Via Alpina Purple A46

The Via Alpina Purple A46 is a 21.9-km point-to-point trail stage in Bavaria, Germany, gaining 1,704 m of elevation in approximately 8 hours 20 minutes. Rated difficulty II (moderate to strenuous), it connects the spa town of Ruhpolding with the historic market town of Marquartstein via two commanding Chiemgau summits — the Hochfelln (1,674 m) and the Hochgern (1,748 m) — delivering superb panoramic ridge-walking above the Bavarian foothills.

About the Via Alpina Purple A46

Stage A46 of the Via Alpina Purple Trail is one of 66 stages that together form a continuous trans-Alpine route stretching approximately 2,500 km from Monaco to Trieste. The Purple Trail is recognised as part of the International Walking Network (IWN), making it one of the world's most significant long-distance hiking routes. Stage A46 covers a stretch through Bavaria's Chiemgau Alps — a landscape of glacier-carved valleys, dense spruce forest and broad-shouldered summits that sit between the gentleness of the Bavarian foothills and the drama of the High Alps.

The stage departs from Ruhpolding, a traditional Bavarian spa town (Kneipp-Kurort) set at around 665 m in the Ruhpolding Valley. The town is surrounded by well-maintained hiking infrastructure and serves as a natural staging point on the Purple Trail's Bavarian leg. From here the route climbs persistently through forest and alpine meadow to the Hochfelln (1,674 m), the first of two summit crossings that define the stage's character. Hikers who prefer to save their legs for the descent can opt for the Hochfelln cable car (Hochfellnbahn) for the ascent to the Hochfellnhaus mountain hut, though most thru-hikers choose to walk the full route and earn those views on foot.

After the Hochfelln the trail drops into the Seehaus saddle before climbing again to the Hochgern (1,748 m), the stage's high point. The Hochgern is the highest summit between the Chiemsee and the Austrian border and commands a 360-degree panorama taking in the Chiemsee lake to the north, the Inn Valley to the east and, on clear days, the central alpine chain reaching toward the Hohe Tauern to the south. The descent from the Hochgern winds through high pasture and forest before arriving in Marquartstein, a small market town on the Tiroler Achen river.

The full Purple Trail crossing is typically completed in 66 stages over 40–60 days of hiking, but A46 stands perfectly well on its own as a challenging day hike from Munich — roughly 90 minutes by rail. It is one of the most rewarding single-stage sections in the German Alps, with 1,704 m of accumulated ascent demanding solid fitness and sure footing on alpine terrain. The route is waymarked throughout with the Via Alpina's distinctive red diamond marker, making navigation straightforward in clear weather.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A46 can be divided into four logical segments. Total stage statistics: 21.9 km | 1,704 m gain | 1,812 m loss | approximately 8 hours 20 minutes walking time (excluding stops).

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Ruhpolding town centre: The stage begins in this well-preserved Bavarian market town at 665 m. The 16th-century Church of St. George, with its richly decorated baroque interior, is worth a few minutes before the gradient kicks in. The Kurpark along the Ruhpolding stream provides a pleasant warm-up walk from the rail station to the trailhead.
• Hochfelln summit (1,674 m): Bavaria's best-known panoramic peak in the Chiemgau Alps offers sweeping views across the Inn Valley and toward the Berchtesgaden Alps to the east. The Hochfellnhaus mountain hut sits just below the summit and serves hot meals and cold Radler — a tempting reward after the first 1,000 m of ascent.
• Hochfelln cable car (Hochfellnbahn): This gondola lift has served the Hochfelln since 1953 and represents a genuine logistics option for those wanting to shorten the ascent or ease the knee-load on the descent. Via Alpina thru-hikers generally walk every metre, but the cable car is useful for day-hikers catching a late train from Munich.
• Alpine meadows between Hochfelln and Hochgern: The connecting terrain passes through traditional Bavarian Almwiesen (alpine meadows) used for summer cattle grazing. In July the wildflower display — Arnika, Enzian (gentian) and Alpenrose — is outstanding, and cowbells carry clearly across the whole saddle.
• Hochgern summit (1,748 m): The stage's highest point and finest viewpoint. On a clear day you can see the Chiemsee — Bavaria's largest lake at 80 km² — shimmering to the north, the Kaisergebirge to the east and the main Alpine ridge to the south. The summit cross is a traditional pilgrimage target for local walkers and marks the stage's emotional high point.
• Hochgernhaus mountain hut: Situated just below the Hochgern summit at approximately 1,680 m, the Hochgernhaus is managed by the Deutschen Alpenverein (DAV) and offers meals and overnight accommodation. For fit hikers this is the natural lunch stop after the second big climb of the day.
• Chiemgau ridge character: Unlike the sharper limestone ridges of Berchtesgaden, the Chiemgau summits are broad and grassy with well-worn trails underfoot. Views combine pastoral foreground — hay meadows, alm huts, roaming cattle — with a dramatic alpine backdrop, a combination that rewards photographers from dawn to dusk.
• Marquartstein village: The stage ends in this quiet market town on the Tiroler Achen river. The medieval Burg Marquartstein towers above the valley floor and the rail station connects directly back to Munich or onward toward Stage A47 at Kampenwand Bergstation.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A46

The accessible hiking season on Stage A46 runs from late May to mid-October. Snow typically lingers on the Hochgern above 1,400 m until early June, so anyone planning the route before mid-June should check current conditions with the Hochgernhaus hut or the local section of the Deutschen Alpenverein.

June: Trails are generally clear of snow from mid-month onward. Days are long and temperatures comfortable (8–16°C on the summits). The wildflower display is at its peak. Afternoon thunderstorm risk builds through the month — starting no later than 07:30 from Ruhpolding is wise to reach both summits before early-afternoon convection.

July: The single best month to hike Stage A46. Reliable weather windows, long daylight hours (sunrise before 05:30), warm valley temperatures and full wildflower meadows make for ideal conditions. Trail surfaces are dry and firm throughout. As of 2026, July remains peak season across the Chiemgau Alps, so book the Hochgernhaus at least two weeks ahead if you plan to stay overnight.

August: Excellent conditions but the busiest month on both summits. Weekend crowds on the Hochfelln are amplified by cable-car day-trippers from Munich; starting before 08:00 lets you reach the ridge ahead of the gondola queues. Afternoon thunderstorm risk is highest this month — an early alpine start is essential, not optional.

September: An outstanding alternative to July. Crowds drop sharply after the first week, the light turns golden and crisp, and temperatures remain very comfortable (6–14°C on the summits). Wildflowers give way to bilberries and the first russet colours in the forest below 1,200 m. The Hochgernhaus typically stays open until mid-October.

October: The upper sections can receive early snow from mid-October. The route remains walkable on clear days and autumn colour in the forests below 1,200 m is superb, but check conditions carefully and carry microspikes if hiking after the 15th.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Stage A46 is most commonly hiked as a demanding day trip, with hikers returning to Munich or Rosenheim by train from Marquartstein in the evening. Several overnight options allow those tackling multi-stage sections to pace the route more comfortably.

In Ruhpolding, accommodation ranges from budget Gasthöfe at roughly €45–70 per person per night (bed and breakfast) to mid-range wellness hotels at €90–150. The town's status as a recognised Kneipp spa resort means dozens of options sit within 500 m of the trail start.

The Hochfellnhaus (DAV hut, 1,674 m) offers dormitory beds at approximately €25–30 per person; DAV members receive a €5–8 discount. It operates a full kitchen service from June to October and must be reserved at least a week ahead during peak season.

The Hochgernhaus (DAV hut, approximately 1,680 m) offers similar dormitory accommodation at €25–35 per person including common-room access. Its position just below the Hochgern summit makes it the ideal overnight stop for those splitting Stage A46 into two days or linking directly into Stage A47.

In Marquartstein, several Gasthöfe and private rooms are available at €50–80 per person per night. The town lacks a dedicated hiker's hostel but pension-style accommodation is comfortable and hosts are accustomed to Via Alpina through-hikers arriving in the late afternoon.

Getting There & Back

Stage A46 benefits from excellent public transport connections — a genuine advantage over many alpine long-distance routes. Ruhpolding is served by the Deutsche Bahn regional rail network via Traunstein; the journey from Munich Hauptbahnhof takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes with a change at Traunstein, and trains run roughly hourly throughout the day.

Marquartstein sits on the same regional line (Rosenheim–Traunstein direction), making a fully car-free point-to-point day hike straightforward. From Marquartstein station, trains reach Munich Hauptbahnhof in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes via Rosenheim. The nearest international airport is Munich (MUC), roughly 100 km from both trailheads; rail transfer from Terminal 2 to Munich Hbf takes around 45 minutes on the S8 line.

If driving, a two-car shuttle is the practical option: park one vehicle in Marquartstein and drive the second to Ruhpolding. Both towns have free village car parks within 10 minutes' walk of the trail.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required for Stage A46. The trail crosses a combination of public footpaths, DAV-maintained alpine routes and Bavarian state forest land — all freely accessible year-round. The only fees you may encounter are:

• Hochfelln cable car (Hochfellnbahn): approximately €16–20 one-way; check current prices at the valley station in Ruhpolding before the season begins
• DAV hut overnight stays: €25–35 per person as detailed above; DAV membership (approximately €70 per year for adults) provides discounts and priority booking at all Alpine Club huts across Germany, Austria and Switzerland
• Parking: village car parks in both Ruhpolding and Marquartstein are free or cost €2–4 per day

Gear & Packing List

Stage A46 demands genuine alpine hiking equipment. With 1,704 m of elevation gain and 1,812 m of descent packed into a single day, this is not terrain for fashion trainers or an undersized urban daypack. If you are planning an ultralight setup for a multi-stage Via Alpina traverse, a pack in the 35–50 litre range with frame support suits this terrain and load profile well.

Three packs that work well on Stage A46:

• Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 — a proven all-day alpine pack with excellent back ventilation and a supportive hip belt that handles the long descent to Marquartstein without grinding your hips; the 10-litre extension collar is useful when linking multiple stages with hut kit
• Osprey Aether 65 — for multi-stage hikers carrying full sleeping kit on a Purple Trail traverse; the 65-litre capacity handles hut bedding with ease and the load-lifter straps manage sustained ascents efficiently
• Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 — a 35-litre option for fast day hikers carrying only the essentials; well-suited to those returning to Munich the same evening by rail from Marquartstein

Beyond the pack, the key items for Stage A46 are:

• Footwear: waterproof trail boots with ankle support — the descent from the Hochgern includes loose scree sections where trail runners offer less protection on tired knees
• Layers: summit temperatures can be 10–12°C cooler than the valley floor; a packable insulated jacket and waterproof shell are non-negotiable even in July
• Trekking poles: strongly recommended to reduce knee strain across the 1,812 m of total descent — your joints will still be complaining at Marquartstein station without them
• Water: carry at least 2 litres from the valley; springs are present on the route but treat untreated sources with a filter or purification tablets
• Calorie planning: with 8+ hours of sustained alpine effort, calorie planning matters — budget at least 400–500 kcal per hour for sustained alpine ascent and pack high-density trail food accordingly
• Navigation: download the offline route to a GPS device or app before departure; mobile coverage is patchy above 1,400 m on both the Hochfelln and Hochgern ridges

Similar Trails You Might Like

If Stage A46's combination of sustained alpine ascent, reliable public transport and well-marked multi-day waypointing appeals to you, several other long-distance European walking routes offer comparable experiences across Germany's varied landscapes. The Europäische Fernwanderwege (European Long Distance Paths) network shares the IWN designation of the Via Alpina and a similar ethos of high-quality, cross-border trail infrastructure.

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — part of the 4,390-km E8 route linking Ireland to Romania; the Rheinland-Pfalz section follows riverside gorges and Eifel forest ridges with excellent rail access from Cologne and Frankfurt
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — another E8 segment, crossing the Sauerland highlands and Teutoburg Forest with a long tradition of waymarked multi-day walking infrastructure
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — the western Sachsen-Anhalt leg of the 2,070-km E11 from The Hague to Warsaw, featuring Harz mountain forests, historic half-timbered market towns and good regional rail coverage
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — the eastern counterpart, connecting Harz foothill landscapes with the Saale river corridor and the broad agricultural lowlands beyond
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — Brandenburg's lake-and-forest terrain offers a lower-intensity contrast to the Chiemgau Alps; rewarding long-distance walking through one of Germany's most biodiverse lowland landscapes

For hikers drawn to dramatic mountain pass crossings in a wilder, less-serviced alpine setting, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania delivers an equally intense ridge-crossing experience with raw, undeveloped character quite different from the well-hut-serviced Bavarian Alps.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Via Alpina Purple A46?
July is the single best month. Trails are reliably snow-free from mid-June onward, daylight extends past 21:00, wildflower meadows are at their fullest and both the Hochfellnhaus and Hochgernhaus mountain huts operate with complete kitchen service. September is an excellent second choice — crowds thin considerably after the first week and the autumn light on the Chiemgau ridge is exceptional. Avoid the route before mid-June without first verifying summit snow conditions with the Hochgernhaus hut directly.

How difficult is Stage A46?
The Via Alpina rates A46 at difficulty II — equivalent to moderate-to-strenuous alpine hiking. The route involves 1,704 m of ascent and 1,812 m of descent over 21.9 km, with no technical climbing or scrambling required but sustained steep gradients throughout. You must be comfortable on steep and occasionally loose mountain paths for 8–10 consecutive hours. Prior experience of full-day alpine hikes is strongly recommended; inexperienced hikers should not attempt the stage unaccompanied.

How many kilometres per day is realistic on this stage?
Stage A46 covers 21.9 km in approximately 8 hours 20 minutes of walking time — around 2.6 km per hour, reflecting the steep and varied alpine terrain. Budget 9–10 hours total including breaks, meals at the Hochgernhaus and summit pauses. The stage is designed as a single day; experienced hikers occasionally link it with adjacent Stage A45 (Inzell to Ruhpolding) or Stage A47 (Marquartstein to Kampenwand Bergstation) for two- or three-day traverses.

Where can I sleep along Via Alpina Purple A46?
Two DAV mountain huts provide overnight accommodation directly on the route: the Hochfellnhaus at the Hochfelln summit (1,674 m) and the Hochgernhaus just below the Hochgern (approximately 1,680 m). Both charge around €25–35 per person per night for dormitory-style beds. At valley level, Ruhpolding (trail start) and Marquartstein (trail end) offer Gasthöfe and pensions at €45–80 per person. Book hut beds at least two weeks in advance during July and August to avoid disappointment.

Are permits required for Stage A46?
No permit is required to hike Stage A46. The trail follows public footpaths and freely accessible alpine club routes throughout its 21.9 km. The only optional fees are the Hochfelln cable car at approximately €16–20 one-way, and DAV mountain hut overnight stays at €25–35 per person. Joining the Deutschen Alpenverein (DAV) costs approximately €70 per year for adults and provides meaningful hut discounts along with priority booking rights across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.