Hochalmen Circular Walk

The Hochalmen-Rundwanderung is the finest and most celebrated tour in the Gaistal – and for many visitors the very essence of the Almenparadies. Covering 12.5 km with 650 metres of elevation, the circuit traverses the entire upper Gaistal, passes three staffed alpine huts, offers spectacular panoramic views of the Zugspitze and returns to the starting point. If you want to experience the Gaistal in a single day, this is the tour to do.

Tour Highlights

• Wettersteinhütte (1,930 m): First major refreshment stop after the ascent, launch point for alpine summit tours
• Wangalm (1,750 m): Breathtaking panorama at the foot of the Gehrenspitze, dog-friendly
• Hämmermoosalm (1,417 m): Gault&Millau award-winning hut, ideal final stop before the descent
• Zugspitze panorama: Unobstructed views of the Zugspitze massif for much of the tour
• Circular route: Start and finish at the same car park – perfect logistics with no shuttle required

Step-by-Step Route Description

Start at Stupfer car park (P2): The route begins at the upper Gaistal car park at approx. 1,080 m. From the car park, follow the marked hiking trail towards the Wettersteinhütte – initially on a wide forest track, then on a narrower mountain path heading uphill.

Ascent to the Wettersteinhütte (approx. 1.5 hrs.): The path passes through dense spruce and dwarf pine forest, steepening progressively in the upper section. As you leave the tree line, the view opens up suddenly: the Zugspitze appears to the north, the Gaistal lies at your feet. The Wettersteinhütte (1,930 m) sits in an exposed position on the hillside – here the first rest is well earned.

Wettersteinhütte to Wangalm (approx. 1 hr.): From the hut, a traverse path leads towards the Wangalm with little additional elevation gain. The route passes through open alpine terrain with clear views of the surrounding peaks. The Wangalm (1,750 m) sits on a slightly lower plateau – from here perhaps the finest view of the entire tour: Gehrenspitze in the foreground, Zugspitze in the background.

Wangalm to Hämmermoosalm (approx. 1 hr.): The descent from the Wangalm follows a marked trail downhill towards the Hämmermoosalm. The terrain becomes progressively gentler, the pastures wider. The Hämmermoosalm (1,417 m) lies at the lower end of the descent arc – the most decorated hut in the Gaistal is an ideal final stop.

Hämmermoosalm to Stupfer car park (approx. 30 min.): From the Hämmermoosalm plateau, take the wide Ganghoferweg back towards the car park. The descent is gentle and comfortable – perfect for rounding off a grand circuit.

Refreshment Stops

Up to three huts can be visited on this tour – ideally with planned breaks:

Requirements and Equipment

The tour is rated moderate: no scrambling sections, but 650 metres of ascent over partly steep terrain. Recommended for:

• Experienced walkers from approx. 12 years of age
• Fitness for 4.5+ hours of walking
• Sturdy footwear (trekking shoes or mountain boots)
• Waterproof jacket and sun protection
• Sufficient water (1.5–2 litres recommended)

Tips for the Tour

• Early start: From mid-June to August, thunderstorms can build in the afternoon – aim to be at the Wangalm by 1 p.m.
• Dogs: Most huts on this route are dog-friendly; please use a lead near grazing animals
• E-bike: Possible by e-bike to the Hämmermoosalm, then continue on foot
• Season: Only from mid-June to end of September (Wangalm and Wettersteinhütte closed outside this period)

The Hochalmen-Rundwanderung is the tour that defines the Gaistal – a circuit you do once and always want to repeat.