The Breitenstein in the Wendelstein Group above the charming Leitzach Valley is not a lonely peak in the Bavarian Alps. But we combine this magnificent panoramic summit with the so-called “Breitenstein-Window”, which is listed in the maps as a natural monument. The route there is neither signposted nor marked and leads along hard-to-see paths through steep forest terrain. We reserve this lonely and rewarding variant for the descent and climb up from Birkenstein first via the Kesselalm to the Breitenstein summit, which is 1,622 m above sea level. We can manage this ascent of 770 vertical meters from Birkenstein in a comfortable 2 – 2.5 hours.
After enjoying the alipne panorama spreading out in front of us, we stop at the rustic Hubertus Hut before heading towards of Breitensteinfensterl and enjoy a hearty alpine snack with bacon, cheese and a schnapps.
Then it gets a little more adventurous. In narrow steep switchbacks we descend to a rock ledge to the west, where wind and weather have carved the famous Breitenstein-Window over thousands of years. We take our time so that everyone gets an impressive Instagram shot, and after a total of 6 hours we are back in Birkenstein enriched with many impressions.
At the end of the tour we visit the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary in Birkenstein, which began with a small chapel on a “stone” in 1673.
As an encore after the end of the tour, I take my group to a legendary cake dinner in a pastry shop in the Leizachtal, which will probably not remain an insider tip for long with the huge, delicious pieces of cake that you can enjoy out on the sun terrace.
