Herzogstand
Mountain Bavarian mountain with hiking trails and lakeside views
A Bavarian peak above Walchensee with a cable car and well‑marked trails. Visitors hike or ride up for panoramic views over Walchensee and Kochelsee, alpine meadows and straightforward summit routes rather than technical climbs.
Herzogstand is a mountain in the Bavarian Prealps, Bavaria, Germany, rising to roughly 1,731 meters. It overlooks the lakes Walchensee and Kochelsee and is a well-known local destination for hiking and panoramic views.
Routes include marked hiking trails along the ridge and a cable car that runs from the Walchensee/Kochel area to a station below the summit, reducing ascent time for visitors. The ridge connects Herzogstand with the nearby Heimgarten, making a popular circular or ridge hike.
The mountain has long been used for alpine recreation and day trips from Bavarian towns; facilities include mountain huts and seasonal visitor services near the summit approaches. Trails range from steep footpaths to gentler walking routes aided by the cable car.
Herzogstand sits in southern Bavaria above the Walchensee basin, within easy reach of local towns such as Kochel am See and Walchensee and within the broader Alpine foreland south of Munich.
- Cable car: A cable car operates from the Walchensee/Kochel area partway up the mountain, shortening the climb to the summit ridgeline.
- Viewpoints: Summit views provide clear vistas of the deep-blue Walchensee and Kochelsee and, on clear days, the Bavarian Alps beyond.
What to See #
- Heimgarten: A neighboring summit that forms a ridge route with Herzogstand and reaches about 1,790 meters, commonly combined into a single day ridge hike.
- Herzogstand summit: The mountain summit itself, rising to approximately 1,731 meters, offers panoramic views over Walchensee and Kochelsee and is reached by marked trails and a cable car partway up.
How to Get to Herzogstand #
Access from the Walchensee area; drive via the B11 and local roads from Garmisch or Munich. Public buses connect to Walchensee; a cable car operates from the Walchensee side to shorten the climb.
Tips for Visiting Herzogstand #
- Take the Herzogstandbahn cable car from Walchensee if short on time-the upper station shortens the ascent considerably.
- Hike the ridge to Heimgarten for a classic Bavarian mountain day with panoramic views over Walchensee.
- Start early in summer to secure parking at Walchensee and to avoid afternoon storms typical in the Alps.
Best Time to Visit Herzogstand #
Summer months are best for hiking and cable car access; winter is for experienced users with proper equipment.
Weather & Climate near Herzogstand #
Herzogstand's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1364 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (177 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (186 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (170 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).