Hike to Grünstein from Hammerstiel

From the summit of Grünstein, you’ll enjoy almost the same view across the Berchtesgaden valley as from Watzmann, which towers 1,400 meters higher—and on a much easier hike. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the summit, where spectacular views await: To the south, Watzmannkar and its “children” rise before you in all their glory, while Königssee shimmers far below. Just below the summit, Grünsteinhütte is the perfect place to stop for a well-earned break.

Starting at the Hammerstiel parking lot in Schönau, you climb the densely forested ridge along the rocky slopes at the foot of Watzmann. Alternatively, take the trail from the bobsled and luge track at Königssee. The ascent from Hammerstiel is marked as a cardiovascular fitness test hike: Every 100 vertical meters, a sign tells you how far you’ve climbed and how much of the ascent still lies ahead. In total, you’ll climb 534 vertical meters at an average grade of 19.8 percent. If you wear a fitness tracker, you can keep an eye on your heart rate as you climb.