17,5 km
    • 1133 hm
    • Mountain Hike
    • Mountaineering
Berchtesgadener Gipfelweg