Kneifelspitze

1,188 mvia Maria Gern

Left at four, up in the dark, waiting for the light at the top. Short and punchy — steep in places, but a good path the whole way.

6.06km out & back

456elevation gain

1,188m summit

1:41 hmoving time

T1SAC scale

Before you go

Quick notes for your backpack brain.

Parking: Down across from the Maria Gern church.
Food stop: The Paulshütte sits right at the summit — closed at four in the morning, of course.
What it’s like: Short and punchy, steep in places, but always a good path. In the dark: headlamp.
Who it’s for: A good fit if you want to catch a sunrise without four hours of climbing. Probably not if you’re looking for a lot of elevation in one go.

The whole loop as a video on Instagram — starting point in Maps.

HikedAug 30

My take.

Short and punchy, steep in places, but always a good path. At the top the hut was still closed, of course — but instead a beautiful night view of the Hoher Göll and the Watzmann, and in the distance a few headlamps. The sunrise was partly hidden by trees, still really top. Three minutes further on, the view opens to Salzburg and the Untersberg, really beautiful too. We had the summit to ourselves. Going down was relaxed — I was back home by half past nine anyway.

— Sebi

4:24 hon the trail

8,118steps

132 bpmavg. heart rate

1:41 hmoving

1,000kcal

Night into daySunday, Aug 30 Set off 4:00 → back at the car 8:20

4:00 set off
5:15 at the summit cross
6:34 sunrise
8:20 back at the car

Between the summit and sunrise there was an hour and twenty minutes of waiting, at night, looking at the Hoher Göll and the Watzmann. That was almost the best part.

Clouds glowing red at sunrise, spruce silhouettes in front. — **6:34**Half behind trees, still top

Elevation profileout & back Start 735 m → summit 1,188 m → back

Kneifelspitze · 1,188 m

Hover to read the values

RouteRecorded track Start → Kneifelspitze

Start Kneifelspitze

Ascent 2.95 km

Elevation 735 → 1,188 m

Recorded track up to the summit — the way back wasn’t recorded.

PhotosKneifelspitze

Blue hour over the Berchtesgaden mountains, the roof of the Paulshütte in the foreground. — **Blue hour** An hour and twenty minutes of waiting

The Watzmann in the first morning light under a blue sky, meadows and forest in front. — **Blue hour** An hour and twenty minutes of waiting

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