Highest point in Wendelstein massif
The Wendelstein, a mountain in Bayern (Bavaria) with an altitude of just 1,838 metres. And yet the Wendelstein is a striking and well-known mountain in the Alps. The Wendelstein is the highest point in the so-called Wendelstein massif. From atop the Wendelstein, you have a great view of the Bavarian land and nearby Tyrol.
History
To reach the summit of the Wendelstein, plans were made as early as 1908 to build a rack railway. Otto van Steinbeis, a German industrialist, revealed his plans for a rack railway in 1908. Two years later, in 1910, the plans were approved and construction of the 9.95-km-long railway line began.
Wendelsteinbahn
Starting from Brannenburg, on the eastern side of the Wendelstein, a route was laid out that eventually included no fewer than seven tunnels, eight galleries and 12 bridges. On 12 May 1912, the first train crossed the route and on 25 May, the Wendelsteinbahn was officially opened. This rack railway is thus the oldest in all of Bayern.
The Wendelsteinbahn a real experience
The route to the Wendestein is a real experience. The first section from Brannenburg takes the train through forests and beautiful Alpine meadows, but at Gembachau the first climb begins. The train then climbs an altitude of 972 metres. At Aipl, the second climb then begins. Once the train passes Mitteralm at 1,210 metres, another stretch through forests follows. After this, while passing through some tunnels, the train climbs along the rocky eastern side of the Wendelstein to the mountain station at 1,723 metres.
Wendelsteinhohle
On top of the Wendelstein, there is plenty to do. From the restaurant's terrace you have a great view of the surrounding mountains and the vast Bavarian mountain range. Hikers can walk to the top of the Wendelstein at 1,838 metres. At the top of the Wendelstein you will find a weather station. A look at the Wendelsteinhöhle should not be missed during this hike. The Wendelsteinhöhle is Germany's highest elevated corridor system through the mountains where visitors are allowed to look. It is very cold here so wearing warm clothes is recommended. When I visited the Wendelsteinhöhle, there was snow in one of the corridors even though it was high summer.
Finally, you will find a church on the mountain; the Wendelsteinkirche.
To visit the Wendelstein via the little train of the Wendelsteinbahn, you have to take a day. By the way, it is definitely worth it.
Technical details
Within 25 minutes you are taken from the valley station at 508 metres altitude in Brannenburg, to the mountain station at 1,723 metres altitude. The way down takes a bit longer than up; within 30 minutes, the train takes you back to Brannenburg. In between, you have the option to hop on and off at Aipl station at 980 metres and Mitteralm at 1,200 metres altitude. Each train has maximum capacity of 200 people.
View all technical details of the Rack railway Wendelstein.
Wendelsteinbahn cable car
Besides the rack railway, there is also a commuter cable car that allows you to reach the top of the Wendelstein. From the valley station at 792 metres altitude in Bayrischzell-Osterhofen, you can reach the mountain station at 1,724 metres in 7 minutes. The cable car, built in 1969 and opened in 1970, has a maximum capacity of 50 people. Unfortunately, because the cable car is on the west side of the Wendelstein and the rack railway on the east side, you cannot easily combine the two tracks.
