Berchtesgadener Hochthron

Berchtesgadener Hochthron Klettersteig (C/D, 380m), 2013

Key Facts

Links

via-ferrata.de
bergsteigen.com
bergwelten.com

Report

Stable high-pressure weather was the magic word, and off we went to the Berchtesgadener Hochthron via ferrata. From the car park in Ettenberg, a district of Marktschellenberg, we walked comfortably for about two hours along Alpine trail 466 through the forest to the Scheibenkaser mountain hut, then turned right towards the start of the Hochthron route. We arrived at half past nine, completely soaked in sweat from the heat, and entered the steep 400-metre east face of the Berchtesgadener Hochthron. The route is characterised from the very start by a well-planned line of fixed ropes. The compact rock with plenty of holds and grips rarely makes it necessary to rely on the ironwork. It’s simply great fun to follow the line. The route also has some exposed sections with spectacular drops, perfect for photography. The photo traverse with the Watzmann in the background is especially not to be missed. The via ferrata has no seriously difficult sections overall; in the upper third there is a traverse requiring some arm strength, and before the exit chimney you occasionally need a firmer grip – but difficulty is subjective, as they say. One thing to note: bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the south-east orientation of the face means the sun beats down relentlessly the whole way. We moved slowly and steadily due to the heat and reached the summit after about two hours. The missing fluids were quickly replenished at the Stöhrhaus, which was no hardship at all – from the Stöhrhaus terrace the view over the Berchtesgadener Alps is magnificent. The Hochthron via ferrata is for me one of the finest in the Eastern Alps – highly recommended!

Photos