The 2082 meter-high Hochplatte is a striking mountain in the Ammergau Alps, which is very popular with hikers and ski tourers due to its exposed location as a panoramic mountain. The 11,1 km long tour to the Hochplatte leads from one of the most beautiful places in the foothills of the Alps, past the Allgäuer Matterhorn to the summit, which offers an unforgettable view. The summit hike promises, for the most part, pure enjoyment, but also includes some steep passages that require sure-footedness and a head for heights.
The summit hike to the Hochplatte is without a doubt one of the most attractive mountain tours in the Allgäu. It offers fantastic natural impressions and a fantastic view of the summit that you will remember fondly for a long time. After the descent you have the opportunity to stop at the cozy Kenzenhütte, where the fairy tale king Ludwig II in 19. was a frequent guest throughout the centuries. However, the mountain tour is considered demanding as there are a few steep sections to overcome. You should have a head for heights and be sure-footed. The start and finish point of the summit hike is the Kenzenhütte car park in Halblech. You can get there via Füssen on the B17 towards Schwangau. Shortly before Halblech follow the signs to “Kenzenhütte hiking car park”. If you use public transport, you can get to Halblech from the Füssen train and bus station with the 73 bus line.
There you get off at the Ortsmitte stop, walk back down the street a bit and come to the starting point of the hike. To equip yourself for this tour, we recommend hiking boots with good tread soles that go over the ankle, as well as hiking poles that provide additional support. You should also take some provisions with you, as the Kenzenhütte is only reached at the very end. The tour lasts around six hours.
From the Kenzenhütte hiking car park in Halblech, you first take the hiking bus to Wankerfleck, which can only be reached via forest paths that are closed to normal car traffic. The hiking bus runs on weekends from the beginning of May and daily from the end of May to the end of October at 08.00, 09.00, 10.00, 11.00, 13.00 and 17.00 . The return journeys take place from the Kenzenhütte at 10.30, 14.00, 16.00 and 17.30 . The Wankerfleck is a valley floor in the Ammergau Alps that is approximately 1140 meters high and surrounded by dense forests. With its extensive alpine meadows and the mountains behind them towering magnificently into the sky, it is one of the most picturesque places in the foothills of the Alps. On the eastern edge of the Wankerfleck there is a lonely, small chapel that was built in honor of unfortunate mountaineers.
Below the alpine meadows lies the Bockstallsee in the middle of the idyllic mountain world, which is worth a detour before your hiking tour, especially on warm summer days. The climb to the Hochplatte then leads directly past the steep rock faces of the 1884 meter-high Geiselstein, which is also known as the Allgäuer Matterhorn and is very popular among climbing enthusiasts. The entire tour leads through a beautiful mountain landscape and is well signposted so you can't get lost. A little later you reach the magnificent Gumpenkar, a quiet scenic gem that is home to numerous chamois. The cute mountain goats graze on the slopes here and are hardly disturbed by passing hikers. The tour leads up to the so-called “fensterl”, a natural rock gate that you walk through to get to the path that leads to the Hochplatte summit. The ridge path is secured with ropes in places and requires sure-footedness and a head for heights.
For the most part, the climb offers pure pleasure hiking with fantastic views over the vast foothills of the Alps. Of course, the most beautiful view is from a height of 2082 meters on the striking high plateau.
On the descent you hike past the Gamsangerl, over a high valley densely covered with mountain pines, down to the Kenzenhütte. This cozy mountain hut is located at around 1300 meters in altitude and is open for business from the beginning of May. At the end of this breathtaking high-altitude hike, hungry hikers can enjoy a delicious Bavarian snack or various homemade hut dishes. Fairy tale king Ludwig II, on whose behalf the world-famous castle Neuschwanstein was built, has already lived in the Kenzenhütte in 19. Century felt very comfortable and was a guest here often. The area was a popular hunting ground for the Wittelsbach family, to which Ludwig and his family also belonged. The fairytale king himself was not a hunter, but he appreciated the fantastic location and the cozy atmosphere in the Kenzenhütte. After staying in the hut, the hiking bus takes you back to the parking lot.
The summit hike to the Hochplatte is one of the absolute hiking highlights in the Allgäu. It enchants with wonderful landscape impressions, an unforgettable view of the summit and a cozy stay in a historic mountain hut. This hiking tour definitely promises a successful day of vacation in Allgäu that you will remember for a long time. Experienced mountain hikers should not miss this charming tour.
