Through Hell Valley and over the Knappenhäuser to the Kreuzeck

This medium-difficulty half-day tour combines some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the region. It's hard not to be amazed and marvelled at!

Tour tip: The historical monuments along the way are an unrivalled experience, especially for those who are interested. In addition to the salt mine in Berchtesgaden, the former molybdenum mine in Höllental is the only high-alpine mine in Germany. Next to the old railway line you will find the power station and the water pipes from which the electricity for the entire operation was obtained.

Ascent: The best place to start the tour is either at the Kreuzeck railway station or in Hammersbach. Directly at the Hotel Hammersbach, the initially wide path climbs steadily through the mountain forest to the Höllentalklamm gorge, which was opened in 1905. After approx. 2 hours you reach the Höllentalangerhütte. From there, the mountain trail leads to the gleaming white miners' houses, a relic from times long past when a total of 28,000 tonnes of ore were mined there for steel refining. After the 1,760 m high Hupfleitenjoch, the Kreuzeck is not far away.

Descent: From the Kreuzeck you have a choice: Either take the cable car down into the valley or descend via the steep Jägersteig trail and the Waldkopf back to Hammersbach (additional max. 2 hours). The trail joins directly at the starting point in front of the Hammersbach chapel.