Map
View from Trischübel toward Wimbachgries

Hike to Wimbachgrieshütte

  • Hiking route
  • Hiking
  • 5:30 h
  • 17,0 km
  • 699 hm

Discover the Wimbachtal valley on a hike to Wimbachgrieshütte, passing historic Wimbachschloss and spectacular natural scenery along the way.

Wimbachtal offers a truly unique experience in nature. While the neighboring valley filled with water to form Königssee, an immense stream of scree developed here. The dolomite rock of the Watzmann and Hochkalter massifs gradually weathers into what is known locally as “Gries.” These fragments of rock cover the valley floor in a massive layer, stretching between the towering rock faces like a vast sloping plain. When the snow melts or heavy rain falls, streams form on the surface and slowly carry the rock farther down the valley. Pioneer plants take root along the edges—though usually only temporarily.

After passing through the impressive gorge at the entrance to the valley, you continue on a moderately steep but steady climb. Along the way, you pass Wimbachschloss, the former hunting lodge of the Bavarian kings, before finally reaching Wimbachgrieshütte. The broad gravel trails take you up a total of 700 vertical meters.

Route details

  • Difficulty
    intermediate
  • Start point

    Wimbachbrücke, Ramsau

  • Destination

    Wimbachbrücke, Ramsau

    Duration5:30 h
    Distance17,0 km
    Ascent699 hm
    Descent699 hm

    Fitness level4/6
    Difficulty2/6
    Landscape6/6
    Experience4/6

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

You can only hike through Wimbachklamm gorge on the outbound route from Wimbachbrücke toward Wimbachtal. On your return from Wimbachtal to Wimbachbrücke, the gorge is not accessible.

Directions

From the Wimbachbrücke bus stop or parking lot, first follow the paved path to Wimbachlehen. Here, you leave the pavement behind and continue on a gravel trail. Hiking Trail 411/421 initially runs almost level until you reach a junction. Turn left to enter the Wimbachklamm gorge, which charges an admission fee—don’t miss this impressive natural experience. Alternatively, stay on the main trail, tackle a steep section, and bypass the gorge above. The two routes meet again at the end of the gorge, and you continue uphill along Wimbach. When you reach a bridge, stay on your trail and do not cross it, as the path on the other side ends in a dead end. The narrow valley now begins to widen, revealing the vast scree fields of Wimbachgries ahead.

A pleasant, steady climb takes you mostly along the right side of the valley to Wimbachschloss. From the Wimbachschloss mountain restaurant, cross the scree field below Schlossgraben before entering a light mountain forest. At an elevation of 1,100 meters, one of the highlights of the hike awaits: you cross the vast scree flow of Wimbachgries, which is up to 300 meters wide. From here, continue along the left side of Wimbachtal. The varied trail leads partly through forest and finally across open terrain until you reach Wimbachgrieshütte at 1,327 meters.

Along the hike

  • Wimbachschloss

    Ramsau
    • Open today

  • Wimbachgrieshütte

    Ramsau
    • Closed now