Via Alpina Purple A60

The Via Alpina Purple A60 is a 28.4-km point-to-point stage in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, gaining 953 m of elevation over approximately 7.5 hours of hiking. Rated Grade II (moderate to strenuous), it runs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen through the limestone Ammergebirge to Schloss Linderhof — King Ludwig II's most intimate and fully finished royal palace.

About the Via Alpina Purple A60

The Via Alpina is one of Europe's most ambitious long-distance hiking networks, linking eight defined routes across the full sweep of the Alps. The Purple Trail — the longest and most celebrated of them all — runs 2,622 km in 66 stages from Trieste on the Adriatic coast to Oberstdorf in Germany's Allgäu Alps, threading through Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Germany. It is classed as an International Walking Network (IWN) route, one of the world's most significant long-distance footpaths.

Stage A60 is the 60th of those 66 stages, placing it deep in the final German chapter of this trans-Alpine crossing. Beginning at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (705 m), the route winds north-west through the reed-fringed Pflegersee lake basin, climbs steeply into the limestone heights of the Ammergebirge (Ammer Alps), crosses the high pastoral zone above Elmaugrieß, and descends to Linderhof (920 m) — a hamlet made world-famous by its palace. At 28.4 km with 953 m of ascent and 722 m of descent, A60 is a full, demanding mountain day that rewards with some of the finest Bavarian Alpine scenery on the entire Purple Trail.

The surrounding landscape falls within the Ammergauer Alpen Nature Reserve, a protected area exceeding 28,000 hectares of limestone peaks, alpine meadows, and beech forest. Wildlife encounters — chamois, red deer, and occasionally golden eagle — are routine above the tree line. The trail is waymarked with distinctive purple diamond blazes supplemented by white-red-white Alpine Club markers on the more technical ridge sections.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below breaks Stage A60 into its four natural walking sections. Cumulative distance is measured from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Total: 28.4 km | 953 m elevation gain | 722 m elevation loss | ~7 h 35 min | Grade II

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Garmisch-Partenkirchen — Germany's premier Alpine resort and the trail start, host of the 1936 Winter Olympics. The old Partenkirchen quarter preserves medieval Lüftlmalerei (fresco-painted facade) townhouses and the Werdenfels Museum. The Zugspitze cable car departs from here, ascending to Germany's highest point at 2,962 m — a worthwhile acclimatisation day before Stage A60.
• Pflegersee — A reed-fringed glacial lake 3 km west of Garmisch, backed by the Zugspitze massif. On calm mornings the reflections are exceptional. In summer, locals swim from the eastern bank and kayak the lake's western shallows.
• Ammergebirge ridgeline (~1,600–1,800 m) — The defining physical challenge of A60. Limestone karst opens panoramic views across the Zugspitze, Karwendel range, and Allgäu Alps. Chamois frequent the rocky outcrops; bearded vultures (Lammergeier), now re-establishing in Bavaria after a century-long absence, are occasionally spotted riding thermals above the ridge.
• Elmaugrieß high pastures (~1,400–1,500 m) — A broad plateau where Arnica montana, mountain gentians, and globe thistle carpet the ground in early July. Farmers still practise transhumance here, driving cattle to these summer pastures each May — a centuries-old tradition in the Ammer Alps.
• Graswang Valley — The descent route drops into this pastoral corridor of dairy farms, wooden chapels, and clear trout streams. Ludwig II favoured the valley long before commissioning the palace, and the serene atmosphere is largely unchanged from his era.
• Schloss Linderhof — Completed in 1878, this is the smallest of Ludwig II's three castles and the only one he finished during his lifetime. Its gilded state rooms, Hall of Mirrors (modelled on Versailles), and Moorish Kiosk draw over 500,000 visitors annually. The Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung manages the site; adult admission is €12 (2026).
• Venus Grotto — Ludwig II commissioned this theatrical underground cave in 1876, featuring an artificial lake, a gilded shell-shaped boat, and one of Europe's earliest large-scale electrical colour-lighting systems (powered by 24 dynamos). It remains one of the most surreal trail endpoints in Germany.
• Via Alpina waymarking — Purple diamond blazes are painted at regular intervals throughout the stage; junction signs list the next waypoint and estimated walking time rather than GPS distances, in keeping with the trail's analogue Alpine heritage.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A60

The stage is reliably open from late June to mid-September. Snow can linger on the Ammergebirge crossing above 1,500 m well into June and may return from late September onward. Outside this window, the route becomes hazardous for standard hiking gear.

July is the single best month. As of 2026, snowmelt in this sector typically clears by 20–25 June in an average year, leaving firm trail surfaces on the karst ridge. Daytime temperatures in Garmisch average 18–22 °C, dropping to 8–12 °C on the high ridge. Daylight stretches to nearly 21 hours; the wildflower display on Elmaugrieß peaks in the first two weeks of the month; and hut reservations — while necessary — remain easier to secure than in August.

August is almost as good but draws peak visitor numbers at Schloss Linderhof and heavier competition for hut beds — book 3–4 weeks ahead. May and early June suit experienced hikers comfortable with snow-patch navigation; carry micro-spikes and allow extra time above 1,500 m. Avoid the route between late October and mid-June without crampons and an ice axe.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (trail start): The town covers every budget tier. The DJH Jugendherberge offers dorm beds from ~€30/night. Mid-range Gasthöfe on Zugspitzstraße and around Marienplatz run €60–95/night. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for July–August — the town fills fast during peak season.

Rauhkopfhütte (mid-stage, ~1,655 m): The principal DAV mountain hut along the stage, approximately 12 km from Garmisch. Dormitory (Matratzenlager) bunks cost ~€22–28/night; half-board is ~€45–55 per person. The menu runs to Brotzeit platters, Gulasch, and Kaiserschmarrn. DAV members receive an €8–10 nightly discount. Advance reservation is essential in July–August.

Linderhof / Graswang / Oberammergau (trail end): The Graswang valley has several Gasthöfe at €55–80/night. Oberammergau (10 km by road) offers a wider hotel range; Ettal village (15 km) adds the landmark Ettal Monastery Gasthof. A taxi from Linderhof to Oberammergau costs approximately €15.

Getting There & Back

To Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Bayerische Oberlandbahn (BOB) trains depart Munich Hauptbahnhof roughly hourly; journey time is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. The Bayern-Ticket (€29/day, valid for up to 5 people) covers this route. Munich Airport (MUC) connects to Munich Hbf via the S8 S-Bahn line in approximately 45 minutes.

From Linderhof: There is no railway station at Linderhof. RVO Bus line 9622 runs Linderhof → Oberammergau (journey ~20 minutes, roughly hourly in summer). From Oberammergau, connections via Murnau am Staffelsee reach Munich Hauptbahnhof in approximately 2–2.5 hours. Budget ~3 hours total for the return journey to Munich.

Permits & Fees

• Via Alpina A60: No hiking permit required. The trail is free to walk.
• Schloss Linderhof: €12 adult / €9 reduced / free under 18 (2026). Combined palace + Venus Grotto + Moroccan House ticket ~€16. Hours: 09:00–18:00 April–October.
• Ammergauer Alpen Nature Reserve: Free access. Wild camping and open fires are prohibited throughout the reserve.
• DAV membership: €68/year adult (2026), saving €8–10/night at DAV huts — worthwhile for anyone walking multiple Purple Trail stages.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A60 is a demanding mountain day: 28.4 km, nearly 1,000 m of ascent, and terrain ranging from valley tracks and forest paths to open limestone ridge. Pack for full weather exposure and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms in July–August.

• Footwear: Stiff-soled mountain hiking boots with ankle support for the Ammergebirge ridge section. Trail runners are adequate for experienced hikers in dry summer conditions.
• Backpack: A 20–35 L daypack for day walkers; 45–65 L for multi-day thru-hikers carrying overnight kit. The Osprey Aether 65 handles heavy loads with exceptional hip-belt transfer on the long descent into Linderhof. For a slightly lighter European-made alternative with excellent torso adjustability, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 is a strong choice. Ultralight thru-hikers tackling all 66 Purple Trail stages should consider the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L, which carries full multi-day loads at under 600 g pack weight.
• Layers: Waterproof hard-shell, insulating mid-layer (fleece or light down), and a UV-protective sun shirt. Wind chill on the exposed Ammergebirge ridge is significant even in midsummer; temperatures can drop 10 °C within minutes as cloud rolls in from the west.
• Navigation: Download the A60 GPX track from via-alpina.org before departure — mobile signal is unreliable above 1,500 m. Kompass map sheet 6 (1:25,000 Garmisch-Partenkirchen) is the recommended paper backup for the ridge section.
• Food & water: Carry at least 2 L of water capacity; fill in Garmisch before departure. Natural springs exist on the Ammergebirge approach but treat all backcountry water. A 28 km stage with 953 m of gain burns approximately 2,800–3,500 kcal for an average adult — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you calibrate your food carry precisely for mountain terrain.
• Trekking poles: Strongly recommended for the 722 m descent into Linderhof, which places sustained load on the knees over the final kilometres. For complementary pack-weight strategies across the full Purple Trail, see our 2026 ultralight backpack guide — seven packs tested and ranked.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Germany's Fernwanderwege (long-distance footpaths) follow the same waymarked, hut-serviced model as the Via Alpina, making it straightforward to extend an Alpine walking trip into the broader European trail network. The E-routes below pass through varied German landscapes far beyond the Bavarian Alps, from the Rhine gorges to the Brandenburg lake district.

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — Part of the 4,390 km E8 running from Ireland to Istanbul, the Rhineland-Palatinate section crosses Rhine gorges, Eifel highlands, and Mosel wine country.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — The North Rhine-Westphalia leg winds through the volcanic Eifel and the forested Sauerland uplands.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — Western section of the 2,070 km E11, crossing the Harz highlands and the dramatic Bode valley.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — Eastern Saxony-Anhalt section across the Elbe plain and Elbe-Saale confluence zone.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — Brandenburg's eastern E11 stretch through pine forests, glacial lakes, and the Spreewald biosphere reserve.

For an international Alpine comparison at similar intensity, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers equally dramatic mountain scenery in a wilder, far less-crowded setting — a compelling next destination for hikers who have already walked the German Alps.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Purple A60?

Late June to mid-September is the reliable hiking window, with July as the single best month. By late June, snow typically clears from the Ammergebirge crossing above 1,500 m; trail surfaces firm up and alpine wildflowers peak on Elmaugrieß. Daytime temperatures in Garmisch average 18–22 °C. Avoid the route before mid-June without micro-spikes; early-autumn snowfall is possible on the ridge from late September onward.

How difficult is Stage A60 of the Via Alpina?

The stage is rated Grade II on the Via Alpina difficulty scale — moderate to moderately strenuous. The 28.4 km distance combined with 953 m of ascent makes it a full, demanding mountain day of approximately 7.5 hours. Terrain includes forest path, open limestone karst ridge, and alpine meadow track. No technical climbing is required, but sturdy mountain boots, solid navigation skills, and good cardiovascular fitness are essential before attempting this stage.

How many kilometres per day should I plan for on A60?

Stage A60 covers 28.4 km as a single day, above the Purple Trail average of approximately 20–22 km per stage. Most fit hikers complete it in 7–8 hours including short rest breaks. An unofficial split using the Rauhkopfhütte (~12 km from Garmisch, ~1,655 m) as a midpoint overnight divides the day into 12 km and 16.4 km sections — a good option if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want extra time at Schloss Linderhof.

Where can I stay along and at the end of Stage A60?

The primary trail accommodation is the DAV Rauhkopfhütte at ~1,655 m, roughly 12 km from Garmisch. Dormitory bunks cost approximately €22–28/night (DAV members save €8–10). At the trail end, Graswang valley (2 km from Linderhof) and Oberammergau (10 km by road) offer guesthouses at €55–80/night. Book all mountain and valley accommodation 4–6 weeks in advance for July and August.

Do I need any permits or pay fees to hike Via Alpina A60?

No hiking permit is required, and trail access is free. The Ammergauer Alpen Nature Reserve prohibits wild camping and open fires but charges no entry fee. Visiting Schloss Linderhof at the trail end costs €12 adult (combined palace and Venus Grotto ticket ~€16) in 2026. DAV hut access is open to all hikers; annual DAV membership (€68 in 2026) earns an €8–10 nightly discount — worthwhile for multi-stage walkers.