Rinnkendlsteig

Start the tour with a boat ride across Lake Königssee to St. Bartholomä. From St. Bartholomä, follow the marked Alpine Club trail no. 443 to the right past the pilgrimage church, then continue northwest along the level lakeshore. Just beyond a hut in an area known as Eiswinkel, Rinnkendlsteig branches off to the left into the forest.

Climb numerous switchbacks through mixed forest on the steep slopes of Kleiner Watzmann. Even within the forest, you’ll encounter a short section equipped with a fixed cable. After leaving the forest, several exposed sections equipped with fixed cables and metal footholds climb for about 100 meters of elevation gain. At the end of a broad gully, the route turns right and leads to a small shoulder. From here, a traverse, partly descending again, takes you into a narrow gully known as Rinnkendl. Follow it uphill to the forested Kührointalm plateau at 1,325 meters. Shortly before reaching the plateau, a trail branches off to the right toward Archenkanzel. This spectacular viewpoint is just a ten-minute walk away and offers impressive views down to Lake Königssee. Afterward, first follow a forest road and then a hiking trail across a wooded ridge to Kührointhütte, where you can stop for food and refreshments.

For the descent, either take the direct route via the section known as Kling back to Lake Königssee or continue through the forest to Grünsteinhütte and descend from there to Königssee.