Family Hike with a View of the Watzmann
Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

Kneifelspitze

Hike up Berchtesgaden's small local mountain
  • Hiking route
  • Hiking
  • 3:00 h
  • 6,0 km
  • 425 hm

A hike up Kneifelspitze is a must on any vacation in Berchtesgaden. Thanks to its stand-alone location, the summit rewards you with unique panoramic views of Watzmann and the other mountains surrounding the Berchtesgaden valley.

From the Maria Gern pilgrimage church, hike along the Kneifelspitzweg trail to the hamlet of Lauch. There, turn left and walk around the hamlet. After passing through a wooded area, you’ll ascend a steep, zigzagging trail to the 1,188-meter summit of Kneifelspitze. At the “Paulshütte” mountain restaurant, you’ll enjoy a relaxing break.

After refueling and enjoying the magnificent view from Berchtesgaden’s local mountain over the town and Watzmann, you’ll hike back to Maria Gern along the well-known trail.

Route details

  • Difficulty
    easy
  • Start point

    Maria Gern pilgrimage church

  • Destination

    Paulshütte, Kneifelspitze

    Duration3:00 h
    Distance6,0 km
    Ascent425 hm
    Descent433 hm

    Fitness level2/6
    Difficulty1/6
    Landscape5/6
    Experience3/6

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

Caution: The trail is very steep in places!

Directions

In Maria Gern, follow the marked Alpine Club Trail 15, Kneifelspitzweg, steeply uphill between the pilgrimage church and Gasthaus Maria Gern to the parking lot below Lauchlehen. At the first switchback, you can turn right onto the hiking trail to Marxenhöhe. The roughly ten-minute detour is well worth it: From the viewpoint, you can enjoy fantastic views across the Berchtesgaden valley.

Passing farmhouses, hike uphill along the left edge of the meadow and into the forest. At an elevation of 935 meters, keep left where the trail joins the wide path and follow it to the end. From there, climb steep switchbacks until you meet the access road coming up from Metzenleitenlehen. Follow this road to the left to reach Berggaststätte Paulshütte and the summit of Kneifelspitze.

  • Fall at Marxenhöhe
    Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden

    Marxenhöhe

    Berchtesgaden
    • Open at all times