Via Alpina Purple A47

The Via Alpina Purple A47 is an 11.8-km point-to-point stage of the Via Alpina International Walking Network in the Chiemgauer Alps, Bavaria, Germany, ascending 1,235 m from the market town of Marquartstein to the Kampenwand Bergstation at 1,460 m. Graded difficult (Grade II), this demanding single-day stage rewards hikers with sweeping Chiemsee panoramas, traditional Bavarian Alm pastures, and the iconic limestone ramparts of the Kampenwand massif.

About the Via Alpina Purple A47

Stage A47 of the Via Alpina Purple Trail connects the historic market town of Marquartstein in the Chiemgau district of Upper Bavaria with the Kampenwand Bergstation, the mountain station of the Kampenwandbahn cable car. It is one of six German stages on the Purple Trail, which spans 66 stages from Trieste on the Adriatic to Monaco on the Mediterranean, crossing eight Alpine countries including Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and France.

As part of the International Walking Network (IWN), the Via Alpina ranks among the world's most prestigious long-distance hiking routes. Stage A47 sits in the heart of the Chiemgauer Alps, a compact range of limestone summits and rolling high pastures bordered to the north by the Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake. The combination of cultural character — ancient farmsteads, flower-laden Alpine meadows — and genuine mountain terrain makes this stage one of the most rewarding single-day hikes in southern Germany.

Starting at roughly 650 m in Marquartstein, the trail climbs steadily for most of its 11.8 km, gaining 1,235 m of elevation while losing 328 m, to arrive at the Bergstation at approximately 1,460 m. The Kampenwand itself peaks at 1,669 m and is visible for much of the final ascent, its rocky south face dominating the skyline. The stage takes most fit hikers between 4.5 and 5.5 hours at a steady pace.

Marquartstein is a traditional Chiemgau village known for its 14th-century hilltop castle, Schloss Marquartstein, visible above the rooftops as you leave town. The trail quickly climbs into the forested slopes above the valley before breaking out onto high Alpine terrain where the Chiemsee, some 10 km to the north, comes into view. For hikers planning a multi-day traverse of the Via Alpina's German section, A47 is typically the penultimate or final German stage before the route continues westward toward the Tegernseer Alps.

As of 2026, the trail is well-maintained and clearly waymarked with the Via Alpina's distinctive purple diamond markers. Trail conditions are generally good from late May through October, though the upper section near the Kampenwand can carry snow well into June in high-snowfall years.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A47 is a single continuous stage, but it divides naturally into three sections by character and terrain. The table below shows the key sub-sections and their statistics.

The total for A47 is 11.8 km, with 1,235 m of ascent and 328 m of descent. Most hikers complete the stage in 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on fitness and time spent at the Steinlingalm.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Schloss Marquartstein: A medieval hilltop castle overlooking the trailhead village, dating from the 14th century. A short 200 m detour from the start delivers panoramic views over the Inn and Alz valleys — a fitting send-off before the serious climbing begins.
• Hochalpkopf area (~1,400 m): A grassy plateau reached after the main forest climb where the terrain opens dramatically. Unobstructed views span north across the shimmering Chiemsee and south toward the Austrian Salzach Alps, offering the first true sense of Alpine exposure on the stage.
• Die Raffen: A series of jagged limestone outcrops along the ridgeline between the Hochalpkopf area and the Steinlingalm. The trail traverses directly below their south-facing walls, delivering classic Chiemgau limestone scenery that is unique to this section of the Bavarian Alps.
• Steinlingalm (~1,350 m): A traditional Bavarian Alpine farmstead that serves as the natural midpoint rest stop. The hut serves cold drinks and Brotzeit — traditional Bavarian snack plates — on shaded benches with a sweeping view toward the Chiemsee basin below. Exactly what tired legs need at the three-quarter point.
• Kampenwand South Face: The final approach to the Bergstation traverses below the dramatic 300-m limestone south face of the Kampenwand, one of the most impressive rock walls in the Chiemgauer Alps. The face is a classic destination for technical rock climbers, and watching them from the trail adds an extra dimension to the final hour.
• Chiemsee Panoramas: Bavaria's largest lake at 80 km² is visible for much of the upper half of the stage. On clear days the Fraueninsel and Herreninsel islands are distinct, with the Benedictine abbey and Ludwig II's Herrenchiemsee Palace identifying each respectively.
• Kampenwand Bergstation (1,460 m): The stage endpoint, with a large terrace restaurant offering unobstructed views toward the Rosenheim basin and, on clear days, as far as Munich 80 km to the northwest. A well-earned Radler and a plate of Käsespätzle await the arriving hiker.
• Kampenwandbahn Cable Car: Operating since 1957, this historic cable car descends from the Bergstation to Aschau im Chiemgau (600 m) in under 10 minutes — the standard and most enjoyable exit for Stage A47, connecting to onward bus and rail services back toward Munich.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A47

The hiking season for Stage A47 runs from late May through mid-October. Because the upper half of the route sits above 1,200 m, lingering snow is possible on the Kampenwand approach into early June in above-average snowfall years. Before a spring visit, check current conditions via the Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service, which publishes daily mountain hazard reports for the Chiemgauer Alps region.

June brings spectacular wildflower meadows to the Alpine pastures and typically snow-free trail conditions, with excellent visibility before summer haze develops. July and August are the peak months: the Steinlingalm and Bergstation can be busy on summer weekends, though the trail itself rarely feels congested. September is the single best month to hike A47. High-pressure systems are more persistent than in summer, crowds thin noticeably after the school holidays, Alpine colours reach their richest hues, and Chiemsee views from the ridge are at peak clarity. October remains viable but early snow can dust the upper section from mid-month onward; check forecasts carefully before committing to a late-season attempt.

Winter (November–April) is suitable only for experienced mountaineers equipped with crampons and an ice axe. The Kampenwandbahn operates year-round for ski touring and snowshoeing access, but the summer hiking trail is not maintained or patrolled in winter. As of 2026, the trail infrastructure is in excellent condition, with waymarking refreshed by the Via Alpina association in recent seasons.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Marquartstein offers a solid range of guesthouses and family-run hotels for hikers starting Stage A47. Expect to pay €55–€90 per person for a bed-and-breakfast room in the village. The Landgasthof Zur Post and several Ferienwohnungen (holiday apartments) are consistently recommended by through-hikers on the Via Alpina Purple Trail.

Along the route, the Steinlingalm functions as a day-use hut only and does not offer overnight accommodation. At the stage endpoint, the Kampenwandhaus near the Bergstation provides dormitory beds at approximately €35–€50 per person — book well in advance for July and August, as the hut fills quickly with both day visitors and Via Alpina through-hikers. The town of Aschau im Chiemgau, reached in under 10 minutes by cable car, has a broader hotel selection ranging from €60–€110 per night and a good choice of restaurants for a post-stage dinner.

For hikers continuing westward on the Via Alpina, subsequent stages toward the Tegernseer Alps offer hut accommodation at the Lachereralm and Rotwandhaus, both of which require advance reservation during summer.

Getting There & Back

By train: Marquartstein is accessible from Munich Hauptbahnhof in approximately 80 minutes via the Rosenheim–Salzburg regional line to Übersee (the nearest rail station, 8 km from Marquartstein), followed by a local bus or taxi. Taxis from Übersee cost roughly €15–€20. Regional buses also connect Übersee to Marquartstein on weekdays, though services can be infrequent — check the BRB regional rail timetable before travel.

By car: From Munich, drive approximately 80 km via the A8 motorway toward Salzburg, exit at Bernau am Chiemsee, then follow the B305 south to Marquartstein. Journey time is approximately 80 minutes in normal traffic. Parking is available in Marquartstein village centre.

Return journey: The Kampenwandbahn cable car descends to Aschau im Chiemgau (daily operation, approximately 9:00–17:00 summer season; approximately €10–€14 one-way). From Aschau, bus services connect to Prien am Chiemsee train station in around 30 minutes, with direct trains to Munich Hauptbahnhof taking 60 minutes.

Munich Airport (MUC) is approximately 90 km from Marquartstein — around 1 hour 20 minutes by car, or roughly 2 hours by public transport via Munich central station.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required for Stage A47. The trail passes through privately owned farmland and the Kampenwand Nature Reserve under Bavaria's general public-access rights, and the waymarked route is entirely free to walk. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be kept on a lead through farmland and Alm sections as a courtesy to working farmers and their livestock.

The principal optional cost is the Kampenwandbahn cable car descent to Aschau im Chiemgau, at approximately €10–€14 one-way. It is technically possible to descend on foot, but the cable car is the standard exit and well worth the cost after a 1,235 m ascent. Food and drink at the Steinlingalm and Bergstation restaurant are reasonably priced by Alpine hut standards, with a half-litre of beer typically costing €4–€5.

Gear & Packing List

With 1,235 m of ascent concentrated over 11.8 km, Stage A47 demands more from your kit than a typical valley walk. Conditions at the Bergstation can differ dramatically from Marquartstein at the start — pack a wind and rain shell, a warm mid-layer, and sun protection even on days that look settled from the valley floor. Weather over the Kampenwand changes fast.

A pack of 25–45 litres is ideal for this day-stage or an overnight stop. The Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 is a well-proven choice for Alpine day-stages, with a padded hipbelt and ventilated back panel well-suited to this terrain. For a multi-day Via Alpina traverse carrying gear for hut nights, the Osprey Aether 65 handles heavier loads with ease on this type of mixed Alpine terrain. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 offers a versatile middle ground — enough capacity for an overnight but light enough to move efficiently on the steep ascent. For more options across all weight categories, see our Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 guide.

Essential items for Stage A47:

• Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support — the Raffen section involves loose limestone and uneven rock steps
• Trekking poles, strongly recommended for the 1,235 m ascent and for joint protection on the descent to the cable car
• At least 2 litres of water; the Steinlingalm mid-route can refill bottles
• Wind and rain shell jacket — conditions change rapidly above 1,200 m on the Kampenwand approach
• Warm insulating mid-layer (fleece or down) for the exposed upper section and the shaded cable car descent
• Sun hat, sunscreen SPF 50+, and UV sunglasses — UV intensity at altitude is significantly higher than at valley level
• Emergency whistle, basic first-aid kit, and a charged phone with offline maps downloaded for the upper section
• Trail snacks and a packed lunch — a sustained 1,235 m ascent burns significantly more calories than a flat day hike; read our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to plan your food right

Similar Trails You Might Like

If Stage A47 has whetted your appetite for International Walking Network routes across Germany, the European E-path system offers further multi-day traverses of comparable grandeur. For a Rhine valley contrast to Chiemgau limestone, the Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8 in Rheinland-Pfalz and the E8 in Nordrhein-Westfalen trace Germany's western edge through wine country and forested river valleys on entirely different terrain. For hikers drawn to the open landscapes of northern Germany, the E11 in Sachsen-Anhalt (West), E11 in Sachsen-Anhalt (East), and E11 in Brandenburg cross the glacial lake-and-heath landscapes of central Germany at a gentler but no less rewarding pace. For an Alpine border-crossing experience further afield, the Theth to Valbona hike in the Albanian Alps delivers dramatic mountain scenery in one of Europe's most exciting emerging hiking destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike Via Alpina Purple A47?
September is the single best month. High-pressure systems are more persistent than in summer, the July–August crowds have thinned, Alpine colours are at their most vivid, and visibility across the Chiemsee and the Austrian Alps is typically at its sharpest. The trail is reliably snow-free from late May through October in most years, making June through September all viable windows, with September standing clearly apart.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Purple A47?
Stage A47 is rated Grade II (difficult) by the official Via Alpina route authority, appropriate for hikers with Alpine experience. The 1,235 m of ascent over 11.8 km demands solid cardiovascular fitness, and the Raffen section involves scrambling on loose limestone. Hikers new to the Alps should be comfortable on steep, uneven terrain and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions on the upper Kampenwand sections.

How far do you walk per day on Via Alpina Purple A47?
Stage A47 covers 11.8 km and takes most hikers between 4.5 and 5.5 hours of active walking. Although modest in distance, the 1,235 m of ascent makes this one of the most demanding single-day stages in the German section of the Via Alpina. Most hikers pace 2.0–2.5 km per hour on steep Alpine terrain, which naturally accounts for the gradient and any time spent at the Steinlingalm rest stop.

Where do you sleep on the Via Alpina Purple A47?
Most hikers sleep in Marquartstein before starting, with guesthouses from approximately €55 per person per night. At the stage end, the Kampenwandhaus near the Bergstation offers dormitory accommodation at €35–€50 per person — book ahead for July and August. Alternatively, a 10-minute cable car descent to Aschau im Chiemgau opens up a wider selection of hotels at €60–€110 per night, which is the more common choice for hikers not continuing on the Via Alpina.

Do you need a permit to hike Via Alpina Purple A47?
No permit is required. The waymarked route crosses farmland and the Kampenwand Nature Reserve under Bavaria's standard public-access rights and is free to walk at any time during the open season. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a lead through farmland and Alm sections. The only cost is the optional Kampenwandbahn cable car descent to Aschau im Chiemgau, at approximately €10–€14 one-way.