Breitenstein at Mangfall mountains leads a shadowy existence although it's quite impressive in this part of the Alps with its 1.622 metres. Yet, it has been outdone by its neighbor Wendelstein. With its striking look Wendelstein is highly visible, quite the contrary is Breitenstein, which can't keep up with its soft ridge.

Nevertheless Breitenstein is one of the most popular places for excursions and hiking trips and this is not for nothing. The journey from Munich is already a delight for the eyes, for after having left the motorway at Weyarn and turning left in Miesbach towards Fischbachau, you will pass meadows and woods, brooks and lovely villages until you reach Fischbachau.

This little borough consists of several parts, for the ascent of the Breitenstein the hiker has to turn left in Birkenstein and will find a huge parking which, on a sunny day, is bursting at the seams despite its size. Therefore you should get there early, also for the silence on the mountain top.

The ascent is easy to master also for the less trained and serves as a great start-out for upcoming heavier tours. And in fact, you can't get lost for the signs are well placed and due to the high number of visitors there are always people to ask. A nice and interesting version is a short-cut through the woods which leads along a brook. This path is found through a bank and the mentioned sign.

After an easy hike of 1,5 hours you will reach Kessel-Alm at 1.275m, which is offering yummy food. Having enjoyed a refreshment the path leads along a big grass hill reaching an arm which turns right to Wendelstein and left to Breitenstein. After 30 minutes of a steep ascent you will find mountain pasture meadows with the seasonally run Hubertus cabin. Once you have made it there, you should take your time having a soup and a wheat beer and look back on the altitude difference you have mastered so far.

Climbing the top is an easy thing by now – from the cabin at 1.535m it's only 87m. On the top you can gaze into Chiemgau with Lake Chiemsee, down to Rosenheim and out there towards Munich. The Alps' landscape seems at peace here and shows its best side. On a sunny day you can view the "Großvenediger"-mountain.

For the descent you should use the Breitenstein-looproad which makes a short curve and leads along a mountain pasture with a goat husbandry. Since the path to the Kessel-Alm is freed from snow during the winter (from March-November the pasture is open on weekends, from April-October daily except Mondays) the hike is an insider tip in winter.

by Dietmar Stanka