Via Alpina Purple A45

The Via Alpina Purple A45 is a 27.4-km point-to-point stage trail in the Berchtesgaden and Chiemgau Alps on the German–Austrian border, gaining 1,131 m of elevation from Unken to Ruhpolding over approximately 8 hours 30 minutes of mountain walking. Rated Level II (moderate to strenuous), it is a dramatic high-Alpine traverse of meadow ridges, dense forest, and a thundering waterfall — one of the most rewarding single-day stages on the entire 2,500-km Via Alpina Purple Trail.

About the Via Alpina Purple A45

The Via Alpina is a network of five long-distance hiking routes crossing the European Alps. Its flagship route, the Purple Trail, stretches 2,500 km across six countries — from Trieste on the Slovenian coast all the way to Monaco on the Mediterranean — divided into 66 numbered stages. Designated by the International Walking Network (IWN) as one of the world's premier long-distance trails, the Purple Trail earns that status through the relentless beauty and physical demands of its mountain terrain.

Stage A45 begins in Unken, a small Salzburgerland village in Austria at approximately 580 m elevation, and finishes in Ruhpolding, a celebrated Bavarian spa resort at 680 m best known for hosting the annual Biathlon World Cup at the Chiemgau Arena. Between these two valley communities the trail climbs through the Heutal, a quiet pastoral side valley, before ascending steeply to the open ridges of the Hochalmen, crossing the exposed Peitingköpfl at around 1,720 m, and descending through a limestone gorge past the Staubfall waterfall — where the marked path passes directly behind the falling curtain of water.

The Chiemgau Alps through which A45 travels form the northern margin of the Northern Limestone Alps, a sub-range characterised by dramatic rock faces, karst plateaus, and lush alpine meadows. The route is waymarked throughout with the distinctive red-and-white Via Alpina markers and is maintained jointly by the German Alpine Club (DAV, Sektion Ruhpolding) and the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV). The official Via Alpina stage page provides GPS track downloads and up-to-date waypoint information for Stage A45.

Because A45 forms part of a continuous international route, most walkers encounter it during a multi-stage journey through the Alps. It also functions excellently as a standalone day hike of exceptional quality for experienced mountain walkers based in Ruhpolding, Berchtesgaden, or Salzburg — all within 60 km of the trailhead.

Route Overview & Stages

The 27.4-km stage breaks naturally into five logical segments. The cumulative 1,131 m of elevation gain is concentrated in the second and third segments; the final two segments are predominantly downhill, accounting for 1,024 m of total descent into Ruhpolding.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Staubfall Waterfall — The trail's most dramatic feature: Via Alpina waymarks guide you directly behind this 15-metre limestone waterfall, through cool spray and into a brief rock alcove. On warm summer days the experience is genuinely thrilling, and the kind of unexpected encounter that defines alpine trail travel at its best.
• Peitingköpfl Ridge (1,720 m) — The high point of Stage A45 delivers an unobstructed 360° panorama. On clear days the Hochkönig massif (2,941 m) dominates the southern skyline, while to the north the Bavarian foothills roll toward Lake Chiemsee, visible 30 km away.
• Hochalmen Meadows — An extensive belt of high alpine meadows above the Heutal valley, forming a prime botanical corridor. Gentian, alpine aster, arnica, and several orchid species bloom from late June through mid-July, perfectly timed with the best walking weather.
• Heutal Valley — One of the quieter side valleys in the Berchtesgaden region, used by local farmers as summer pasture. Its pastoral calm provides a contemplative opening hour before the serious climbing begins — a gentle on-ramp to a demanding stage.
• Unken Village & St. Andreas Church — The starting point retains traditional Pinzgau architectural character. The 15th-century church of St. Andreas stands near the trailhead and serves as a natural orientation point for the first kilometre of waymarked path.
• Ruhpolding Biathlon Arena (Chiemgau Arena) — The finish town is one of Europe's premier biathlon venues, transforming in summer into a hiking hub with 200+ km of waymarked trails in the surrounding hills. The Chiemgau Arena at 700 m elevation marks the edge of town for incoming Via Alpina walkers.
• Berchtesgaden National Park Viewpoint — Although Stage A45 does not enter the park itself, the Peitingköpfl ridge provides a privileged sightline into its 210 km² of protected wilderness, including the Watzmann's distinctive 1,800-metre east face.
• Northern Limestone Alps Geology — The rock underfoot for much of the upper route is Dachstein limestone, deposited as reef carbonates roughly 220 million years ago and subsequently uplifted and glacially sculpted. The Staubfall gorge cuts directly through this ancient formation, exposing the characteristic pale grey cliff faces of the Berchtesgaden region.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A45

Stage A45 is accessible from mid-June through mid-October. Snow typically lingers on the Hochalmen and Peitingköpfl sections above 1,600 m until the first or second week of June. As of 2026, waymarking on the stage has been maintained to a high standard, but upper-route conditions change quickly — always check current snow-line status before departing.

• Late June: The upper trail is clearing of snow and wildflowers are beginning on the Hochalmen. Trail surfaces can be wet and slippery in places. Route is quiet — ideal for those who value solitude. Check current conditions with the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) before setting out.
• July — the single best month: Valley temperatures average 22–26°C; ridge temperatures sit between 12–16°C. Alpine wildflowers are at peak bloom on the Hochalmen. Afternoon thunderstorms occur but are less frequent than in August. Ruhpolding accommodation is available without full advance booking on weekdays. July is the optimal month for first-time walkers on this stage.
• August: Peak season with excellent weather overall, but the highest chance of convective afternoon thunderstorms building over the Northern Limestone Alps by 14:00–15:00. Start no later than 07:30 to clear the exposed Peitingköpfl ridge before midday. Ruhpolding accommodation books out on summer weekends.
• September: Cooler temperatures (15–20°C in the valley) and dramatically improved visibility make this the best month for photography. Fewer hikers on the route; most alpine accommodation options remain open through the third week. Autumn colours begin in the lower forest sections.
• October: The upper sections become icy after mid-month. The Berggasthof Heutal typically closes by mid-October. Microspikes and extended mountain experience are required for anyone attempting the stage after the 15th of the month.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Ruhpolding at the end of the stage offers the widest range of accommodation. The Naturfreundehaus Ruhpolding provides dormitory beds from approximately €28/night and private rooms from €62/night, breakfast included. Several traditional Gasthöfe — among them the Gasthof Winklmoos and the Hotel Zur Post — offer 3-star comfort at €78–130/night. For those splitting the stage across two days, the Berggasthof Heutal in the mid-stage valley provides simple overnight accommodation at approximately €52–68/night with half-board included. Wild camping is not permitted in the Chiemgau Alps; designated campgrounds on the edge of Ruhpolding charge €13–20 per person per night and are open from May through early October.

Getting There & Back

The closest rail access to the Unken trailhead is Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer station, 12 km south of Unken on the Salzburg–Bischofshofen rail line. Regional bus line 170 (Salzburg Verkehr) runs Saalfelden → Unken approximately every hour (20 minutes, €3.40). From Salzburg Hauptbahnhof allow roughly 1 hour total for train and bus combined. Travellers flying in: Salzburg Airport (SZG) sits 55 km from Unken, approximately 50 minutes by train and bus.

From the finish in Ruhpolding, the railway station is 1 km from the town centre on the Salzburg–Rosenheim line (the Munich–Salzburg main corridor). Trains to Munich Hauptbahnhof take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (€26–38); trains to Salzburg take approximately 50 minutes (€15–22). Services run every 1–2 hours throughout the day. If you need a point-to-point shuttle back to Unken, local taxis charge approximately €45–60 and can be booked through Ruhpolding accommodation providers.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required for Stage A45. The entire route follows free-to-access public mountain paths in Austria (Land Salzburg) and the German state of Bavaria. There are no trail fees or park-entry charges — Berchtesgaden National Park is not crossed by this stage. German Alpine Club (DAV) or Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) membership is optional but entitles holders to reduced hut rates of €5–10 per night compared to non-member tariffs. Before departing, verify that your travel insurance includes mountain rescue and repatriation coverage — this is the most important financial precaution for any Via Alpina stage hike.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A45's 1,131 m of cumulative ascent, exposed ridge terrain above 1,700 m, and potential for rapid afternoon weather changes demand gear that balances weight against protection. Choosing a capable ultralight backpack is worth prioritising for a single-day stage of this length and elevation profile.

• Pack (35–50 L): The Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 is purpose-built for Alpine day and overnight hiking, with an integrated frame sheet, a built-in rain cover, and compression straps well suited to a 27 km stage load. For longer Via Alpina multi-stage itineraries requiring 5+ days of self-sufficiency, the Osprey Aether 65 (2.08 kg loaded) provides excellent load transfer on sustained mountain ascents. Weight-focused walkers should consider the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L at just 680 g — one of the lightest structural packs available at this volume class.
• Footwear: Mid-cut waterproof hiking boots with a Vibram or comparable sole are strongly recommended. The Dachstein limestone on the Peitingköpfl becomes extremely slippery when wet; trail runners are not advised for this stage.
• Waterproof shell: A hardshell jacket is non-negotiable. Convective afternoon storms develop rapidly and without much warning over the Northern Limestone Alps throughout summer.
• Trekking poles: Highly recommended for the 1,024 m of cumulative descent over the final 10 km into Ruhpolding — significant stress on the knees without mechanical support.
• Navigation: The official Via Alpina app provides free offline stage GPX tracks. A printed 1:25,000 topographic map (Kompass map 14, Berchtesgadener Land–Chiemgau) is a reliable backup.
• Water: Fill at least 2 litres in the Heutal valley; reliable water sources above 1,600 m are scarce on the ridge section. The Berggasthof Heutal also offers water refills mid-stage.
• Nutrition: The 8.5-hour walking time means significant calorie expenditure. See our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to plan food weight accurately and avoid bonking on the long descent.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Via Alpina Purple A45 appeals — a demanding alpine stage with significant elevation change, IWN-level route status, and strong public transport connections — the following long-distance German trails share the same international network classification and offer ambitious multi-day itineraries across varied terrain:

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — The 4,390-km E8 crosses Germany east to west, with the Rhineland-Palatinate section passing through river valleys and vineyard ridgelines at a more accessible difficulty level than the Via Alpina.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — The E8 section through Germany's most populous state follows the Rhine corridor with gentler terrain — an excellent introduction to German long-distance walking.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — Part of the 2,070-km E11 from the Netherlands to Poland; the western Saxony-Anhalt section traverses the Harz mountains at a moderate alpine difficulty.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — The eastern section continues into rolling lowland forest with a completely different character from alpine routes — useful for recovery days on a multi-week tour.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — Lake and pine-forest terrain through Brandenburg; a sharp contrast to Via Alpina intensity and ideal as a lower-effort counterpart in a broader German hiking itinerary.

For those drawn specifically to high-mountain pass crossings, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania is a comparable single-day traverse earning strong attention in 2026 for its dramatic Albanian Alps scenery and straightforward point-to-point logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike Via Alpina Stage A45?

July is the single best month. The Hochalmen meadows are in full alpine bloom, ridge temperatures sit between 12–16°C, and snow has fully cleared above 1,600 m. Afternoon thunderstorm frequency is lower than in August, and Ruhpolding accommodation remains bookable on weekdays without months of advance notice. Late September is the best alternative for those who prefer cooler temperatures, autumn colours, and minimal crowds on the trail.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Purple A45?

The stage is rated Level II (moderate to strenuous) by the Via Alpina organisation — the second of four difficulty levels. The primary challenge is the 1,131 m of cumulative elevation gain, the exposed limestone ridge near Peitingköpfl at 1,720 m, and the sustained 8 hours 30 minutes of walking time. Hikers should have experience on Alpine terrain and wear proper mountain boots. The route is not suitable for complete beginners or anyone with a significant fear of heights on exposed ridgelines.

How many kilometres per day is the Via Alpina Purple A45?

Stage A45 covers the full 27.4 km in a single day — above the Via Alpina network average of approximately 22 km per stage. The 8 hours 30 minutes official walking time implies an average pace of 3.2 km/h, normal for steep alpine terrain. Starting from Unken no later than 07:30 is strongly recommended to complete the exposed Peitingköpfl ridge section well before the 14:00–15:00 afternoon thunderstorm window that develops during the summer months.

What accommodation options are there on Stage A45?

Ruhpolding at the finish offers the widest choice: dormitory beds at the Naturfreundehaus from €28/night, and 3-star Gasthöfe at €78–130/night. The Berggasthof Heutal provides a mid-stage overnight option for walkers who prefer splitting the 27.4 km across two days, at approximately €52–68/night with half-board. Book July and August weekends in Ruhpolding at least three to four weeks in advance to secure your preferred option.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee to hike Via Alpina Stage A45?

No permit is required. Stage A45 follows free-to-access public mountain paths in both Austria (Salzburgerland) and Bavaria (Germany). There are no trail fees or park-entry charges for any section of the route. German Alpine Club (DAV) or Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) membership is optional but earns you reduced hut rates of €5–10 per night. The most important financial precaution is confirming that your travel insurance covers mountain rescue and helicopter repatriation before you set out.