Rotwand

Overview

Rotwand as seen from Tanzeck in the north

Rotwand is one of the most popular summits of the Bavarian Prealps, being located some 45min south of Munich and accessible by two easy routes from the Spitzingsee resort. It is the highest mountain of the Schliersee Region though it beats neighbouring Hochmiesing by 1m only. Like most of the Prealps summits access runs across grassy slopes until you reach the summit block where several metres of UIAA 1 lead to the top. The climb is never difficult which accounts for the popularity of the mountain.

Having said this, there quite naturally are more routes than the ones which access the mountain from Rotwandhütte to its south. Mainly two come to mind, the western approach from the rocky ridge of Lempersberg and the northern approach across the very steep north slope / ridge. Both are serious grass scrambles, very slippery in wet conditions. The bulk of the visitors, however, use the southern ascent. Moreover, there is a cable-car heading up to neighbouring Taubenstein from Spitzingsee and except for the last steps the traverse from Taubenstein to Rotwand is an easy stroll of 1h - 1 1/2h.

Being the highest mountain of its small group of mountains, Rotwand is famous for its wonderful views. The lakes (Schliersee, Spitzingsee) may be hidden from view but to the south Wilder Kaiser, Mangfallgebirge, Rofangebirge and Karwendel serve as a nice backdrop to the summit prealpine summits up front.

Getting There

From Munich:

• By car:
  • Take motorway A8 direction Salzburg
  • At the exit Weyarn switch to St2076 to Miesbach
  • There swiitch to B472, then B307 south
  • Drive through Hausham, Schliersee and Neuhaus until you get to the side road to Spitzingsee
  • Park your car at the cable car parking lot to the north of the lake
  • You can also go on to Geitau from Neuhaus, to start the climb from the north-east.
  
  
• By train / bus (hourly service from Munich central station)
  • Take the train to Fischhausen / Neuhaus just north of Spitzingsattel.
  • Switch to the bus which will take you to Spitzingsee
  • Alternatively take the train to Geitau on the Bayrischzell line

Rotwand seen from Schinderkar in the south-west

Rotwandhaus seen from below the summit

Red Tape

There are no restrictions in the area. However, make sure that you park your car in a free parking lot. Many of the lots in Spitzingsee are privately owned and you are either not allowed to park there or have to pay a small fee.

Accommodation

[img:19240:aligncenter:medium:Rotwandhaus seen from below the summit]
There is an DAV Alpine Club Hut close to the summit:

Rotwandhaus , 1765 m
DAV Turner-Alpenkränzchen
Phone hut: 0049/8026/7683
Fax hut: 0049/8026/7683

For Accommodation in the Schliersee / Spitzingsee region, follow the following link:
Schliersee / Spitzingsee accommodation

Weather Conditions

[img:432236:aligncenter:medium:Rotwandseen from Brecherspitz in the north-west]

Route Overview

All routes are well marked in the maps (see below) and in the terrain.

• Summer
  
  1. Taubenstein - Rotwand
     Take the cablecar from Spitzingsee (Taubensteinbahn) and walk over to Rotwandhaus and the summit (~ 1 - 1 1/2 hours, very easy)
     
  2. Spitzingsee / Wurzhütte via Wildfeldalm
     Follow the marked trails to Wildfeldalm and Rotwandhaus.
     Continue across the Rotwand south slopes to the summit.
     
  3. Spitzingsee / Wurzhütte via Pfannigraben
     Follow the marked trails through Pfannigraben and Rotwandhaus.
     Continue across the Rotwand south slopes to the summit.
     
  4. Geitau - Kümpelscharte - Rotwand
     Follow the trails from Geitau via Soinsee, Kümplscharte to Rotwandhaus.
     Continue across the Rotwand south slopes to the summit.
     
  5. Geitau - Miesingsattel - Rotwand
     Head through Kleintiefental to Miesingsattel, then follow the northeast ridge to summit (steep!).
  
  
  
• Winter
  
  • Classic "Rotwand-Reib'n"
    This is a skitour up and around Rotwand including several ascents and descents to different summits and saddles, also worthwhile with snowshoes.
    
    
    • From Spitzingsee / Wurzhütte take the route via Wildfeldalm to Rotwandhaus, and up to the summit.
      
    • Then return and head to neighbouring Auerspitz.
      
    • Decend to Großtiefentalalm, then back up again to Miesingsattel.
      
    • Descend into Kleintiefental, then ascend to Taubensteinhaus.
      
    • Finally ski down the slopes to Spitzingsee.

Maps & Books

Maps

• Bayrischzell
  Kompass Map WK008
  1:35000
  ISBN: 978-3-85491-352-8
  
• Tegernsee - Schliersee<
  Topographic Map UK 2
  1:25000
  ISBN: 3-86038-001-X
  
• Mangfallgebirge
  Topographic Map UK L12
  1:50000
  ISBN: 3-86038-484-8

Books

• Hiking
  • Leichte Wanderungen in den bayerischen Voralpen
    Heinrich Bauregger
    J. Berg Verlag
    ISBN: 978-3765840609
  
  
• Ski Touring / Snow Shoeing
  • Winterwanderungen in den bayrischen Voralpen
    Heinrich Bauregger
    J. Berg Verlag
    ISBN: 978-3765840784

External Links

• Rock climbing Ruchenköpfe
  Description and Topos (in German)
  
• Steinmandl.de
  Route description summer and winter - in German
  
• Dullinger-web
  Route description with pictures in German
  

Images

View Rotwand Image Gallery - 23 Images