Hammerstiel - Kuhroint Alm - Achenkanzel

This hike leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints over Lake Königssee and deep into the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park at the foot of the Watzmann East Face. The route starts at the Hammerstiel parking lot. From the starting point, the path leads steadily uphill, initially via wide forest roads and later along narrower mountain trails through dense mixed mountain forests. A special highlight is the Kuhroint Alm (1,420 m), situated on a wide plateau directly beneath the massive rock precipices of the Watzmann. From there, it is just a short, nearly level detour to the Archenkanzel, an exposed rocky outcrop offering a vertical bird's-eye view of the emerald-green Königssee and the St. Bartholomä peninsula. On the alpine meadows around the hut, marmots can often be spotted, while chamois are frequently seen on the steep cliffs above. Since the tour covers over 700 meters in elevation and the paths to the Archenkanzel can be root-filled and stony, sturdy boots with a grippy sole and good physical fitness are absolutely essential.