The 9,7 kilometer-long tour “Buching – Kenzenhütte” is a very beautiful alpine hike that leads along quiet forest paths at a medium altitude into the extensive hiking area west of the Halblechtal. On this hike, which is moderately demanding and suitable for the whole family, you can expect wonderful landscape impressions and breathtaking views of the Allgäu mountains.
The starting and finishing point of the “Buching – Kenzenhütte” tour is the Buchenberg valley station. There is something going on at Buchenberg in Buching all year round. Numerous beautiful hiking trails lead from here deeper into Bavaria's largest nature reserve, the Ammergebirge. This enchants not only nature lovers with its picturesque mixed mountain forests, Ice Age moors and diverse flora and fauna. The Buchenberg is also very popular with mountain bikers because it offers them many varied routes. Hang gliders and paragliders use the mountain as a starting point for their unforgettable sightseeing flights over the Allgäuer Königswinkel with its castles, mountains and lakes. If you would like to do a hang gliding or paragliding flight, you can be accompanied by experienced instructors and fly in tandem.
In the cold season, the Buchenberg is a family winter sports area that leaves nothing to be desired for skiers thanks to great slopes for every level and beautiful cross-country trails that lead through a magical snowy landscape. On the Alpe plain in the summit area, at 1140 meters, stands the Buchenberg Alm, a popular meeting place for those seeking relaxation, nature lovers and recreational athletes. They are served delicious homemade Allgäuer delicacies on a wonderful sun terrace. To get to Buchenberg in Buching, take the A7 or the federal highways B16 and B310 to Füssen and from there follow the B17, which leads via Schwangau to Buching. The valley station of the Buchenbergbahn is immediately after entering the town on the right-hand side. There are enough parking spaces here. Train travelers can get to Buching from the Füssen train station with the bus line 73.
The “Buching – Kenzenhütte” hiking tour first leads from the valley station up to the Buchenberg. The climb is a little steep here and there and tests your fitness. Less experienced hikers and families with very small children have the opportunity to be comfortably taken to the summit by the Buchenbergbahn. If you prefer to climb the summit on foot, go right past the valley station to a signpost that leads to the Kulturweg. This forest path, which is a bit slippery in places, later turns into a forest path that winds steeply up the mountain in serpentines. Once you have reached the Alpe Ebene, a large, picturesque pasture area, you can already see the Buchenberg Alm in front of you, which stands here at a height of 1140 meters. Here you can have a good time on the beautiful terrace, enjoy all kinds of culinary delicacies and enjoy a dream view over the wide foothills of the Alps.
The hiking tour continues from the Alpe Ebene to the Leiterau service hut. The route is very well signposted and marked, so you have no problems following it. After passing the Leiterau, a small path branches off to the right at some point, which leads to a forest path on which you hike to the bridge on the Bockstallbach. Here follows the most scenic section of the route, where you walk through the Bockstall gorge to the Bockstallsee, which offers a welcome way to cool off on warm days and from which you can enjoy an intoxicating view of the Geiselstein, also known as the Matterhorn of the Allgäus, and the Hochplatte. Now go right past the shore of the lake to hike across the free Alpe to the Wankerfleck Chapel. The small chapel was built in memory of mountain climbers who had accidents and is a landmark of the municipality of Halblech.
Then you walk back a short distance, over the bridge and to the right uphill along a small path along the stream. Finally, it goes up the mountain on a steeply ascending road to the Kenzenhütte, which stands at a height of 1300 meters in the Ammergau Alps. The hut is open from May and is a popular starting point for ambitious mountain hikes and summit climbs in the Ammergau Alps. At the end of this scenic tour, you have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious Bavarian snack or homemade warm dishes in the Kenzenhütte.
From the Kenzenhütte you can get to Halblech with the hiking bus, which runs on weekends from the beginning of May and several times a day from the end of May to the end of October. From there the 73 bus takes you back to Buching. The exact travel times of the hiking bus can be found at the Tourist Information Halblech-Buching. Of course you can also complete the return journey on foot, but then the tour would take twice as long and it is no longer suitable for children. The “Buching – Kenzenhütte” tour is a family-friendly and really beautiful alpine hike that delights with wonderful natural impressions and views of the mountains and can only be recommended to hiking enthusiasts on a holiday in the Allgäu.
