Großer Traithen Ridge in Winter

Back in September 2024, I posted a list of hiking ideas, including Nebelhorn (2224 m) and Simetsberg (1840 m). This ridge got on the list and remained there until Mikuláš finally convinced me to do it. With no counterarguments, I agreed and asked Maksym, a former DAAD scholar, to join.

We started off at the frozen Sillbach waterfall near Bayrischzell. Immediately, I realized my mistake of not bringing crampons. The asphalt was icy, and I slipped all over the place. There was a very small section of the trail without snow, but it was too short to make a difference. Soon, we were going through a snowy trail in the forest.

As we reached Fellalm-Sattel (1645 m), the snowstorm intensified. The wind was howling, and visibility dropped significantly. We debated whether to continue or turn back. It was really disappointing to only visit the first peak or to turn back without reaching any summit. However, we decided to press on, hoping for better conditions at higher altitudes.

The path from the saddle to the slope of Großer Traithen (1852 m) was the worst part of the hike. The wind was relentless, and the snow was blowing horizontally, making it difficult to see. It also got freezing real fast. When the slope started, the route got much better. The wind was blocked by the mountain and the pine trees. We could finally enjoy the hike without battling the elements.

When we reached the summit of Großer Traithen (1852 m), the wind picked up again. Still, we found a spot between the rocks to have a quick snack and take in the leftovers of the view. Although we were happy to have made it to the top, we realized that the ridge was just starting, and we had a long way to go to reach Oberaudorf.

The way to Unterbergerjoch (1796 m) was relatively easy, with a gentle descent. The wind settled down, and we could enjoy the scenery. At that point, we still haven't seen any other hikers, which was surprising given the popularity of the area.

We kept going towards the next peak, and eventually passed by the Karl Ruppert memorial plaque. Somehow, it wasn't covered by snow despite the harsh weather. As we continued towards Steilner Joch (1747 m), we actually saw a hiker approaching from the valley. At that point, we were pleasantly surprised to see other people on the trail. Now, however, I'm even more surprised. The path from Seeon Alm to the peak has a level A via ferrata section, but this didn't seem to deter the hiker.

The Steilner Joch (1747 m) summit itself was uneventful. The view from it is roughly the same as the previous peaks. However, the lower elevation meant that the scenery was hidden by the other mountains. This mountaintop is the last one on the more or less level ridge before the steep descent to Oberaudorf. Once we saw the descent, we were eager to complete the challenge and head down to the town.

The last part of Steilner Grat was a bit annoying. The top of the ridge was covered with a rock wall and a spiky fence, forcing us to go around it and cross over it multiple times. I'm pretty sure I damaged my pants on the rocks. We also passed Brünnstein (1634 m), which I decided to climb later in the year from the other side.

The rest of the way was quite straightforward. We descended through the forest, occasionally stopping to admire the view and look back at the ridge we had just crossed. Some sections of the road were clear of snow, making the hike easier. On the other hand, some parts were still covered in ice, requiring careful footing.

We didn't have time to be careful though, as we needed to catch the train back to Munich. We hurried down the trail, passing the helicopter landing site in Rechenau and some snow clearing machines. Finally, we reached Oberaudorf and made it to the train station just in time.

Overall, the hike along Steilner Grat was a challenging but rewarding experience. Despite the harsh weather conditions, we managed to complete the entire ridge and enjoy the stunning views along the way. I would definitely recommend this hike to others, but in winter, make sure to bring proper gear like crampons and gaiters, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.