From Munich to the Wendelstein in Brannenburg

We take you on a journey through the Bavarian Oberland. With the CityTourCard Munich (zone M-12), you can easily travel on the BRB trains to the foothills of the Alps and marvel at Bavaria's nature.

In this article, the journey takes us to Brannenburg. The absolute highlight in Brannenburg is the Wendelstein and the breathtaking view. There is plenty to see and experience in this natural paradise for both solo travelers and families!

1. Arrival in Brannenburg
2. From the Kneipp facility to the cog railroad
3. Hiking trails and views
4. Bayrischzell cable car

Arrival in Brannenburg

To get from Munich to Brannenburg, you can take the BRB regional train RB54 in the direction of Kufstein. Fun fact: If you still have time, you can also travel as far as Kufstein in Austria with the CityTourCard.
The journey to Brannenburg takes about an hour. To get up to the Wendelstein, there is the Wendelstein rack railroad in Brannenburg. From the train station it is about 35 minutes on foot or you can take the 9583 bus in the direction of Birkenstein to the valley station of the cog railroad. The cog railroad only runs once an hour, so you should plan your arrival reasonably well and get there early. It's also worth arriving early, as there are a few things you can do beforehand. Please check the weather conditions here before you arrive. In strong winds or similar, the lifts may be closed.

Photo: Marie Ferber

From the Kneipp facility to the cog railroad

Right next to the valley station you will find a bike playground, a bouldering facility and a skate park. There is also a normal children's playground opposite. So families can keep themselves busy before heading up to the Wendelstein. If you visit the Wendelstein in summer, it is very warm and you have planned a little more time in Brannenburg anyway, then there is a Kneipp facility and the Brannenburg nature adventure trail in the district of Thann. The nature and adventure trail is a small hiking trail of around 2.5 km and consists of various stations. The trail is very suitable for families with children.

The ticket for the Wendelstein cog railroad costs around €42* for an adult without a discount. CityTourCard Munich users receive a discount of approx. 18% on the ascent and descent ticket on the Wendelstein cable car in Bayrischzell, the ascent and descent ticket on the Wendelstein cogwheel railroad in Brannenburg or the combined ticket for the cogwheel railroad and cable car. There are also two stops along the way. The best view is of course at the very top at the final stop, the Wendelstein mountain station.

*Subject to alterations. Current prices on the Wendelsteinbahn website

Photo: A. Mittermeier

Hiking trails and views

Once you reach the top of the Wendelstein, you walk through a kind of tunnel that leads you outside to the viewing platform. If the weather is good with a cloudless sky, there is a wonderful view of the mountains. The "Gacher Blick" viewing platform shows you the Chiemgau Alps, the Central Alps and the Zugspitze. If the view is restricted by thick clouds, it can also happen that after 30 minutes, for example, everything clears up again and the mountains appear once more. Apart from the view, the Wendelstein also offers other attractions, such as the highest church in Germany, an observatory and a play area. There is plenty to eat and drink in the Wendelsteinhaus, whether coffee, wine, fries or a 3-course meal.

Of course, you can also hike up the Wendelstein. The route to the highest point (from Brannenburg) is around 9 kilometers with more than 1300 meters of altitude. If you only want to walk part of the route, you can also take the cog railroad to the Mitteralm and continue walking there.

Otherwise, the trail from the valley station takes you first to Sankt Margarethen and then to Aipl. The winter trail takes you to the Mitteralm, where you can take your first break for food and drink. The route then continues along the forest path, which takes you to the Wiesensattel. The next destination is via stony paths to Reindlerscharte and Zeller Scharte. Once here, you have almost made it. The summit trail takes you to the viewing platform. A well-known hiking trail to get back to Brannenburg from the Wendelstein is, for example, the Künstlerweg. You can find many other great routes with different levels of difficulty, altitude and average times here.

Photo: Hinz

Bayrischzell cable car

Another option for getting up the Wendelstein is the cable car in Bayrischzell. The valley station is called Bayrischzell-Osterhofen. You can reach it by taking the RB55 in the direction of Bayrischzell, where you only have to get off at Osterhofen station. The cable car ride to the Wendelstein takes just 7 minutes and is the quickest way to the top. Hiking routes also take you up the mountain on foot. One popular route, for example, is the Wendelstein-Männlein-Gipfelsteig.

Do you need more inspiration? Then take a look at other articles here.