Hiking to Brecherspitz is one of my all-time favorite treks in the foothills of the Alps. The trail is diverse and challenging, requiring good physical fitness and sturdy footwear. Despite some blogs suggesting that alpine experience is necessary, I can't entirely agree. While you must navigate a ridge, it is doable even without alpine skills.
Why This Hike is a Must-Do
— Diverse Landscape: This hike provides plenty of variety, including waterfalls, lakes, ridge walking, and scenic views. It never gets boring!
— Stunning Views: Brecherspitz (1683m) offers panoramic views that include Schliersee and Tegernsee lakes. On a clear day, you can even spot Wendelstein Mountain.
— Perfect for Hot Summer Days: This trail is ideal for hot days as there are plenty of water holes to cool off, and most of the trail is covered by trees.
This 5-hour trek is one of my favorite hikes in the foothills of the Alps. It's perfect for hot summer days, especially with a stop at the Josefsthaler Waterfalls and the adjacent water holes along the way. The ridge walk presents an exciting physical challenge and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding mountainscape. It's simply beautiful!
Quick Facts about the Hike to Brecherspitz
— Starting point: Intersection of Aurachstraße and Josefsthalstraße
— Distance: 15.7 km
— Time Required: 5 hours
— Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
— Min. Height: 1177 m
— Max. Height: 1683 m
— Best Time to Visit: May to October
Pro Tips for Hiking to Brecherspitz
1. Pack Swimwear: You'll want to bring your swim trunks or bikini. The waterfalls and streams provide plenty of opportunities to cool down before tackling the steep climb. Relaxing your tired muscles in the icy water is also great on the way back.
2. Clockwise from Spitzingsattel: Once you reach the Spitzingsattel at 1127m, take the unmarked forest path to the right instead of following the gravel road to Obere Firstalm. This route takes you up the challenging but breathtaking east ridge to the summit. If you go the other way, you will miss this rewarding experience.
3. Best Time to Go: Especially on hot summer days, you can cool off at the waterfalls, streams, and Spitzingsee. From the beginning of September until October, you should aim to be on the summit around 7 p.m. to witness a breathtaking sunset. I highly recommend it!
4. What to pack: Consider how much water you'll need, especially on the ridge climb. You can fill up at waterfalls and streams on the way up, but once you pass the Spitzingsattel, you will have something left once you get back down. And you'll appreciate every drop on the exhausting ridge climb. Wear sturdy shoes to ease the rocky ascent.
Is the Brecherspitz Hike Dog-Friendly?
I took my Border Collie Hanna on this adventure, and she loved it, especially the part around the Josefsthaler Waterfalls and the following stream. However, the ridge climb was intense and physically demanding for her. There's a point just before the ridge where you must lift your dog to a 30-foot cliff. My friend Andy and I managed to push Hanna up; it was risky but doable. This is the most dangerous part of the hike.
The ridge climb is generally doable for dogs but challenging because of the steep incline and rocky trails. We had to help Hanna over some rocks, but the descent was easy. By the end of the day, Hanna was utterly exhausted. If your dog is in good shape, he'll enjoy it. But be careful.
Tour Overview: Your Unforgettable Hiking Journey from Josefsthal to Brecherspitz
Get ready for a hike that combines serene waterfalls, lush alpine meadows, exhilarating steep climbs, and spectacular views. This route is a treasure trove of scenery and challenges. Here's your step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Parking and Getting Started
From the Parking Lot on Spitzingstraße, you'll head towards the Josefsthaler Waterfalls. The day ticket for the parking lot is 6€. You can avoid paying for the day ticket by parking at one of the many free parking lots or on the side of the road in the village of Josefsthal.
Step 2: Refreshing Stop at the Josefsthaler Waterfalls
The Josefsthaler Waterfalls are a cool and refreshing stop about 15 minutes into the hike. Perfect for a quick dip, so bring a swimsuit if you're up!
Step 3: Trail to the Spitzingsattel
This trail takes you through woods and meadows along a stream. This is your opportunity for a second swim; you might be the only one on weekdays.
Step 4: Ascent from the Spitzingsattel to the Brecherspitz Summit
The steep climb is challenging, with uneven terrain and a steep incline. Always keep to the right to avoid getting lost, and be prepared for physical challenges.
Step 5: Enjoying the Summit View
Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding alpine landscape. You have a great summit view of Schliersee and Tegernsee. The perfect place to take a break and enjoy the alpine panorama. The extraordinary atmosphere at sunset!
Step 6: Descent to the Spitzingsattel and Return
The descent is easier through alpine meadows and forest roads. Easier on the knees, but still beautiful scenery. This is a faster route if you're pressed for time.
Detailed Route Description: Hiking from Josefsthal to Brecherspitz
Before you start, wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water and snacks. This hike is strenuous, so make sure you're physically prepared. This guide will give you a well-rounded hiking experience of nature, challenges, and unforgettable views. Enjoy the journey!
How to get to Josefsthal: Parking and Public Transportation Tips for your Adventure
Drive and park at the Parking Lot on Spitzingstraße—a day ticket costs 6€.
Pro Tip: Follow Aurachstraße all the way towards Josefsthaler Waterfalls. On the way you'll pass through the small village Josefsthal where you can find plenty of free parking options. Finding a free space is easy, even on busy summer days. Alternatively, you can take public transportation to this bus stop and start your adventure from there.
Refreshment Stop at Josefsthaler Waterfalls
At the intersection of Aurachstraße and Josefsthalstraße, you'll see the first sign indicating "Brecherspitz 3 1/4h" and "Josefsthaler Waterfalls 15min". Follow this sign to the Josefsthaler Waterfalls. After about 10 minutes, we arrived at another intersection. Here, we turn right onto Josefsthaler Straße, which leads us into the forest towards Josefsthaler Waterfalls. Shortly after entering the forest, you'll feel the cool breeze. Then, we finally see the Josefsthaler Waterfalls. Are you ready to jump into the cold water?
Navigation from the Josefsthaler Waterfalls to the Spitzingsattel
After visiting the Josefsthaler Waterfalls, we turn left and climb a short hill, following the signs for "Wasserfall Rundweg" and "Spitzingsee Ort.” This path takes us through a beautiful forest along a constant stream to a Beautiful Meadow. You can jump into the cool water on the way - worth it! Once you get to the meadow, you can continue or, like us, take a break.
We haven't even started hiking yet, and we're already resting. But it's always early enough for a good meal 😌, and this place is so idyllic that it's worth slowing down at the beginning of the hike.
From there, cross a small wooden bridge on both sides of the meadow and continue up the hill. From here to the Spitzingsattel, you'll continue through the forest, where several forks are found in the trail. Don’t worry; they all eventually lead back together. Just before you reach Spitzingsattel, leave the forest and take a steep gravel road that runs parallel to the road. The Spitzingsattel is right in front of you.
Ascent from Spitzingsattel to Brecherspitz Summit
Now, the hike gets exciting. As soon as we reach the Spitzingsattel (1127m), we notice several signs pointing mainly to the Upper and Lower Firstalm and a red barrier blocking a wide gravel path from cars coming up the hill. This path is used in winter as a toboggan run from the Upper Firstalm to the Spitzingsattel; It is highly recommended! To the right of these signs, a hidden, unmarked trail leads into the forest. This is where the real challenge starts.
We follow this trail uphill over rough terrain. The trail is thick with vegetation, and the gradient increases. Remember, when in doubt, always keep to the right! After about 40 minutes of strenuous walking, you reach a cliff. A narrow path leads up to it, marking the exciting start of the East Ridge. Overcome this cliff and enjoy the unforgettable view of the Spitzingsee.
Be careful not to get lost in the view; a wrong step here could have serious consequences. From here, we reach the summit of the Brecherspitz (1683m) after another strenuous 45 minutes. Now it's time for a short break to enjoy the surrounding panorama of the foothills of the Alps.
From the Brecherspitz Summit to the Foothills
Before re-entering the forest, you can enjoy the stunning foothills panorama from the west ridge of Brecherspitz. Therefore, head west from the summit towards the fore-summit of Brecherspitz (1643m). Here, you'll find some unsecured sections with steel wire ropes. It's not a big deal, but being cautious is better.
Once you've crossed this western ridge, there are more signs to guide you. We follow the signs for "Obere Firstalm" and "Spitzingsattel".
Descent from Fore-Summit Brecherspitz to Spitzingsattel
From here, we follow the path towards Spitzingsattel. After descending through the alpine meadows, we reach the gravel road used as a toboggan run in winter. Remember that this is the same road we ignored when we went from the Spitzingsattel to the Brecherspitz? But now we are on the upper part of it. The Obere Firstalm is right in front of us. In about 40 minutes, you'll reach the Spitzingsattel.
How to Return from the Spitzingsattel to the Josefsthal
Once we reach the Spitzingsattel, we return the same way we came up. The only difference is that we stay on the forest road instead of detouring through the meadow. We quickly reach the junction for the Josefsthaler Waterfalls, and from there, we go back to the car. Tired but very happy, we start our journey home.
Final Words: Getting the Most Out of Your Brecherspitz Hike in Germany's Bavarian Alps
Well, you've made it to the end of this epic guide to the Josefsthal to Brecherspitz hike! I guarantee this hike offers a rewarding mix of natural beauty, exciting trails, and unforgettable views. From frolicking near the Josefsthaler waterfalls to conquering the Brecherspitz summit, this route is an outdoor enthusiast's dream.
Pro Tip: Don't rush the hike; each section has charm and secret spots that deserve exploring. From waterfalls and forest trails to panoramic summits, it's a journey as rewarding as the destination.
So, lace up your hiking boots, charge your camera, and get ready to experience one of the hidden gems of the Bavarian Alps. See you on the trails!
