A multi-peak round trip to the Wendelstein

If you are a local to the Bavarian Alps, the Wendelstein is a classic. It is one of the higher mountains in the Bayrischzell region.

I’ve lost count with all the times I have summit the Wendelstein. So unattractive as it seemed, this is one of the mountains I run up to whenever I ran out of ideas. I was on my skis when I first went up here. In the winter you can take a cable car up and experience the first drop from the station into a steep black pist ride. It was my first time on backcountry skis! So imagined the fright I had! Since then, I came back often in different seasons.

The Wendelstein is 1838m high, and there’s cable car to the summit. When you don’t use it, the trial up is steep, and it gives a quick tour for (not only) fitness desperados in backcountry ski or a hike if you’re looking for a goal away from the touristy regions around  Tegernsee Lake in summer.

An appealing circuit worth highlighting is the scenic tour that meanders past three smaller summits after reaching the summit of Wendelstein. Our journey began at the bustling parking area, a popular spot, especially for motorbike enthusiasts on sunny weekends. As we departed, the International Youth Hostel stood to our right, and we embarked on a path that wound through a charming forest, eventually leading us to a traditional Alm.

Upon reaching the first junction, we followed the marked trail leading towards Wendelstein. The final 400 meters in elevation to the summit tend to be quite crowded on weekends and often hidden in a veil of clouds. We paused for a well-deserved break and enjoyed a delightful snack of homemade flapjacks.

We descended down the northern side, a section that can be slippery when icy. Stone steps guided us to a junction, where we turned right, and then took the first left to head towards Larcherspitz at 1724 meters. The path presented us with some challenging ups and downs, eventually bringing us to Wildalpjoch at 1720 meters, where we enjoyed an extended rest.

Our journey concluded with a visit to Käserwand at 1680 meters, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains in the region.

The way back had lovely views to the Kaiser to the left. You reach a tarred road at some point and continue down until a bigger junction where you get back on the same track you took while ascending.