Located in the Chiemgau region of Bavaria, Reit im Winkl now boasts five certified premium hiking trails by the German Hiking Institute for summer use. Our hiking week began with the Premium Hiking Trail Almgenuss on the Hindenburghütte. "Yes, a traditional Hemmersuppe," he told the locals, "is a staple of the region." Hemmer, also known as Weißer Germer, is a type of weed that grows up to knee-high and is unpalatable even to cows. After heavy rains, the numerous gullies of the Hochalm create large puddles, which are often associated with the saying "A so a Supp'n" in Bavaria. Today, those weeds would be a welcome sight. The 6.5-kilometer Panorama Trail around the Hemmersuppenalm has been awarded the "Premium Hiking Trail" seal. Another highlight of this premium hiking trail is a test station for hiking boots right in front of the Hindenburghütte.
The ascent from the Hindenburghütte is a short, easy climb through a dense forest. From there, the route leads over the extensive and picturesque Hemmersuppenalm to the charming Sankt Anna Chapel, which was built in 1905 by farmers. The chapel stands on a small hill, and a snack on the wooden bench with a view of the Winklmoosalm, the Sonntagshorn, and the Schumacherkreuz is a perfect way to recharge. As you walk, you'll automatically find yourself relaxing.
The second Premium Hiking Trail Gletscherblick Alpin extends the Almgenuss with an eastern loop. After climbing to the Pflegereck, the route leads through a larch forest on an easy path. Later, it continues through a bog zone to the Durchkaseralm and the Eggenalmkogel with the nearby Straubinger Haus at 1685 meters. Strong hikers can also reach the summit of the 1765-meter-high Fellhorn here.
From numerous stalls, you can see the bold cut of the Großvenediger and the completely assembled Zillertaler Alps. In front of them, the Kitzbühler Horn rises into the brightly blue sky. The heavily eroded Wild Kaiser looks like a monolith from here. The gently green Chiemgauer Alps seem almost idyllic. From the Egg Chapel, you can even see the Watzmann and the Hochkalter.
Back at the Hindenburghütte, the aroma of fresh roast pork leads us to the cozy room. After the delicious Millirahmstrudel, it becomes clear that the Hindenburghütte is a strong argument in the awarding of the Wander-Oscar. Günter Dirnhofer, a man with a wardrobe, shuttles guests from Reit im Winkl to the Premium Hiking Trail by all-wheel drive - directly to the Hindenburghütte. Once a month, he and his team organize a torch walk with a subsequent hut party, always on the full moon. This also deserves the Premium Seal. Because Günter and his Bergfex'n and an alphorn trio often keep guests entertained until the morning. This has nothing to do with relaxation anymore.
The Premium Hiking Trail Alpin Chiemseeblick starts at the Festsaal in the village. With a length of 12 kilometers and an ascent of 789 meters, it is classified as a challenging premium hike. But this tour can also be enriched with pauses. For example, at the 1061-meter-high Wetterkreuz, which offers a fantastic view with a comfortable wooden bench. From here, a narrow path leads west to the "picturesque and romantic" Hutzenalm at approximately 1000 meters above sea level. There, the hungry hiker can enjoy fragrant snack plates and steaming Speck- and Kaspress-Knödelsuppen at once. Whenever the innkeeper Rainer Blöchinger comes cheerfully from the cozy hut, all eyes follow him. After the hearty first meal, the only question is: a delicious and loose Kaiserschmarrn with apple sauce or a portion of "Almnussen", a specialty of the Hutzenalm. Freshly baked in butter, coated with cinnamon sugar - with a cup of coffee..., premium hiking and delicious eating is an unbeatable combination.
The 6.5-kilometer Premium Hiking Trail Kapellensteig, which we have now mastered, is classified as a medium-level hike. We start again at the Festsaal. Walk over the church to Hausbergstraße towards Eckkapelle. But first, turn towards Pötschbichl and run on a good path to Walmberg, where we first see the Bavarian Lake, the Chiemsee in the distance. On the way back, we pass the Eckkapelle with its wonderful Lüftelmalereien and frescoes. The Amthorsteig leads us downhill on a very harmoniously designed cross to the Kriegerkapelle. It was built in honor of the Reit im Winkler who fell in the World Wars. Over the Scheffelsteig, which gives us a fantastic view from its observation tower on Reit im Winkl, we return to the Festsaal.
The fifth Premium Hiking Trail Klausenbachklamm surprises with a new landscape type. It leads from the sports field over the Loferauen uphill to the Hochmoor Mühlau.
At the Demel-Hauseralm, we reach the highest point of the last section at 891 meters. Today, it is not the vast panoramas that impress us, but the wild and romantic forest landscape, the moor, and the enchanted Schluchtweg through the Klausenbachklamm. The five-pack for hiking enthusiasts has convinced us completely. To conclude this hiking week, we will celebrate in one of the beautiful inns in Reit im Winkl.
