Via Alpina Purple A51

The Via Alpina Purple A51 is an 8.5-kilometre point-to-point trail in the Bavarian Alps of southern Germany, gaining 932 m of elevation from the Inn Valley town of Oberaudorf (484 m) to the Brünnsteinhaus mountain lodge at 1,337 m. Graded difficulty II, this compact day stage on the Via Alpina Purple Trail pairs shady forest paths and a wildly romantic valley with a steep, exhilarating final ascent — one of the finest Prealpine approaches in Bavaria.

About the Via Alpina Purple A51

The Via Alpina is one of Europe's most ambitious long-distance hiking networks, weaving a series of colour-coded routes across the entire Alpine arc. The Purple Trail — stages A1 through A66 — stretches approximately 2,600 km and crosses five countries: Monaco, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Stage A51 sits near the end of the German section, rising from the scenic Inn Valley into the heart of the Chiemgau Alps. As an International Walking Network (IWN) route, the trail is coordinated by the Via Alpina association and signed throughout with the distinctive purple-on-white diamond, making navigation errors genuinely rare.

The route connects Oberaudorf — a traditional Bavarian village on the Inn River — to the Brünnsteinhaus, a well-appointed alpine hut in the Chiemgau Alps. The net elevation change of +841 m (932 m ascent, 91 m descent) makes this a physically honest stage. Yet its short 8.5 km length means fit hikers complete it in just over three hours. Those who prefer a gentler warm-up can ride the Hocheck chairlift to skip the steepest lower forest section entirely.

What makes A51 memorable is the variety packed into such a short distance. From Oberaudorf the trail climbs through broadleaf and conifer forest, opens briefly onto the Hocheck plateau with glacier views across the Inn Valley, then drops into the sheltered Brünntal valley — mossy boulders, rushing meltwater, and fern-draped cliffs. From there, the path steepens sharply for the final push to the Brünnsteinhaus. That last section is steep and rocky, demanding proper footwear and steady legs, but the terrace view across the Bavarian Prealps with the Central Alps shimmering beyond repays every step.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A51 is a single-day ascent. Most hikers either return to Oberaudorf by the same path or overnight at the Brünnsteinhaus and continue on subsequent Via Alpina stages the next morning. The route divides naturally into three sections:

Total walking time is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes at a steady pace, excluding rest stops. The 91 m of descent occurs on the drop from the Hocheck plateau into the Brünntal valley floor — a welcome leg-saver before the steep finale. After rainfall, the valley section turns muddy and the stepping stones across the Brünnbach stream become slippery. Trekking poles and waterproof trail boots are strongly recommended in those conditions.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Oberaudorf village (484 m) — The trailhead village is a postcard-perfect Bavarian settlement with painted Lüftlmalerei façades, an ornate parish church, and an inviting riverside path along the Inn. Arriving the evening before allows time to explore and an early start the next morning.
• Hocheck chairlift — The Hocheck Sessellift whisks riders from the valley floor to approximately 940 m, cutting around 460 m of climbing and 45–60 minutes from the ascent. It typically operates from late May through October; confirm opening hours at the Oberaudorf tourist office before relying on it.
• Hocheck plateau (~940 m) — An open alpine meadow bursting with wildflowers from June onward. The plateau delivers sweeping views south across the Inn Valley to the Wilder Kaiser massif and north toward the Rosenheim plain. A natural midway rest point with a bench and orientation board.
• Gletscherblick summit cross (~960 m) — A short signed detour from the main Via Alpina route reaches this aptly named summit cross ("Glacier View"). On clear days the Zillertal and Kitzbüheler Alps glaciers are visible to the south — one of the most rewarding 20-minute side-trips in the Bavarian Prealps.
• Brünntal valley — Described by Via Alpina route editors as "wildly romantic," this sheltered valley carries the Brünnbach stream through ancient moss-covered boulders, hanging fern gardens, and mixed forest largely undisturbed for centuries. It is the atmospheric heart of the stage.
• Final rocky ascent — The last 500 vertical metres to the Brünnsteinhaus demand careful footwork on a path that narrows and steepens to 30–35°. This is exactly the kind of purposeful Alpine challenge that distinguishes the Via Alpina from easier lowland long-distance routes — rewarding precisely because it asks something of you.
• Brünnsteinhaus (1,337 m) — A DAV hut with over a century of history. The south-facing terrace looks directly across to the Wendelstein (1,838 m) and catches afternoon sun brilliantly. Cold Bavarian beer, hearty Brotzeit platters, and warm Germknödel await after the climb.
• Brünnstein summit option (1,619 m) — From the hut a further 40-minute climb adds 282 m of gain and delivers a 360° panorama: Inn Valley, Chiemsee, and — on exceptional visibility days — the distant Dolomites. A worthy extension for anyone with energy to spare.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A51

Stage A51 is a three-season trail, typically accessible from late May through mid-October. Snow can persist on the upper slopes into May, and the Brünnsteinhaus generally closes for winter in late October or early November.

June is spectacular for wildflowers on the Hocheck plateau and offers cool temperatures on the ascent, but afternoon thunderstorms are frequent — aim to reach the Brünnsteinhaus before noon by starting at 7 a.m. July and August bring the most reliable settled weather and the longest daylight hours; demand for hut beds peaks sharply, so advance booking is non-negotiable. September strikes the ideal balance: stable high-pressure systems dominate Bavaria, the larch trees above the treeline turn gold, crowds thin after the German school holidays, and temperatures on the summit terrace hover around 14–18 °C. October offers the quietest trails and crisp autumn air, but storm risk rises and early snowfall can make the rocky final section hazardous.

As of 2026, the single best month to hike Stage A51 is September. Visibility is at its sharpest, the Gletscherblick detour earns its name, and the Brünnsteinhaus terrace is a genuinely peaceful place to sit and watch the Bavarian Alps go golden.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Brünnsteinhaus is the natural overnight stop, run by the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) and maintained to the high standards expected of a flagship Sektion Rosenheim hut. Options include:

• Matratzenlager (dormitory bunk beds) — approximately 22–28 EUR per person per night, basic bedding included
• Mehrbettzimmer (shared rooms, 2–4 berths) — approximately 32–42 EUR per person per night
• DAV member discount — members of any UIAA-affiliated Alpine Club receive a 30–50% reduction; a DAV membership pays for itself quickly for regular Alpine hikers
• Half-board — dinner and breakfast packages are available; expect Leberknödelsuppe, Kaiserschmarrn, and regional cheeses alongside more substantial mountain fare

Reservations are essential from late June through August and on any summer weekend. There is no camping area at the hut; the nearest legal camping is in the Oberaudorf valley below.

Getting There & Back

Oberaudorf sits on the Inn Valley railway (Inntalstrecke) between Munich and Kufstein, making it one of the most public-transport-friendly trailheads in the Bavarian Alps:

• From Munich Hauptbahnhof — Regional Express or Regionalzug direct to Oberaudorf; approximately 55–65 minutes, trains roughly every 30 minutes during daytime hours
• From Salzburg Hauptbahnhof — change at Rosenheim or Kufstein; total journey approximately 50–60 minutes
• From Munich Airport (MUC) — S-Bahn S8 to Munich city centre, then Regional Express to Oberaudorf; total approximately 100–110 minutes
• By car — Oberaudorf is just off Autobahn A93 (Munich–Innsbruck), exit Oberaudorf; approximately 70 km (50 minutes) from Munich. Parkplatz Süd near the trailhead charges approximately 4–6 EUR per day

The return from the Brünnsteinhaus follows the ascent route back to Oberaudorf (allow 2 hours for the descent), where trains depart regularly for Munich and Salzburg.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required. The route crosses no restricted nature reserves and carries no trail access fee. The optional Hocheck chairlift charges approximately 12–16 EUR for a single-ascent ticket — verify current prices at the lift station. Hut accommodation fees are as listed above. DAV members save significantly on overnight stays. There are no national park entry charges on this stage.

Gear & Packing List

The rocky, steep final 500 vertical metres and the potential for muddy conditions in the Brünntal valley demand footwear with firm ankle support and genuine grip. A light pack keeps the 932-metre climb manageable: for a single-day ascent aim for under 8 kg all-in; for an overnight at the Brünnsteinhaus a 30–45-litre pack is the sweet spot.

Recommended packs for this trail:

• Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 — the extended torso fit and aluminium stay handle steep ascents comfortably; the +10 litre extension is useful for overnight hut trips with a change of clothes and sleeping bag liner
• Osprey Aether 65 — if you plan to continue along multiple Via Alpina Purple Trail stages, the larger capacity and load-transfer hipbelt make longer-haul carrying far more comfortable across successive days
• Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider — for ultralight day hikers who want to move fast on the ascent without sacrificing weatherproofing in Bavaria's changeable mountain weather

Beyond a well-fitted pack, the essentials for Stage A51 include waterproof trail or approach boots (ankle support is critical on the rocky final section), trekking poles (invaluable on the wet valley stones and steep descent), a windproof midlayer and waterproof shell (Bavarian Prealpine weather turns rapidly), and at least 2 litres of water — there is no reliable fill point between Oberaudorf and the hut. For a data-backed breakdown of fuelling a full alpine day, see how many calories you need hiking a full day.

If this stage opens an appetite for multi-day Via Alpina traverses, the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 covers seven packs tested on exactly these kinds of demanding alpine approaches — worth reading before choosing a pack for a longer Purple Trail section.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If Stage A51 has sparked an appetite for long-distance European waymarked hiking, Germany offers further iconic international routes with very different characters. The Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8 follows the Alps and Danube corridor across southern Germany, while the E11 traverses the northern German lowlands from the Dutch border east toward Poland — a flat, forested counterpoint to the Bavarian Prealps. For a high-mountain challenge further afield, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania delivers comparable remote alpine drama at a fraction of the cost and crowds.

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — 4,390 km, Germany
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — 4,390 km, Germany
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — 2,070 km, Germany
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — 2,070 km, Germany
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — 2,070 km, Germany

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Via Alpina Purple A51?

The trail is open from late May to late October. September is the single best month: stable high-pressure weather dominates Bavaria, temperatures on the Hocheck plateau and Brünnsteinhaus terrace are comfortable at 14–18 °C, autumn colour adds drama to the forest and valley sections, and crowds thin noticeably after German school holidays end. Avoid the route whenever snow is forecast above 1,000 m.

How difficult is Stage A51, and do I need Alpine experience?

The stage is rated difficulty II, suitable for fit day hikers with proper footwear and basic mountain awareness. No technical climbing or fixed-rope experience is required. The most demanding section is the steep, rocky 500-metre final ascent to the Brünnsteinhaus. Anyone comfortable walking on uneven terrain and confident on a gradient will find this stage very manageable in dry conditions; wet rock calls for extra care.

How far is it and how many kilometres should I expect to cover?

Stage A51 covers 8.5 km with 932 m of total elevation gain. The ascent from Oberaudorf to the Brünnsteinhaus takes approximately 3 hours 15 minutes at a moderate pace. Hikers who take the Hocheck chairlift can reduce the route to roughly 5 km and shave 45–60 minutes from the ascent. This is a single-day stage, not a multi-day route, though most hikers overnight at the hut before continuing.

Where do I sleep on the Via Alpina Purple A51?

The Brünnsteinhaus (1,337 m) — a DAV-run alpine hut at the end of the stage — is the overnight stop. Dormitory beds cost approximately 22–28 EUR per night; shared rooms run 32–42 EUR. Half-board (dinner and breakfast) is available and recommended. Book well in advance for July and August: the hut fills quickly on weekends and throughout the German school holiday period.

Do I need permits or pay any fees to hike Stage A51?

No hiking permit is required. The route is open to the public and crosses no restricted zones. The optional Hocheck chairlift charges approximately 12–16 EUR for a single-ascent ticket. Overnight accommodation fees apply at the Brünnsteinhaus; DAV Alpine Club members receive a significant reduction of 30–50%. There are no national park or nature reserve entry fees anywhere along this stage.