Ski touring in the Berchtesgaden region: The best routes for beginners, advanced skiers & experts

Winter has arrived in the Alps – time to get your skins out! The Berchtesgaden region is one of the most diverse areas for ski touring in Bavaria. Between gentle alpine trails, panoramic peaks, and challenging high-alpine routes, you'll find the perfect tour for every skill level. In this guide, we present 10 specific ski tours for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers – including elevation gain, duration, starting point, and special features. You'll also learn how to best prepare, when the snow conditions in the Berchtesgaden region are ideal, and what safety precautions are essential.

• Beginner-friendly ski tours around Berchtesgaden
• Intermediate tours for advanced hikers
• Alpine challenges for experts
• Comparison of the top ski tours in the Berchtesgaden region
• Equipment & Preparation: What you need
• Safety first: Tips for avalanche-free ski touring
• Avoid common mistakes: Tour planning like a pro
• FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Ski Tours in the Berchtesgaden Region
• Conclusion: This is how you experience the Berchtesgaden region on skis

Beginner-friendly ski tours around Berchtesgaden

Why the Berchtesgaden region is ideal for beginners

Around Ramsau and Berchtesgaden, gentle alpine pastures, groomed trails, and minimal elevation gain offer ideal conditions for beginner ski tourers in Berchtesgaden . Many tours end with a stop at a mountain hut – perfect for first experiences in the snow.

Top 3 tours for ski touring beginners

Dead Man (1,392 m)

Region: Ramsau near Berchtesgaden
Starting point: Hochschwarzeck parking lot
Elevation gain: approx. 500 m
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Difficulty: easy

The ski tour to the Toten Mann is a classic in the Hochschwarzeck area. Thanks to wide slopes, easy navigation, and minimal avalanche risk, this route is ideal for beginner ski tourers. The panoramic view of the Watzmann makes the ascent doubly rewarding.

Hirscheck summit circuit

Region: Hochschwarzeck
Starting point: Schwarzecklift valley station
Elevation gain: approx. 700 m
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
Difficulty: easy

An ideal introductory tour along the marked ski route to the Hirscheck summit . Perfect for first experiences with walking on skins. At the Hirschkaser , a refreshment stop awaits with a magnificent view – even the youngest will enjoy it.

Halsalm – Dead Man Variant

Region: Ramsau/Hochschwarzeck
Starting point: Seeklause at Hintersee
Elevation gain: 500–600 m
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: easy

The route to Halsalm and on to Toten Mann takes you through light forest and quiet terrain – ideal for first tours with some experience on skis when there is sufficient snow.

List: Ski tours for beginners at a glance

• Dead Man: 500 m elevation gain | 2 hours | Start: Hochschwarzeck
• Hirscheck Loop: 700 m elevation gain | 2.5 hours | Start: Schwarzenberg ski lift
• Halsalm: 500–600 m | 2 hours | Start: Seeklause Hintersee

Checklist for beginners

• Pack your avalanche transceiver set and practice beforehand.
• Check the tour in advance on a map or online platform.
• Start in the morning – better snow conditions
• Choose only marked and well-known routes
• Carry a mobile phone with a fully charged battery for emergencies.

Intermediate tours for advanced hikers

What "medium" means: elevation gain, technique, and terrain

For advanced ski tourers, the Berchtesgaden region offers a variety of exciting destinations with altitudes of up to 1,300 meters. "Intermediate" here means that reliable kick-turn technique, orientation skills in alpine terrain, and experience in dealing with avalanche situations are required.

5 recommended tours for advanced hikers

Schneibstein (2,276 m)

Region: National Park / Göllstock
Starting point: Hinterbrand parking lot
Elevation gain: approx. 1,300 m
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: medium

A true classic among the best ski tours in the Berchtesgaden Alps . The ascent leads via the Carl-von-Stahl-Haus, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the Königssee. Wide slopes are ideal for the descent – ​​perfect for fast, exhilarating skiing when snow conditions are stable.

Windschartenkopf (1,873 m)

Region: Reiter Alm
Starting point: Hirschbichlstraße near Hintersee
Elevation gain: 800–1,000 m
Duration: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: medium

This less-traveled route offers varied terrain and a wonderful panorama – ideal if you want to escape the crowds. The tour is particularly appealing in fresh snow.

Stuhljoch (2,441 m)

Region: Reiter Alm
Starting point: Hirschbichl / Hintersee parking lot
Elevation gain: 1,100–1,200 m
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: medium

Located in the heart of the national park, the Stuhljoch pass impresses with its alpine scenery, glaciated north-facing slopes, and often calm conditions. Caution is advised when the weather changes – good preparation is essential.

Untersberg – Geiereck (1,805 m)

Region: Untersberg massif
Starting point: Marktschellenberg – Ettenberg
Elevation gain: 900–1,100 m
Duration: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: medium

The border route between Germany and Austria combines varied ascent options with karst terrain and a scenic plateau.

Kleine Reib'n – Schneibstein above Windscharte

Region: Hagengebirge / Hinterbrand
Starting point: Hinterbrand
Elevation gain: approx. 1,300 m
Duration: 4.5–5.5 hours
Difficulty: medium

A circular tour with scenic appeal and a truly "classic" character: The ascent through the Alpeltal valley, over the Windscharte pass up to the Schneibstein mountain, is a perfect day tour with a rewarding descent.

Comparison: Overview of moderately difficult tours

Tour name	Elevation gain	Length of time	Starting point	Avalanche risk	terrain	Best time
Schnibstein	approximately 1,300	4–5 hours	Backfire	moderate	open alpine pastures & high mountains	Dec–Mar
Windschartenkopf	800–1,000	3–4 hours	Hirschbichlstraße	low to moderate	Forest/Alpine pasture	Jan–Mar
Small graters	approximately 1,300	4.5–5.5 hours	Backfire	moderate	alpine and round trip	Jan–Mar
Chair yoke	1,100–1,200	4–5 hours	Hintersee	moderate	remote/high alpine	Jan–Mar
Untersberg-Geiereck	900–1,100	3–4 hours	Marktschellenberg	moderate	Karst/summit ridge	Jan–Mar

Alpine challenges for experts

For experienced users only: What to expect here

Alpine ski tours in the Berchtesgaden region demand secure kick-turn technique, glacier experience, risk assessment, and excellent stamina. The routes typically involve ascents of over 1,500 vertical meters through steep gullies and challenging terrain – with a magnificent reward at the summit.

Top 2 ski tours for alpine professionals

Hoher Göll (2,522 m) – via the Alpeltal valley

Region: Göllstock
Starting point: Ofnerboden (Rossfeldstraße)
Elevation gain: approx. 1,600 m
Duration: 6–7 hours
Difficulty: hard

The Hohe Göll is a classic among the challenging ski tours in the national park. The long ascent through the Alpeltal valley demands stamina and solid technique – but you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Watzmann massif.

Great Hundstod (2,594 m)

Region: Steinernes Meer
Starting point: Wimbach Bridge, Ramsau
Elevation gain: 1,600–1,800 m
Duration: 6–7 hours
Difficulty: hard

A superlative ski tour: From the valley floor via the Wimbachgries to the Wimbachgrieshütte mountain hut and on through high alpine terrain to the summit of the Steinernes Meer mountain range. Only accessible with very stable snow conditions and good weather!

Checklist: What you need for high-alpine ski tours

• Complete avalanche transceiver equipment
• Bivouac sack & First Aid
• Good map skills or GPS
• Crampons / ice axes depending on conditions
• Warm spare clothing

Comparison of the top ski tours in the Berchtesgaden region

tour	difficulty	Elevation gain	Length of time	Starting point	region	Departure area	Avalanche safety	season	Stop for refreshments
Dead man	light	500	2 hours	Hochschwarzeck	Ramsau	Wide meadows	high	Dec–Mar	Hirschkaser
Hirscheck Round	light	700	2.5 hours	Ramsau ski lift	Hochschwarzeck	piste route	high	Dec–Mar	hut
Halsalm-Dead Man	light	500–600	2 hours	Hintersee	Ramsau	Alpine pasture	high	Dec–Mar	—
Schnibstein	medium	1,300	4–5 hours	Backfire	Göllstock	Open/wide	moderate	Dec–Mar	Steel House
Windschartenkopf	medium	800–1,000	3–4 hours	Hintersee	Reiter Alm	Forest/Alpine pasture	low	Jan–Mar	—
Chair yoke	medium	1,200	4–5 hours	Hintersee	Reiter Alm	alpine/quiet	moderate	Jan–Mar	—
Small graters	medium	1,300	5 hours	Backfire	Hagengebirge	alpine	moderate	Jan–Mar	—
Untersberg-Geiereck	medium	1,100	3–4 hours	Marktschellenberg	Untersberg	Karst	moderate	Jan–Mar	—
Hoher Göll	difficult	1,600	6–7 hours	Rossfeld	Göllstock	steep alpine terrain	low to high	Jan–Apr	—
Great Dog Death	difficult	1,600–1,800	6–7 hours	Wimbach Bridge	Sea of ​​Stones	high alpine	high	Feb–May	Wimbachhütte