Via Alpina Red R45

The Via Alpina Red R45 is a roughly 8 km point-to-point mountain stage in the Wetterstein Alps of Bavaria, Germany, descending about 1,000 m from the Meilerhütte at 2,366 m to the Reintalangerhütte at 1,366 m. Rated demanding (Alpine T3), it threads the wild Reintal valley below the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak.

About the Via Alpina Red R45

Stage R45 belongs to the Red Trail of the Via Alpina, the longest of the network's five colour-coded routes. The Red Trail runs for 161 stages across all eight Alpine countries, from Trieste on the Adriatic to Monaco on the Mediterranean. The Via Alpina was created in 2000 by a partnership of public and private organisations from the eight Alpine nations — Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco — and received European Union funding through 2008. Today it remains part of the International Walking Network (IWN), one of the world's most significant long-distance hiking systems.

R45 connects the Meilerhütte, perched on the Dreitorspitze ridge at 2,366 m, with the Reintalangerhütte deep in the Reintal valley at 1,366 m. It sits squarely in the Wetterstein massif, the limestone range that culminates in the 2,962 m Zugspitze just to the west. The OSM description names the route plainly: "Meilerhütte – Reintalangerhütte." This is a high-mountain descent rather than a gentle valley walk, crossing scree fields, exposed paths and the upper reaches of the Partnach gorge system. Most walkers cover it in 3 to 4 hours, making it a satisfying half-day within a multi-day Wetterstein traverse.

Because the stage links two staffed alpine huts, it suits hikers who want a genuine high-altitude experience without carrying tents or a week of supplies. The descent into the Reintal also overlaps with the classic walkers' approach to the Zugspitze, so R45 doubles as a feeder for one of the most popular summit days in the German Alps.

Route Overview & Stages

R45 is a single stage, but the walk divides naturally into three sections defined by terrain and altitude. The table below breaks down the approximate distances, elevation change and the highlights of each part.

Total distance is approximately 8 km with around 1,000 m of net descent and short reascents on the upper traverse. The official stage description and downloadable GPS track are published by the route authority at via-alpina.org. Walked in the opposite direction (south to north, gaining 1,000 m), the same stage is a strenuous climb of 4 to 5 hours.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Meilerhütte (2,366 m) — A DAV refuge straddling the Bavarian–Tyrolean border on the Dreitorspitze ridge, one of the highest staffed huts in the Wetterstein and the panoramic start of the stage.
• Dreitorspitze (2,633 m) — The jagged triple-summit massif looming above the Meilerhütte, a magnet for climbers and the defining silhouette of the upper route.
• Söller / Oberreintal junction — The shoulder where the path pivots from the high ridge into the Reintal, with views down the full length of the valley.
• Oberreintal climbing cirque — A legendary granite-like limestone playground beneath the route, historically one of the cradles of Bavarian alpine climbing.
• Partnach river headwaters — The Reintal cradles the upper Partnach, the same stream that later carves the famous Partnachklamm gorge near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
• Reintal valley meadows — Broad alpine pastures framing the final approach, grazed in summer and backed by the south face of the Zugspitze.
• Reintalangerhütte (1,366 m) — A century-old DAV hut on the main walkers' route up the Zugspitze, the warm and busy end point of the stage.
• Zugspitze (2,962 m) — Germany's highest mountain rises directly above the valley head; many R45 walkers continue toward its summit the following day.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R45

The realistic hiking window for R45 runs from late June to late September, dictated entirely by hut staffing and snow cover. The Meilerhütte and Reintalangerhütte typically open from mid-June to early October, but the upper traverse above 2,300 m can hold snow and ice well into early summer. In a normal year, July and August give the most reliable conditions, with daytime valley temperatures of 15–22 °C and ridge temperatures often near freezing at dawn.

The single best month is September. By then the snowfields of early summer have melted, the alpine meadows are at their driest and firmest, afternoon thunderstorms are markedly less frequent than in midsummer, and the huts are still open yet far quieter than during the August peak. For 2026, plan for the first three weeks of September and book hut bunks well in advance, as autumn weekends fill quickly. Always check the live avalanche and weather bulletins before committing to the high traverse; as of 2026, the German DAV and Bavarian avalanche service publish updated mountain conditions throughout the season.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This is a hut-to-hut stage, and both refuges are run by the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). At the Reintalangerhütte and Meilerhütte, expect a dormitory bunk (Matratzenlager) at roughly €15–€25 per night, with private-style multi-bed rooms where available around €30–€40. DAV and reciprocal-club members receive a substantial discount. Half board — bunk plus dinner and breakfast — typically runs €45–€60 per person. Both huts serve hot meals and drinks, but card payment is unreliable at altitude, so carry enough cash in euros. Wild camping is prohibited throughout the Bavarian Alps; bivouacking above the treeline is tolerated only in genuine emergencies. Advance reservation is essential in July, August and on September weekends.

Getting There & Back

The gateway town is Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From Munich, the Bayerische Regiobahn / DB regional train reaches Garmisch-Partenkirchen in about 80 minutes; Munich Airport (MUC) is roughly 2 to 2.5 hours away by combined S-Bahn and regional train. From Garmisch, the Reintalangerhütte is reached on foot up the Partnachklamm gorge in about 4 to 5 hours, or you can shorten the approach using local buses toward the valley trailheads. The Meilerhütte end is usually accessed via the Schachen or Leutasch valleys. Plan a full day either side of R45 to walk in and out, since neither hut is reachable by road.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to hike R45 — the Wetterstein is open-access mountain terrain under Bavarian and Tyrolean law. The only costs are hut nights, meals and any local transport. If your route passes through the Partnachklamm gorge near Garmisch, a small entrance fee of around €7 applies to the gorge boardwalk. Cross-border walkers should note that the Meilerhütte sits on the German–Austrian frontier, but no formal border control exists within the Schengen Area.

Gear & Packing List

R45 is a serious alpine half-day, so pack for fast weather changes, scree and short cabled sections. A 35–50 litre pack is ideal for a multi-day hut traverse — a comfortable carrier such as the Abisko Hike 35 works well for light hut-to-hut loads, while the Aircontact Lite 45+10 suits walkers carrying extra layers and food. Ultralight hikers chaining several Via Alpina stages often prefer the frameless 2400 Windrider. Bring sturdy B-rated approach or hiking boots, trekking poles for the steep descent, a warm midlayer and waterproof shell, sun protection for exposed limestone, at least 1.5 litres of water capacity, and a hut sleeping liner (Hüttenschlafsack), which is mandatory in DAV huts. A headtorch, basic first-aid kit and enough trail food round out the kit. For planning daily energy on consecutive hut days, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day. If you are still choosing a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested options.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Via Alpina's German sections appeal, several of Germany's long European long-distance paths cross similar terrain and link neatly with the Wetterstein. The European long-distance routes E8 and E11 thread the country from the lowlands to the Alpine foothills and make natural companions to a Via Alpina trip. For a contrasting high-mountain hut traverse, the dramatic Balkan crossing in our Theth to Valbona guide offers comparable scenery in the Albanian Alps.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R45?
September is the single best month. Early-summer snow has cleared from the upper traverse above 2,300 m, the meadows are firm and dry, thunderstorms are less frequent than in July and August, and both huts are still staffed but far quieter. The overall season runs from late June to early October, matching DAV hut opening dates.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R45?
It is a demanding alpine stage, roughly Alpine grade T3, with exposed scree, steep switchbacks and short cabled sections on the descent from the Meilerhütte. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential. Walked south to north it becomes a strenuous 1,000 m climb. It is not suitable for beginners or in poor weather.

How long is each day on the Via Alpina Red R45?
R45 is a single half-day stage of about 8 km. Descending from the Meilerhütte at 2,366 m to the Reintalangerhütte at 1,366 m takes most hikers 3 to 4 hours. In the uphill direction allow 4 to 5 hours. Walkers usually combine it with approach and exit days from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Where do you stay on the Via Alpina Red R45?
You sleep in staffed DAV mountain huts — the Meilerhütte at the start and the Reintalangerhütte at the end. Dormitory bunks cost roughly €15–€25 per night, or €45–€60 with half board including dinner and breakfast. Bring a sleeping liner, cash in euros, and reserve ahead, as both huts fill in peak season.

Do you need a permit for the Via Alpina Red R45?
No permit or entry fee is required to walk R45 through the Wetterstein mountains, which are open-access terrain in Bavaria and Tyrol. Your only costs are hut nights, meals and local transport. Wild camping is prohibited. If you pass through the Partnachklamm gorge near Garmisch, a small fee of about €7 applies to the gorge walkway.