Best strenuous trails in Germany

Popular, adventurous hiking trail with via ferrata near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria. This classic ascent to the Zugspitze (2,962 m / 9,718 ft) through the Höllental valley is an extensive, high-alpine undertaking that requires technical equipment and expert knowledge. Hikers must carry crampons, an ice axe, a via ferrata set and a helmet and be proficient in their use, as the route presents a combination of hazards. The route leads through the dramatic Höllental Gorge before crossing the...

Popular, panoramic hiking trail in the Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria. Caution: Only for experienced mountaineers: The Watzmann crossing is partly high alpine. This multi-peak ridge route requires excellent physical condition and the use of a helmet and climbing harness/rope for safety due to the high exposure and danger of falling rocks. The challenging traverse leads over Hocheck, Mittelspitze (2,713 m / 8,901 ft) and Südspitze and includes long, sustained climbing passages in UIAA...

Demanding hike to the Kleiner Jenner via Laxersteig. The Laxersteig is a challenging, highly exposed via ferrata that requires climbing experience and a complete via ferrata set and helmet. This route, which is rated C/D in the most difficult passages, is the tough complement to the easier Schützensteig and is not suitable for beginners. The climb features strenuous, steep and exposed passages over smooth rock and leads to the summit of the Kleiner Jenner (1,694 m / 5,558 ft) with fantastic...

This route is a true Allgäu classic and leads from the valley up to the rugged summit of the Rubihorn 1,957m. Safety equipment, including a via ferrata set and a helmet, is required to safely tackle the steep, wire-roped sections on the Rubihorn. The route is officially classified as via ferrata B/C and offers technical passages where iron pins and steel cables provide support above exposed rock faces. On the ascent, you pass the idyllic Gaisalpsee, a crystal-clear mountain lake in a striking...

The tour to the Watzmann requires expert-level alpine experience and an absolute head for heights for this legendary crossing of the Watzmann massif. This world-famous route includes exposed climbing over the narrow ridge that connects the Hocheck, the Mittelspitze 2,713 m and the Südspitze 2,712 m. Wire ropes provide support in some places, but large parts of the terrain in grade II difficulty remain unsecured and require concentrated walking. The descent into the Watzmannkar is notoriously...

The legendary Jubiläumsgrat, which connects Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, with the Alpspitze, is the ultimate high-alpine challenge in the Eastern Alps and is reserved exclusively for experienced mountaineers. This highly exposed ridge traverse requires absolute surefootedness, extreme endurance, and the ability to free-climb unsecured rock up to UIAA Grade III. The route features wire ropes and a small emergency shelter, but a large portion of the ridge requires complete...

Demanding panoramic tour to the Hochkalter, Bavaria The Hochkalter crossing is a classic, highly demanding mountain tour in the Berchtesgaden Alps, which requires a high level of technical climbing skills and expert endurance. The route requires absolute surefootedness and a head for heights for the long, exposed ridge crossing, which has unsecured climbing sections up to UIAA grade II. Climbers must carry a helmet for safety on the exposed ridge and for the slippery descent through the...

This extremely difficult via ferrata to the Bernadeinkopf 2,143 m is only suitable for experienced and very well-trained via ferrata climbers and requires a helmet, climbing harness and via ferrata set. The Mauerläufersteig is often rated D/E and is considered one of the most difficult via ferratas in Germany. The route leads over a 300-metre-long, steep to overhanging north face, which requires considerable arm strength and stamina. The extreme exposure and persistent level of difficulty...