Hike to Mitteralm (1,199m) on Wendelstein
The Mitteralm on Wendelstein is a mountain hut operated by the German Alpine Club (DAV), nestled in the Bavarian Prealps at an altitude of 1,199 meters. It is accessible year-round, either by train or via an easy hike, and is located right next to the historic Wendelstein cog railway.
The cog railway ride from the base station in Brannenburg takes about 15 minutes and costs €16 per trip. Alternatively, you can purchase a combo ticket for about €40, which allows you to use both the cog railway and the cable car.
If you'd rather hike to the Mitteralm, this guide provides all the information you’ll need.
Hike Details
Ascent Time: 2:00 h
Distance: 5 km
Elevation Gain: 540 m
Max Altitude: 1,199 m
Descent Time: 1:30 h
Difficulty: Family-friendly
Trail Markers: Well-marked
Open: Year-round (closed Mondays)
Parking for the Mitteralm on Wendelstein
There’s a large, free parking area at the Wendelstein cog railway base station in Brannenburg. This is where your hike to Mitteralm begins.
The Hike to Mitteralm
From the parking lot at the Wendelstein cog railway in Brannenburg, the trailhead is located right behind the station.
The hike begins with a fairly steep ascent along a grassy path, which was, for us, one of the most challenging parts of the entire route! 😊
After this initial effort, the rest of the trail is relatively gentle, following a well-maintained path that winds through a forest.
Along the way, you’ll cross the tracks of the Wendelstein cog railway multiple times. Fun fact: this is Germany’s oldest mountain railway, built between 1910 and 1912.
The railway was designed to operate in both summer and winter, a remarkable achievement for its time. Built with the help of 800 guest workers from Italy and Croatia, the route—featuring tunnels and support walls—remains an engineering marvel to this day.
Shortly after crossing the railway tracks, the trail splits.
Winter Trail: Follows the Reindlerbach stream to Mitteralm via a gentler path.
Summer Trail: A steeper route via forest paths that leads past Mailalm.
Taking the winter trail along Reindlerbach, you’ll eventually reach a junction.
Turn left here, and shortly afterward, you’ll spot Mitteralm.
A few more minutes, and you’ll arrive at the cozy hut run by Petra, the innkeeper.
Mitteralm on Wendelstein – A Place to Relax and Refuel
At Mitteralm, you can enjoy a meal or even stay overnight. The friendly team offers a selection of hot and cold dishes.
The hut is open year-round, except on Mondays (and Tuesdays from January to April).
Accommodation options include 2-, 3-, and 4-bed rooms, as well as dormitory-style “lagers” for groups of 7, 8, 9, or 18 people. Altogether, the hut can host up to 54 guests.
In the morning, a simple buffet breakfast is available, featuring bread rolls, cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, muesli, juices, and hot drinks.
We stayed overnight at Mitteralm, which gave us the incredible advantage of being on the mountain before the crowds arrived. We even spotted chamois grazing nearby—an unforgettable experience!
While cell reception is limited, the hut does offer free Wi-Fi for guests.
Hike to the Wendelstein Summit
From Mitteralm, it’s about a 2.5-hour hike to the summit of Wendelstein.
After a hearty lunch at the hut, we had planned to tackle the final ascent. However, the weather turned against us, and we decided to stay put and relax instead. Not the worst alternative—Mitteralm is such a cozy spot! 😊
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