Two Day Trek: Allgäu Alps

Day 1: Vilsalpsee Lake – Landsberger Hut
Elevation Gain: 650 meters | Hiking Time: 2½ hours | Distance: 4.5 kilometers | Highest Elevation: 1,805 meters

From the car park at Vilsalpsee Lake, skirt its eastern shore on a forest road for about one kilometer until you get to the base of the material ropeway of Landsberger Hut. Here, take the left fork onto the path towards “Landsberger Hütte” that zigzags up the mountain through fields of dwarf pines in many switchbacks until you reach Traualpsee Lake, at an elevation of 1,630 meters. Pass the mountain lake and continue walking across rock-laden terrain with a short ascent bringing you to Landsberger Hut, which has a picture-postcard setting wrapped along the glorious mountain scenery.

Day 2: Landsberger Hut – Kirchendachsattel Col – Jubiläumsweg Trail – Vilsalpsee Lake
Elevation Gain/Elevation Loss: 400/1,050 meters | Hiking Time: 5½ hours | Distance: 12.5 kilometers | Highest Elevation: 2,000 meters

From Landsberger Hut, walk towards “Jubiläumsweg” (Anniversary Trail), and follow the path that climbs the meadows to the west. At the fork, take the trail towards “Jubiläumsweg” that gradually ascends to Kastenjoch Saddleback, embedded between Roter Spitze and Steinkarspitze Peaks. Climb the ridge in a southern direction for a very short distance and turn right at the first fork (“Saalfelder Weg”). A gradual descent takes you down meadows studded with scree and talus (do follow the route in this section and bear right at the junction). When the trail reaches a crest, proceed ahead in the same direction. Soon, the trail begins a slight ascent through meadows and gains another saddle that is named Kastenjoch as well. From there, follow the signs for “Jubiläumsweg, Vilsalpsee” again. The trail continues ahead through very rugged terrain (tussock slopes with exposed ridges), levelling off high above the valley bottom and slightly descending later. Eventually, a short, gentle climb takes you atop Kirchendachsattel Col. Beyond the col, the trail leaves Tirol for a short while: on German territory, carry on to “Rauhhorn” and traverse the mountainside above Schrecksee Lake. Bear towards “Rauhhorn” at the next fork where the trail resumes its ascent and traverses the tussock slope up to an elevation of 2000 meters above sea level (in switchbacks here and there and through exposed and rugged terrain at the end). Continue ahead in the same direction and descend a few meters to gain the saddleback south of Rauhhorn Peak. Here, turn right onto “Jubiläumsweg” once more and enter Tirol. First, the trail descends rather steeply, later you’ll traverse the rugged tussock slopes below Rauhhorn Mountain on a well-defined trail. Bear right at the junction and descend through scree and talus slopes. Follow the signs to “Vilsalpsee” on the trail that descends to the right through meadows with scrubs (trees are growing in its lower section) to Vilsalpe. Pass Vilsalpe on your way to Vilsalpsee Lake and skirt its western shore on a level footpath until you reach the north shore (car park).