Via Alpina Purple A62

The Via Alpina Purple A62 is a 22.1-kilometre point-to-point hiking stage in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, descending 1,256 m from Kenzenhütte (1,322 m) to the historic town of Füssen (808 m) while gaining 751 m of elevation over roughly 6 hours and 20 minutes of walking. Rated Level II (moderate-challenging), it is the signature German stage of the Via Alpina Purple Trail, sweeping past isolated alpine cirques and the iconic Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles before arriving at the medieval heart of Füssen.

About the Via Alpina Purple A62

Stage A62 sits within the Via Alpina Purple Trail (Route A), the longest of the five Via Alpina long-distance routes crossing the Alps. Spanning 2,624 km across six Alpine nations — Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and France — the Purple Trail runs from Trieste on the Adriatic coast to Monaco on the Mediterranean, divided into 66 hiking stages. Stage A62 is one of the final two German stages, positioned deep in the Bavarian Alps where the route transitions from the wilder Ammergau Alps into the cultural foothills of the Allgäu.

From Kenzenhütte at 1,322 m, the route descends through the dramatic limestone cirques of the Halblechtal before tracing a historic path once walked by Bavarian royalty through Bleckenau — the private hunting grounds of King Maximilian II. The final kilometres deliver one of hiking's great theatrical arrivals: the twin silhouettes of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles rising from forested spurs above the shimmering Alpsee, before the trail drops into the Baroque streets of medieval Füssen on the Lech River.

The stage's character is deliberately transitional. The first 7 km are genuinely alpine: steep descents on loose limestone, the silence of a valley that draws a fraction of the tourist numbers attracted to the castles 15 km away. The middle section becomes progressively pastoral as the route crosses Bleckenau's royal meadows. The final 5 km join well-worn tourist paths approaching the castle area before the riverside walk into Füssen. This compression — high alpine wilderness to world-heritage cultural landscape within a single day — makes A62 one of the most satisfying stages on the full Purple Trail.

Via Alpina grades Stage A62 at Level II (moderate-challenging). The difficulty is concentrated in the upper Halblechtal descent where the path is steep and occasionally loose underfoot. Trekking poles are strongly recommended. Hikers with alpine day-hike experience and waterproof boots with ankle support will find the full stage challenging but entirely achievable; no technical scrambling or fixed ropes are involved.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A62 covers 22.1 km with 751 m of cumulative elevation gain and 1,256 m of elevation loss, for a net descent of 514 m between Kenzenhütte (1,322 m) and Füssen (808 m). Published walking time from Via Alpina is 6 hours and 20 minutes at a steady hiking pace. The four natural segments below divide the route by terrain type and key waypoints.

Kenzenhütte (1,322 m) is both the overnight base for the stage and its jumping-off point. Bleckenau (approx. 860 m) marks the transition from alpine to pastoral terrain. The viewpoint at Marienbrücke (956 m) — the iron bridge above the Pöllat Gorge — offers the most famous angle on Neuschwanstein and rewards a short 400 m detour from the main trail. Füssen (808 m) is the stage endpoint: a Baroque market town with medieval streets, the High Castle (Hohes Schloss), and full transport connections.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Kenzenhütte (1,322 m) — A DAV (Deutscher Alpenverein) mountain hut with 80 sleeping spaces at the foot of the Zugspitzgruppe massif, Kenzenhütte is the natural overnight base before Stage A62. The morning view east across the Ammergau Alps from the hut terrace rewards the early start required on this stage.
• Halblechtal Cirques — The upper Halblechtal is a series of glacially carved limestone bowls flanked by rock walls rising 400–500 m. This section of Stage A62 draws only a fraction of the visitor numbers attracted to the nearby castles, giving the first 5 km a sense of genuine remoteness despite being just 30 km from Munich's commuter belt.
• Bleckenau Royal Hunting Estate (approx. 860 m) — King Maximilian II of Bavaria acquired Bleckenau in 1843 as a private retreat. His son, Crown Prince Ludwig, made formative childhood visits here — the forested hunting grounds directly inspired the location choice for Neuschwanstein, commissioned in 1869 just 10 km away.
• Tegelberg (1,730 m) — optional spur — A 2.5-km detour from the main trail climbs 500 m to the Tegelberg cable car station, rewarding the effort with panoramic views across the Allgäu Alps and, on clear days, the Zugspitze (2,962 m) to the northeast. The cable car provides a convenient descent to Schwangau for hikers with tired legs.
• Neuschwanstein Castle — Commissioned by Ludwig II in 1869 and now receiving 1.4 million visitors per year, Neuschwanstein is approached from above on Stage A62, offering a perspective that coach-tour visitors never see. The trail traces the Pöllat Gorge below the castle's eastern face before emerging at the Marienbrücke viewpoint.
• Hohenschwangau Castle — The yellow Neo-Gothic castle directly below Neuschwanstein was rebuilt by Crown Prince Maximilian (later Maximilian II) in the 1830s. Ludwig II grew up inside these walls, surrounded by swan-knight murals that gave Neuschwanstein its name. Seen together from the trail, the two castles define the visual centrepiece of this stage.
• Alpsee (774 m) — This 1.8-km-long glacial lake sits immediately below both castles. The Via Alpina trail traces the northern shoreline; in summer the water temperature reaches 18–20°C and swimming is permitted. The reflections of Hohenschwangau in the calm morning water are among the most photographed views in Bavaria.
• Füssen Altstadt (808 m) — The medieval old town of Füssen preserves a Benedictine monastery (St. Mang Abbey, founded 747 AD), the High Castle (Hohes Schloss) above the Lech River, and a streetscape of well-maintained Baroque facades. It is the final destination of Stage A62 and the de facto end of the German section of the Purple Trail.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A62

The hiking season for Stage A62 runs from mid-June to mid-October, governed by snowmelt conditions at Kenzenhütte and the likelihood of stable afternoon weather in the Ammergau Alps.

June (mid–late): Snow usually clears from Kenzenhütte by the second week of June, though the upper Halblechtal descent may retain icy patches on north-facing slopes. Wildflowers peak in late June and the alpine meadows around Bleckenau are at their most vivid. Expect temperatures of 15–20°C in Füssen and 5–10°C overnight at the hut.

July–August: Peak season. The castle area draws 20,000 or more visitors daily in August; the trail between the castle car parks and Füssen is genuinely crowded. Afternoon thunderstorms develop regularly by 2 pm — start by 7:30 am to clear lower ground before lightning risk builds. Accommodation in Füssen and Kenzenhütte requires advance booking, often weeks out.

September — the single best month: Visitor numbers drop sharply after school holidays end in late August. Weather remains stable with temperatures of 12–18°C in Füssen, autumn colour begins in the Halblechtal, and afternoon thunderstorm frequency decreases. As of 2026, Kenzenhütte closes on approximately 20 October, leaving September comfortably within the open season with near-ideal conditions. This is the month to go.

October: Possible for experienced alpine hikers but requires flexibility. The hut closes by mid-to-late October and an early snowfall can render the upper limestone descent slippery. Carry microspikes as a precaution if hiking after 5 October.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Kenzenhütte (1,322 m) is a DAV mountain hut with approximately 80 sleeping spaces across dormitories and private rooms. Nightly rates are approximately €30–38 for DAV members and €43–52 for non-members; half-board (dinner and breakfast) adds €18–22. Advance reservation is essential between late June and mid-September and opens via the DAV Hüttenfinder portal.

In Füssen, accommodation ranges from budget Pension guesthouses (from €65/night) to four-star hotels overlooking the Lech River (€150–220/night). The Jugendherberge Füssen (DJH youth hostel) offers dormitory beds from €30 including breakfast — the most practical option for through-hikers. Camping Hopfensee, 4 km north of Füssen on Hopfensee lake, has pitches from €20/night.

Schwangau, 4 km before Füssen on the trail, offers a cluster of family-run Gasthöfe and Pension properties at €70–130/night — a quieter alternative to the busier town centre.

Getting There & Back

To the start (Kenzenhütte): Kenzenhütte is reached on foot from the village of Halblech (population approx. 1,200) via a waymarked forest path of approximately 8 km and 700 m ascent, taking around 2.5 hours. Halblech is served by RVO bus line 9606 from Füssen Bahnhof. By car, Halblech is 42 km from Füssen and approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Munich city centre.

From the end (Füssen): Füssen Bahnhof is connected to Munich Hauptbahnhof by Deutsche Bahn regional train (RE57), taking 1 hour 55 minutes with services running roughly hourly. The Bayern-Ticket (€29 for a single traveller, valid all day) covers the complete journey including connecting RVO buses. Munich Airport (MUC) is 120 km from Füssen; Innsbruck Airport (INN) in Austria is 75 km away.

Permits & Fees

No trail permit or park entry fee is required to hike Stage A62. The route passes through Ammergauer Alpen nature park, where access is free and unrestricted year-round. Visiting the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle requires a timed-entry ticket (€15 adults, €13 reduced as of 2026), bookable in advance at the official ticket centre in Hohenschwangau village or on the official Neuschwanstein Castle website. The castle exterior, the Pöllat Gorge path and the Marienbrücke viewpoint are all free to access — no ticket is required to walk Stage A62 past the castle.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A62 requires standard alpine day-hiking equipment. The Halblechtal descent involves 400–500 m of steep, occasionally loose limestone terrain where robust footwear is non-negotiable. Pack for rapid weather changes: the Ammergau Alps generate localised thunderstorms quickly in summer.

Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots with stiff midsoles and ankle support. Trail runners are marginal for the upper Halblechtal in wet or post-rain conditions and not recommended for through-hikers carrying a loaded pack.

Backpack: For a supported through-hike with hut luggage, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 delivers excellent load transfer for multi-day alpine stages. Through-hikers carrying camping gear will value the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L for its exceptional weight-to-volume ratio across all 66 Purple Trail stages. Day-hikers shuttling a vehicle to Füssen and starting light can rely on the Osprey Aether 65 for a comfortable mixed alpine-to-town kit.

Layering: Overnight temperatures at Kenzenhütte regularly drop below 5°C even in July. A 250-weight fleece and a waterproof shell are the minimum. The descent to Füssen can reach 25°C in July–August, so breathable fabrics are essential across the full elevation range.

Navigation: Download the offline GPX track before leaving the hut — mobile signal is intermittent through the Halblechtal. The Purple Trail is waymarked with a purple diamond blaze on wooden posts; cairns supplement the blazes in the upper valley where the path is less defined.

A 22.1-km mountain stage with 751 m of gain burns 2,800–3,500 kcal for most hikers. Read our guide on how many calories you need on a full hiking day to dial in your food carry from the hut. If you are planning the complete Purple Trail, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks in 2026 covers seven tested options that will cut base weight across all 66 stages.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If Stage A62 of the Via Alpina Purple Trail appeals, you likely enjoy long-distance European walking routes that pair mountain terrain with cultural landmarks. Germany's network of European Fernwanderwege offers several routes of comparable scope and waymarking quality, including paths through Rhine gorges, Harz mountain forests, and Brandenburg lakelands:

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — 4,390 km traversing western Germany's wine country and Rhine gorge landscapes
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — the northern E8 section through the Eifel highlands and Sauerland hill country
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — 2,070 km reaching the Harz mountains and Elbe lowlands of central Germany
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — the eastern Sachsen-Anhalt section passing through Reformation-era historic towns
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — traverses the Brandenburg lakeland and Spreewald biosphere reserve en route to Berlin

For a shorter but equally dramatic point-to-point alpine crossing, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania delivers remote Dinaric Alps scenery on a single-day crossing of comparable physical intensity to Stage A62.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike Via Alpina Purple Stage A62?

September is the single best month. Visitor numbers at the castle area drop sharply after school holidays end in late August, weather remains stable with temperatures of 12–18°C in Füssen, autumn colour begins in the Halblechtal, and Kenzenhütte remains open until approximately 20 October. The full season runs mid-June to mid-October, but July and August bring peak-season congestion around Neuschwanstein that can add 45 minutes to the final section of the route.

How difficult is Stage A62 of the Via Alpina?

Via Alpina rates Stage A62 at Level II (moderate-challenging). The technical demands concentrate in the first 5 km: a steep descent through the Halblechtal cirques on loose limestone terrain that requires sure feet and trekking poles. The middle and lower sections follow well-graded forest and meadow paths. Hikers with alpine day-hike experience and waterproof boots with ankle support will find the full 22.1 km demanding but entirely manageable; no scrambling or fixed ropes are involved at any point.

How far is the hike from Kenzenhütte to Füssen, and how long does it take?

The official stage distance is 22.1 km with 751 m of elevation gain and 1,256 m of loss. Via Alpina's published walking time is 6 hours and 20 minutes at a steady alpine pace without extended stops. Most fit hikers complete the route in 6–7.5 hours including a brief viewpoint break and lunch in Schwangau. Add 30–45 minutes if you walk out to the Marienbrücke bridge above Neuschwanstein for the famous elevated view of the castle.

Where can I stay before and after hiking Stage A62?

The standard overnight before Stage A62 is Kenzenhütte (1,322 m), a DAV mountain hut with 80 beds and half-board service; book well in advance between June and September. After completing the stage, Füssen offers the widest choice: Pension rooms from €65/night, the DJH youth hostel from €30 per dormitory bed, and mid-range hotels from €100/night. Schwangau, 4 km before Füssen on the trail, is a quieter alternative at €70–130/night.

Do I need a permit to hike Via Alpina Purple A62?

No permit is required to hike Stage A62. The route is a public right-of-way through Ammergauer Alpen nature park, with no entry fee. Visiting the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle requires a timed-entry ticket (€15 adults as of 2026), but the castle exterior, the Pöllat Gorge path and the Marienbrücke viewpoint are all free to access. The Via Alpina trail itself bypasses the castle ticket barrier — you can complete Stage A62 in full without purchasing a castle ticket.