Starting at Königssee, this hut-to-hut hike takes you deep into the spectacular mountain landscape of Steinernes Meer. Spend the nights at Kärlingerhaus and Ingolstädterhaus before continuing to Hirschbichl or Wimbachgries.
Start your hike with a boat ride across Königssee to St. Bartholomä. Follow the historic pilgrimage trail for about two kilometers along the lakeshore before climbing through the forest, with views of Königssee and Obersee along the way. Pass Schrainbach Waterfall and beautifully situated Schrainbachalm before reaching the notorious Saugasse. Here, you tackle 36 switchbacks and 400 vertical meters. Once you’ve mastered this key section, the trail climbs more gently to Kärlingerhaus at Funtensee. This is where Steinernes Meer begins—a rugged, inhospitable karst plateau about 13 kilometers long and five kilometers wide, with almost no surface water. Instead of following the old smugglers’ trails south, you head west to Ingolstädterhaus, where you’ll spend the night.
From Ingolstädterhaus, Hirschbichl is an enjoyable half-day hike. You can either make an early-morning detour to Großer Hundstod or visit Kallbrunnalm along the way. Here, 26 traditional shingle-roofed alpine huts are scattered across the mountain meadows.
Alternatively, descend from Ingolstädterhaus via Hundstodgatterl into Wimbachgries.
