Schildenstein 1613m – hiking the Wolfsschlucht

It was a hot summer. Let me change that.. it is a hot summer. In fact, it is a great summer, one we haven’t had in a long time. Hot, hot, hot. It was not the first time I hiked the trial to Schildenstein, but I thought that after two decades, I could do this again and make it a tiny trial run. The nice thing about this hike is the ascend is almost always in the shade, hidden under the trees which yet offers you always a view away from tossing water that flows from the Wolfsschlucht and the crowds in it.

It is however important to start off at the first bigger Parking lot that is fee based just after Wildbad Kreuth. 3 EUR allows you to park your vehicle for the whole day, 2 EUR for 3 hours and 1 EUR for getting out of the car and looking at the signs ;-) (Prices: 08.2013). Cross the bridge and continue on a roadway after the sign post that says Siebenhütte / Schildenstein 3,5 hr, that leads you to the Gasthaus Altes Bad or the Bildungszentrum within 10 mins. Ignore the other signs to the right of the bridge which will also lead to the Siebenhütte. Follow the K8 trial and take the “Kiem Pauli Weg“, sign posted a little after Gasthaus Altes Bad . The Siebenhütte is a 30 min walk and has a cosy little “Biergarten” to take in a snack and quench your thirst. Passing by, continue on the signs that leads you to “Schildenstein – Über die Wolfsschlucht” and follow the way with small ascends through the valley until you reach the remarkable little Waterfall (*cough ) where you could cool off your toes for the very last time.

Lets go Babe

Take the trial right next to the waterfall that leads you to a very steep ascend, sometimes secured with steel ropes at exposed areas and follow this until you reach the ridge. Every now and then you will have fantastic views through the little Gorge and looking out to Leonhardistein as well as the famous Roß-und Buchstein peaks (both with climbing routes!). Reaching this point at the ridge, you would have also climbed the steepest part of the trial. A whole packet of tissue paper didn’t help the sweat much, but I was glad I had technical wear on my body, which kept me comfortable even when drenched.  Keep then right and head towards the summit that you see so close, yet so far. The way takes you through an easier path with little ups and downs, decorated with little Enzian flowers, for the next 20 mins before you make the final steep ascend to the summit. There was absolutely nobody on the hill, except me and the cows that laid on the grass ignoring the heat and the zillion flies that flew around their noses. By this time, these beasts (the flies) came over to me too, enjoying every drop of the pespiration pressed out from my pores. How had I wished I had a tail to swisssh them all off. To the left, you will notice the impressive Guffert massive, and made me think back of the time, when we topped this summit. The way up to the top is hot, steep, stony, but never dangerous or too exposed. You will be rewarded with fantastic views to the Bavarian Alps, that goes out even to the Achensee lake in Tirol and its wonderful blue waters.

Please don’t ask, don’t even think of asking!

The short break at the summit left me without a single drop of water, at 34°c and no base for refreshments on the return journey, it felt very much like trouble. On the way down the summit, I met 3 youngs guys who asked me if the summit was far off and if there was shade. My reply,” If you’re thin enough to hide behind the summit cross, yes, there is shade”. I was cruel, but speaking the truth. The trial led further down to the Gaißalm and I had hoped for a glass of water. Reaching the Gaißalm, a big sign was nailed up outside “PRIVAT – Hier gibts nix!” which meant “Private hut – there’s nothing here for you to eat or drink, so don’t ask”. OK, my hopes perished as I stared at the green water filled with algae for the grazing cows in front of the alpine pasture. I knew that the Königsalm was opened, but that’s 20 mins back and just too far away now. No signs of rivers, streams or fountains nearby. Disappointed and thirsty, my feet burning from the heat in my Sticky Beast Approach shoes, I continued. The path lead around a little hill and descended right down through the forest back to the parking lot. 1,5 hours passed. I was dehydrated. It made a small loop over a wooden bridge where the “Herzögliche Fischzucht” lies on a beautiful setting in front of their fish farming lakes and offering guests refreshments and fishy snacks. But it was closed. It was a monday, or, too late. I returned to the bridge, cooled off in the river below it and then made my way back to the car when the thunderstorm started. Great!  It was so hot that the rain evaporated immediately.

Glad to be back in my car, tired, thirsty and sweaty, it was the end of a wonderful day alone in the Bavarian alps, which definately had a charm of its own. Oh yes, I found my reward some 10km away, 20 minutes later. (See picture below) .

Thanks to the article and also his review of the Book “Männertouren – 30 Wandertouren für echten Kerle” from Uli, describing the beginning of the journey to the Wolfsschlucht, which gave me the inspiration to repeat this trial on a hot summer day. OK, so now “ich bin ein echter Kerl”. No? :)

Facts and Data

Notes: You should be good in your footing and have no fear of heights to do this. However, for those of you who has an abundance in alpine experience, the crossings are comfortable. The ascend is great since it’s almost always in the shade until you reach the ridge. Best to start early in the morning to avoid the heat in the afternoon in high summer. Please do bring sufficient Water along with you, as there are no base points along the way (especially in the latter part) unless you make a detour to Königsalm.

Duration: 4.5 – 5 hrs in total
Ascend: Parking – Siebenhütten 30 mins, Siebehnhütten- Schildenstein über Wolfsschlucht 2.5 hrs
Descend: Summit – Gaißalm – Parking Wildbad Kreuth 1.5 -2 hours (depending on where you park)

Elevation gain: 820m

Food and Refreshments:

• Siebenhütten Gastwirtschaft (which is actually right in the beginning of the hike).
• Not on the way but with a 15-20 min detour:

1. Blaubergalm (try their Bio cheese),
2. Königsalm which lays left of the Gaißalm.

• Gasthaus Altes Bad has a lovely Biergarten outside right next to a flowing medicinal water spring, with exclusive Menus and Prices. Drive up and park when you dine there.
• Herzögliche Fischzucht with products like smoked Trout and Char (Saibling) from their fish farm. Situated 10 mins from the main parking lot and just below the Bildungszentrum.

Getting there:
With the car: From Munich, take the A8 direction Salzburg and exit at Holzkirchen. Follow the signs to Tegernsee. In Gmund, just after the steep hill down to the traffic light, turn right to Bad Wiessee and Kreuth. Just after Kreuth turn left into the first bigger signpost for Parking.

Hike and Trial Map: Kompasskarte 8 – Tegernsee, Schliersee, Wendelstein, Gipfelziele from Heinz Hainewinkel, Brückmann München.