Round tour through the Wetterstein with Zugspitze - Day 2 - Kreuzeckhaus to Knorrhütte

At the start of the second hiking day, we walk back just over one kilometer on the route from the previous day before a small path branches off to the left from the wide track. The signs mark it as the Bernadein-Steig. This great narrow path first leads us along the slope in switchbacks before we quickly reach the tree line and enter wooded areas. We lose about 500 meters in altitude, the forest becomes denser, and after just over seven kilometers and 2:30 hours we reach the Bockhütte.

The rushing sound of the Partnach flowing past the Bockhütte draws our gaze upstream. We look into the Reintal, our path for the next 5.2 kilometers and just over two hours to the Reintalangerhütte. The ascent is steady, the path is relatively wide and leads us sometimes close to the riverbank, sometimes more along the adjoining forest. On the steep slopes of the gradually narrowing valley, large scree cones have partially formed. The climb continues, and soon we reach the massive waterfall that we had been watching at the end of the valley for some time. Above the waterfall, the river has initially cut sharply into the rock, but further upstream, the valley opens up and the river meanders along. Near the end of the valley, at 1,370 m, stands the beautiful wooden Reintalangerhütte. In front of the hut, the riverbed is scattered with small cairns; we stop in and sit on the lovely sunny terrace.

From the Reintalangerhütte to the Knorrhütte is only just over 3.5 kilometers. However, this stretch has its challenges, as it requires climbing 676 meters in altitude. The landscape changes. Initially, meadows and shrubs dominate the scene, but vegetation quickly disappears and the rocky landscape of the Wetterstein Mountains dominates the scenery. The Felsensteig lives up to its name. Step by step, we ascend in switchbacks. With every meter, the surroundings become more rugged; massive rock walls rise on both sides, and by this point, we have definitely entered the alpine part of our route. After 2 to 2.5 hours, we reach our day's destination, the Knorrhütte.