Grünstein

Grünstein stands in the Berchtesgaden Alps, a limestone massif that rises above the village of Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. The mountain reaches 1,304 metres and its slopes lie within the Berchtesgaden National Park. From the summit a broad view opens over the valley basin, taking in the village below and the surrounding ranges of Watzmann, Steinernes Meer and Hoher Göll. The summit also overlooks the Reiteralpe and Hochkalter groups to the south-west. The contrast between the steep rock faces and the gentle valley floor makes the scene striking. The easiest way up takes about an hour and a half from the Hammerstiel car park in Oberschönau. The path passes the Grünsteinhütte at 1,220 metres before reaching the top. A steeper start can be made from Königssee, joining the same route at the hut. Once on the summit, walkers can continue to the Kührointalm, a high alpine meadow at the foot of the Watzmann massif. The crossing offers views of the sheer Watzmann east face and the gentler slopes of the Untersberg. Climbers have several routes to choose from. The Isidor route, finished in August 2009, leads to the summit at difficulty level C. A harder variant at level D branches off further right, rejoining the main route after a third of the climb via a suspension bridge. Since 2011 the Räuberleiter variant at level D/E has provided a longer challenge, joining the level D route just below the bridge. In 2013 the Intersport-Renoth Gipfelwand opened, featuring overhanging sections at the same grade. The summit also hosts one of six Galileo test transmitters that help develop Europe’s satellite navigation system.