Overview
Schildenstein as seen from the eastern saddle
The long east – west running ridge of
Blauberge, the Bavarian Blue Mountains within
Bavarian Alps, has only two real culmination points:
Halserspitze, the main and highest summit of Blauberge and
Schildenstein, a good deal lower than Halserspitze but an excellent lookout point and wellknown among hikers and tourists.
Schildenstein is the culmination point of the western part of Blauberge ridge,located between the minor summit of
Wichtelplatte to the east and
Platteneck to the west, another minor summit of Blauberge. A broad, unnamed saddle divides Schildenstein from Wichtelplatte and the eastern part of Blauberge. This saddle is a beautiful place at the timberline with old and huge spruces, dwarf pines, alpine meadows and some rocks.
Blaubergalm which offers food, drinks and accommodation, is located at the eastern end of the saddle. At its western end Schildenstein summit stretches just a bit above timberline, enough to offer beautiful views over
Bavarian Alps,
Brandenberger Alpen,
Pre - Karwendel mountains and Karwendel ranges.
The north slopes of Schildenstein as all the other Blauberge summits, drop down to steep gorges. To the south more gentle wood slopes go down to Achensee valley and the villages of Achenwald and Achenkirch.
Schildenstein is a very popular hike in summer and autumn and a liked ski tour in winter. So do not expect to be alone on top of this mountain. As it is a rather easy hike Schildenstein is a child – friendly undertaking: combine the adventurous ascent via
Wolfsschlucht, a gorge with waterfalls (Kleine Wolfsschlucht) and scrambling action on easy rocks with a descent via
Königsalm where the little summiteers can be rewarded with a good snack.
Getting There
Main trailheads for Schildenstein are:
Beautiful Tegernsee with Wallberg and (right in the background) Blauberge / Halserspitze
From Munich
From Innsbruck / Inntal valley
Railway
The private railway
BOB - Bayerische Oberlandbahn has hourly services from Munich to Tegernsee. At the Tegernsee railway station there are
bus services to Kreuth / Wildbad Kreuth and to the other above mentioned trailheads.
Main Routes Overview
Wolfsschlucht Route
Wildbad Kreuth trailheads – Siebenhütten Inn – Wolfsschlucht – ascent to saddle between Wichtelplatte and Schildenstein, rock scramble, partly secured with steel ropes – Schildenstein summit.
a 10 minutes detour to the nice waterfall of Kleine Wolfsschlucht (signposts at the trail junction) is a must.
Steep hiking route, rock scramble and exposure involved; 3 to 3,5 hours
Typical Alm hut | Signposts to Kleine Wolfsschlucht | Wolfsschlucht route |
Gaißalm – Königsalm Route
Wildbad Kreuth trailheads – Gaißalm – Königsalm – Schildenstein summit
Easy hike, 3 to 3,5 hours
Gaißalm and summit | Schildenstein from Gaißalm route | summit view |
Schwarze Tenn – Königsalm Route
Schwarze Tenn trailhead – forest road to Königsalm – Schildenstein summit; this ist he ski route, too.
Easy hiking and ski route, 3 to 3,5 hours
Southern view | Butterfly | Summit view |
South Route via Blaubergalm
Achenwald trailhead – forest road of Klammbach creek and Mahnmoosbach creek valley – Blaubergalm – saddle between Wichtelplatte and Schildenstein – Schildenstein summit
Wolfsschlucht scramble | Kleine Wolfsschlucht waterfalls |
Wolfsschlucht route and Königsalm – Gaißalm route can be combined to a round trip.
Red Tape & Accommodation
Red Tape
As far as I know there are no special restrictions around Blauberge / Schildenstein
Wolfsschlucht wildflowers | Wolfsschlucht outlook to Risserkogel |
Accommodation
Valley accommodations
Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, restaurants and campgrounds can be found mainly in the following villages:
Mountain huts and inns
Königsalm, Chevaliers building
Königsalm is a very special building and worth a visit. The long stretched Alm building was erected in the year 1723 and is the biggest historical Alm building of the region. In 1818 under Bavaring king Maximilian I (this is why the place is called “Kings Alm”) the huge “Chevaliers house” was built to host the king and his shoot during the hunting season. Later on Austrian empress Elisabeth (“Sissi”) visited the Königsalm several times as she liked the region and the building very much.
Today the dairy man of Königsalm uses the Chevaliers house as home during the summer.
Gear & Mountain Conditions
Schildenstein is an
all-season mountain.
In spring, summer and autumn you need normal hiking gear and, depending on the snow cover in spring, gaiters, too.
The northern ascent / descent via
Wolfsschlucht route requires some scrambling, the route is partly secured with steel ropes. In late autumn and winter this northern route can be difficult due to ice or snow. Several fatal accidents happened in the last years!
In winter
Schildenstein it is an easy ski tour (route from Schwarze Tenn trailhead). This ski tour is for beginners and there are not many avalanche – threatened slopes but - as always on ski tours - don´t forget your avalanche gear.
Check the
weather forecast here.
Check the
Bavarian avalanche bulletin here.
Current Weather:
Maps & Guide Books
The most detailed maps for Blauberge are:
Alpenvereinskarte 1 : 25.000
Blatt BY 13: Mangfallgebirge West, Tegernsee, Hirschberg
2009
Alpenvereinskarte 1 : 25.000
Blatt BY 14: Mangfallgebirge Süd, Guffert, Unnütz, Juifen
2010
The easternmost parts of the area is on the map:
Alpenvereinskarte 1 : 25.000
Blatt BY 15: Mangfallgebirge Mitte, Spitzingsee, Rotwand
2009
Blauberge / Halserspitze view from Schildenstein | Wolfsschlucht scramble |
Additionally you can use:
Topographische Karte von Bayern, 1 : 50.000
Blatt 12, Mangfallgebirge, Tegernsee, Schliersee, Rosenheim
2005
Ski Tour Guide Book:
Robert Demmel, Norbert Schneider: Bayerische Alpen zwischen Inn und Lech; Bergverlag Rudolf Rother, Skitourenführer, München, 2013