Grosser Rettenstein

The most striking summit in the Kitzbühel Alps, nature at its best and a unique panoramic view.

An insider tip for Kirchberg in Tirol: The Grosser Rettenstein in the Spertental-Aschau protected landscape is the highest peak (2,366 m) in Kirchberg and therefore offers a guaranteed spectacular panoramic view.

The striking formation of the Grosser Rettenstein is rugged, rocky and juts out unexpectedly from the green landscape. The mountain, which can be seen from quite a distance, has special geological status due to its 400m thick limestone layer.

Großer Rettenstein in Kirchberg in Tirol

Einer der beeindruckendsten Gipfel der Kitzbüheler Alpen - der Große Rettenstein. Diese Wanderung führt Sie vom südlichen Seitental Kirchbergs in Tirol, der ...

Details

Type: Full day tour
Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 5 km
Highest point: 2,366 m
Elevation gain: 1,200 m
Elevation loss: 1,200 m
Level: hard / black
Equipment: Sturdy hiking boots, provisions, weather-appropriate clothing

Special waypoints: The Kasplatzl Cheese Dairy invites you to take a break and recharge your batteries with alpine produce fresh from the farm and observe how the cheese is made through a glass panel. There are also many special waypoints that will definitely leave an indelible impression on you.

Refreshment stops: At the beginning and end of the hike, the Kasplatzl Cheese Dairy is a great place to stop. The Alpengasthaus Labalm is also located near the start of the hike. As a member of KochArt (CulinaryArt), Labalm offers a delectable range of regional and culinary delights. If you choose the Spießnägel route, you will then be able to stop at the Hirzeggalm mountain hut. Only at the Rotwandalm mountain hut (depending on the direction on the first third of the hike uphill, or downhill in the last third.)

Hike to the Großer Rettenstein

HardLevel
6:30 hDuration
14,4 kmDistance
2366 mHighest point
1338 mUphill
1333 mDownhill
Details

The mountains in Brixental offer unique panoramic views for you to enjoy.
The Grosser Rettenstein is a real insider tip in Kirchberg in Tirol.
The summit with its summit cross is the most striking peak in the Kitzbüheler Alpen.
The Grosser Rettenstein is the border area to Salzburg Pinzgau.
The highest point on the Grosser Rettenstein is at 2,366 m.
At the summit of the Grosser Rettenstein, you can savour a breathtaking panorama. In spring, you can still see remnants of snow left over from the winter.
At the summit of the Grosser Rettenstein, you can enjoy an impressive view of the Hohe Tauern and its many three-thousand metre peaks.

Location of the Grosser Rettenstein

The Rettenstein is the most striking peak of the Spertental region. Thanks to its isolated location, it is known for its spectacular view from the summit. To the north, the Rettenstein features the elongated ridge of the Spießnägel that separates the upper and lower ground. The Grosser Rettenstein is also the border area to the Salzburg Pinzgau. That is why there are two summits: the Salzburg summit and the Tirolean summit. If you ascend from the south side, you'll find some very appealing routes for climbers.

You can ascend from Aschau near Kirchberg in Tirol or from the south side via the Mühlbachtal Valley in Oberpinzgau (municipality of Bramberg).

Via the Spertental Valley nature reserve at the start of the hike

The Spertental Valley in Aschau near Kirchberg is one of the most important outdoor recreation areas in the region and is classified as a protected landscape. The valley, which holds the source of the Kirchberger Ache river (that flows into Lake Chiemsee), begins right at the geographic heart of the Kitzbühel Alps. From here, the path gently rises towards the start of the hike.

The trail captivates hikers thanks to breathtaking landscape. Highlights along the route include the newly built suspension bridge, which takes you directly over a waterfall. The small viewing platform at one end of the bridge allows you to observe the majestic power of the cascading waters. The comfortable benches and info panels make it the perfect place for a short break before you continue along the trail. A short distance further, the valley opens up, giving you a splendid view of the Grosser Rettenstein.

According to legend, the waterfall at the floor of the valley at Unterer Grund is said to conceal a heavy iron door, behind which there is a steep staircase to the former Falkenstein Castle. It is also said that once upon a time beautiful, wild girls from Falkenstein came out of this door every year during the summer grazing season to meet the young herdsmen who tended their flock here. Each of them had chosen a herdsman and would bring with them an apron filled with precious treasures each time they met. But all this had to be done with the utmost secrecy. None of the beautiful ones could be seen by anyone other than their herdsman. One day a young lady, who had chosen a particularly good boy, came to the meeting place very sad. She had brought a valuable gift and said: "Today is the last time we will see each other. I will never be coming back." What had happened? Well, the other herdsmen had noticed that their friend always received particularly beautiful gifts. Out of curiosity, they followed him and saw the girl. Now the secret was out and the good time had come to an end almost as quickly as it had begun. The wild, young girl had the shepherds in a tizzy for a while. Otherwise they would have peaceful cows grappling with each other, with the weaker ones winning the tussles, which would injure the pride of the herdsman whose cows had lost the battle. The young woman also saw to it that the animals went crazy for a while and the herdsmen had to look for the livestock in the rain or cold, sometimes long into the night. No major harm came to anyone. While such things were happening, the boys were sure that there wild young lady still existed, but she was never seen again.

Nature as far as the eye can see

From the starting point, the forest path twists and turns and gently rises to the Schöntalalm meadow. As you walk, you can admire magnificent two-thousand-metre peaks opposite the valley. Shortly before you reach the Schöntalalm, the rock peaks of the Spießnägel will appear on the left. In late spring, the fragrant, yellow mountain cowslip bloom in this alpine meadow. It is one of our protected alpine species.

From the Schöntalalm follow the trail through the Schöntalsenke and then up to the Schöntalscherm, a barn for the alpine cattle.
The adjacent steep grass slopes are a popular grazing area for the chamois, who consume the healthy mountain grass in summer to build up their reserves for the barren winter months.

Before the climb to the Grosser Rettenstein, the Schöntalquelle spring offers the ideal place for a short rest. Here you can quench your thirst with the fresh spring water, which is suitable to drink. After a short rest, you are ready to tackle the last stage of the ascent.

The entire Spertental in Aschau near Kirchberg in Tirol has been declared a protected landscape by the state of Tirol for its beauty and unique nature since 1984. The alpine meadows are filled with colourful wildflowers; the flora on the Rettenstein includes pine, spruce, gentian, willow gentian, mountain cowslip, edelweiss and blue monk's-hood. There are also large number of wild animals in the Spertental Valley such as roe deer, red deer, chamois and ibex and marmots. Grouse, such as wood grouse and black grouse, also find a suitable habitat here and even the ptarmigan can still be found in the alpine areas. And if you look closely, you can sometimes spot ibex or an eagle on the Grosser and Kleiner Rettenstein. For more information about native flora and fauna see Naturlehrpfad.

Interactive Map

Plan your tour to the Großer Rettenstein with our interactive map. In addition to the specific data and facts about the tour, you will find further, specific route information, an altitude profile of the tour and GPS data to download. Directions as a PDF are also waiting for you.