Herzogstand and Heimgarten ring

An easy circular hike on two beautiful peaks overlooking the German plain. Being the very first peaks rising from the plain and distant from other mountains on the northern side, the view from these summits is particularly expansive. Perfect itinerary for a day of clear, blue skies.

We start from the parking lot of the Herzogstand cable car (Herzogstandbahn) (813m, 5€). From here, it's worth taking the cable car, which takes us up to about 1600 meters altitude (8€) - alternatively, you can hike up via trail H2/446 (1.45 hours).

From the mountain station of the Herzogstand cable car (1600m), we make our way through a dense crowd of hikers and reach the Herzogstandhäuser (there's a snack bar here) on flat terrain. From there, following a path that cuts 6 or 7 precise switchbacks in the mountain, we reach the panoramic summit of Herzogstand (1731m, 0.40 hours). At the summit, a peculiar, huge pagoda awaits us, with panels narrating the geology and history of the area.

From here, we take the Gratweg ("Ridge Trail") which descends westward towards our next destination, the peak of Heimgarten. The traverse is about 3km, equipped with a couple of handrails at the most "exposed" points, therefore never dangerous. With one final push uphill, we reach the summit cross of Heimgarten (1788m, 1.20 hours) and, just below, a beautiful mountain hut with an idyllic panoramic terrace - imaginatively named Heimgartenhütte.

The descent offers spectacular views first over the valleys to the south, blanketed in conifers as far as the eye can see. And further ahead, over Lake Walchensee. Returning to the valley floor, we follow a stream that leads us back to the cable car parking lot (813m, 2 hours).