Via Alpina Yellow B39

The Via Alpina Yellow B39 is a point-to-point mountain stage running from Holzgau in Tyrol, Austria to Kemptner Hütte in the Bavarian Allgäu, Germany — crossing the Austro-German border at the Mädelejoch pass. Exact distance and elevation figures are not published by the operator in a verifiable form, but hikers should plan a full mountain day on this penultimate stage of the Via Alpina Yellow, one of Europe's most significant long-distance Alpine trails.

About the Via Alpina Yellow B39

Stage B39 sits near the end of the Via Alpina Yellow route — the most northerly of the five trans-Alpine long-distance trails that together form the Via Alpina network, classified as part of the International Walking Network (IWN). The Yellow route runs from Trieste on the Adriatic coast westward across Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland before swinging north into the Bavarian Allgäu. Stage B39 is the crossing that carries hikers from Austria into Germany for the first time on the Yellow route, making it both geographically and emotionally one of the defining stages.

The stage departs from Holzgau, a quiet village in the upper Lechtal (Lech valley) in Tyrol. The Lechtal is one of the longest lateral valleys in the Alps, a corridor of traditional Tyrolean farming villages flanked by the Lechtaler Alpen to the south and the Allgäu Alps to the north. Holzgau itself sits at roughly 1,100 m and is known locally for one of Austria's longest pedestrian suspension bridges — a detour worth taking before or after the stage if your legs have anything left.

From Holzgau, B39 climbs the Hohenbach valley, following the Hohenbach stream into progressively wilder terrain. The path passes the Simms waterfall before gaining height onto the high ridgeline that marks the border between Austria and Germany. The crossing point, the Mädelejoch pass, delivers a sudden shift in landscape character: to the south, the jagged limestone towers of the Lechtaler Alpen; to the north, the softer, greener profile of the Bavarian Allgäu. The stage ends at Kemptner Hütte, one of the most established mountain huts in the Allgäu Alps and the final overnight stop before the Yellow route descends to Oberstdorf.

Why B39 matters on the Via Alpina Yellow: As the penultimate stage, it carries outsized weight for through-hikers. After weeks on trail since Trieste, the border crossing at Mädelejoch is a concrete, geographic proof of progress — Austria behind, Germany ahead, the end in sight. Day-hikers and section-hikers will find it equally rewarding as a standalone high-alpine objective, combining valley walking, a significant pass crossing, and authentic hut accommodation.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail operator does not publish per-stage distance and elevation figures for B39 in a format that can be independently verified. The table below lists confirmed waypoints in sequence with their terrain character. HikeLoad leaves the distance cells blank rather than invent numbers — the quality of the information matters more than filling a table.

Direction recommendation: Walk B39 south-to-north — Holzgau to Kemptner Hütte — as intended by the Via Alpina Yellow waymarking (yellow diamond blazes). Walking in reverse is possible, but the waymarking becomes inconsistent and the psychological reward of arriving at Kemptner Hütte having just crossed out of Austria into Germany is worth preserving for its intended direction.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Holzgau village: A handsome Tyrolean village with painted façades characteristic of the Lechtal. Start early here — public transport from Reutte arrives in the morning, and the ascent deserves every hour of daylight. The adjacent pedestrian suspension bridge over the Höhenbach gorge is a remarkable piece of Alpine engineering that few other stage start points can match.
• Hohenbach valley gorge: The gorge section immediately above Holzgau is one of the most dramatic parts of the stage — a narrow defile where the Hohenbach stream runs fast and loud below, carved through pale limestone walls. The path climbs steadily alongside, shaded and cool even in summer heat.
• Simms Waterfall: A powerful cascade along the Hohenbach approach, confirmed as a waypoint on the official Via Alpina Yellow route. The falls mark a natural transition from the enclosed gorge to the open alpine terrain above — take a genuine rest here, eat something, and fill water before the sustained final climb to the Mädelejoch.
• Open alpine meadows: Above the treeline and below the Mädelejoch, the path traverses wide flower-rich meadows in the transition zone between the Lechtaler and Allgäu Alps. In July and August, gentians, Alpine asters, and yellow arnica colour the grass — the kind of scenery that defines the Via Alpina Yellow's reputation.
• Mädelejoch pass: The stage high point and international border crossing. On a clear day the contrast is striking: south over the sharp limestone ridges of the Lechtaler Alpen, north across the rounded, pastoral hills of the Allgäu — two distinct Alpine worlds meeting at a single point on the ridgeline.
• Kemptner Hütte: One of the most popular and historic huts in the Bavarian Allgäu, operated by the German Alpine Club (DAV), Kempten section. Expect hearty Bavarian hut food, communal sleeping, and the particular warmth of a hut full of hikers near the end of a long route.
• Trans-national crossing on foot: Few long-distance trail stages can offer a genuine international border crossing without a road or fence in sight. Stepping from Austria into Germany at Mädelejoch is the kind of milestone that earns a permanent place in hiking memory.
• Via Alpina Yellow penultimate milestone: B39 is the second-to-last stage of the Via Alpina Yellow. For through-hikers who have walked from Trieste, arriving at Kemptner Hütte is the emotional finish line — one more stage to Oberstdorf and the route is complete.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Yellow B39

Via Alpina Yellow B39 is a genuinely high-alpine stage. The Mädelejoch pass sits above 2,300 m and carries snow well into summer. As of 2026, the recommended season runs from early July to mid-September — outside this window, snow on the pass makes the crossing hazardous for hikers without ice-axe and crampons.

Best single month: August. The Allgäu and Lechtaler Alps are typically snow-free from mid-July onwards, but July itself can still present patchy snow on north-facing approaches to the Mädelejoch. August offers the most reliably stable weather window, the longest daylight hours, and fully operational huts with staff. It is also the busiest period — Kemptner Hütte fills fast, and advance booking is non-negotiable.

July: Viable from the second week of July in a typical year. Wildflowers are at their peak in the meadows above Holzgau. Expect possible snow patches on the final approach to the pass; check via-alpina.org or call Kemptner Hütte directly for current conditions before setting out.

September: Cooler, quieter, and often dramatically clear. The Allgäu's characteristic afternoon thunderstorm pattern calms in September, and autumn colour appears in the valley forests around Holzgau. The stage feels more demanding in the cold, but many experienced hikers prefer it precisely because the August crowds have thinned. The hut typically closes by mid-October — confirm exact dates with the DAV Kempten section before booking a late-season visit.

When NOT to go: October onwards carries a genuine risk of early snowfall blocking the Mädelejoch. The hut closes by mid-October, making an unplanned bivouac above 2,000 m a real risk. Spring is firmly out — the pass holds snow through June. Do not attempt B39 out of season without mountaineering equipment and solid experience on snow.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Kemptner Hütte is the sole overnight option on the stage itself. Operated by the German Alpine Club (DAV, Sektion Kempten), it offers dormitory bunk beds (Matratzenlager) and a small number of private rooms (Zimmer). Typical prices at a DAV hut of this category run from approximately €25–35 per night for a dormitory bunk, with half-board (dinner and breakfast) available for around €55–70 per person. DAV or ÖAV (Austrian Alpine Club) members receive a reduced rate — if you hike regularly in the Alps, membership pays for itself in a single hut-tour.

Advance booking is essential in July and August. Kemptner Hütte is popular with both Via Alpina through-hikers and day-hikers coming up from Oberstdorf on stage B40 in reverse. Book directly via the DAV hut booking system or by contacting the hut guardian. The hut is typically open from mid-June to mid-October, exact dates subject to snow conditions.

In Holzgau itself, several Gasthöfe and Ferienwohnungen (holiday apartments) offer accommodation if you want a valley night before an early start on B39. The village is small — options fill fast in peak summer weeks.

Getting There & Back

Getting to Holzgau: The Lechtal is served by a Postbus network running along the valley floor. From Reutte in Tirol (the main Lechtal hub, roughly 40 minutes by bus), regional trains connect to Innsbruck (approximately 1.5 hours) and to Munich via Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Coming from Germany, the nearest international airport is Munich (MUC), approximately 2.5 hours by train and bus to Holzgau. Allow a full day of travel from Munich if arriving by public transport.

Getting back from Kemptner Hütte: The hut has no road access — you leave on foot. The standard onward route is stage B40, descending to Oberstdorf in the Allgäu (approximately 3–4 hours of hiking). Oberstdorf is an excellent transport hub with direct trains to Munich (roughly 1.5–2 hours) and regional connections to Kempten and Augsburg. If you want to end at B39 rather than completing the Yellow route, descend to Oberstdorf from Kemptner Hütte and take the train from there — it is the nearest railhead and a pleasant Allgäu market town in its own right.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permits are required for Via Alpina Yellow B39. The trail crosses public and private Alpine land in both Austria and Germany without entry fees. The border crossing at Mädelejoch is on open mountain terrain — no passport control, no toll. The only costs are hut accommodation, food at Kemptner Hütte, and standard public transport fares to and from the trailheads. Download the official GPX file for stage B39 from via-alpina.org before departure — it is free and the most reliable navigation source for the route.

Gear & Packing List

B39 is a high-alpine day stage with a significant pass crossing — pack accordingly. The stage is not technical (no fixed ropes or glacier travel), but changeable Allgäu weather and the exposed Mädelejoch demand full mountain kit rather than a casual day-hiker's load.

Pack choice matters here. For through-hikers already carrying multi-day loads on the Via Alpina Yellow, a well-fitted pack of 45–65 litres is standard. The Osprey Aether 65 (2,210 g) and the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 (1,950 g) are proven multi-day Alpine hut-touring packs with the load support to carry provisions for several days between huts. For section-hikers doing just B39 with hut accommodation, a lighter approach works well: the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 (1,570 g) trims 380 g against the Core while keeping enough volume for a comfortable kit. If you want to go genuinely ultralight on this stage, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider (510 g) is a credible choice for experienced hikers who know how to pack tight. For a broader comparison of sub-1 kg packs suited to Alpine terrain, the HikeLoad guide Best Ultralight Backpacks 2026: 7 Sub-1 kg Packs Tested covers the field in detail.

Beyond pack choice, the essential kit list for B39:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Allgäu afternoon storms are fast and wet, and the Mädelejoch is fully exposed)
• Warm mid-layer (the pass is cold even in August; temperature drops sharply above 2,000 m)
• Trekking poles (the descent from the Mädelejoch to Kemptner Hütte is steep and loose in places)
• Navigation: the Via Alpina app or downloaded offline map — via-alpina.org provides free GPX files for every stage
• Sleeping liner (required at Kemptner Hütte and most DAV huts)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (UV intensity above 2,000 m is significant even through cloud)
• 1.5–2 litres water capacity (the Hohenbach stream is drinkable in the lower valley; carry enough for the exposed upper section and pass crossing)

Plan your food carefully for a full mountain day. The HikeLoad guide How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? breaks down the energy maths for mountain days with significant elevation — useful for working out what to carry versus what Kemptner Hütte's kitchen covers.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Via Alpina Yellow B39 appeals to hikers who want a genuine international border crossing, high-alpine pass scenery, and classic hut-to-hut touring. If this style of mountain day resonates, the trails below offer comparable drama at different scales — from a 2 km canyon to a 21 km canyon rim:

• Panorama Trail (United States) — 8 km of ridge-top views that deliver comparable visual impact in a half-day
• Clouds Rest Trail (United States) — 15 km above Yosemite Valley with sustained elevation gain that echoes an Alpine pass stage
• North Kaibab Trail (United States) — 21 km of sustained canyon descent from rim to river; B39's dramatic inversion in a desert setting
• South Kaibab Trail (United States) — 9 km ridge trail with exposed viewpoints and no shade, demanding similar weather awareness to an Alpine crossing
• Hidden Canyon (United States) — 2 km, short but high-drama canyon for when you want the scenery without the full day

For hikers drawn to the hut-to-hut format of B39 but wanting something wilder and less organised, the Theth to Valbona Hike (Albania, 2026) offers a raw mountain crossing with comparable terrain drama and genuine remoteness.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Via Alpina Yellow B39?
August is the single most reliable month. The Mädelejoch pass holds snow into July and early snowfall can close it in October. From early July to mid-September you can expect clear paths, open huts, and long daylight hours. For the best balance of stable weather, snow-free terrain, and fewer crowds, target the last two weeks of August or the very first week of September.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Yellow B39?
B39 is a demanding mountain-day stage without technical climbing, but it requires proper Alpine hiking fitness and full mountain equipment. The Mädelejoch crossing is steep and exposed; the descent to Kemptner Hütte crosses loose terrain in places. This is not a beginner's trail. Hikers should be comfortable on unmarked high terrain, able to navigate in low visibility, and physically capable of 5–8 hours of sustained mountain walking with significant elevation change.

How far is it per day on B39, and can I split it?
The trail operator does not publish a verified distance for this stage and HikeLoad does not invent figures. Based on the confirmed waypoint sequence — Holzgau, Hohenbach valley, Simms Waterfall, Mädelejoch, Kemptner Hütte — most hikers plan 5–8 hours. Do not attempt to split this stage mid-way: there is no intermediate accommodation, the Mädelejoch is exposed to afternoon weather, and the only safe end point is Kemptner Hütte.

Where do I sleep on the Via Alpina Yellow B39?
Kemptner Hütte, operated by the German Alpine Club (DAV, Sektion Kempten), is the only accommodation on the stage. Book well in advance for July and August — the hut fills quickly with Via Alpina through-hikers and day-trippers from Oberstdorf. Expect dormitory bunks and hearty Bavarian hut food. In Holzgau at the start, several Gasthöfe are available for a pre-stage overnight if you want an early morning departure.

Do I need a permit for Via Alpina Yellow B39?
No permits are required. The trail crosses public and private Alpine land in Austria and Germany without entry fees. The border crossing at Mädelejoch is open mountain terrain — no passport control, no fee. The only cost on the trail is Kemptner Hütte accommodation (approximately €25–35 for a dormitory bunk, reduced for DAV or ÖAV members). Download the free GPX file from via-alpina.org before you go.