From Ackernalm to Hinteres Sonnwendjoch

During my visit to the alpine farmers at Ackernalm, the dairymaid had more daily tasks to attend to in the stable and hut. I, however, was able to set off on a wonderful day hike to Hinteres Sonnwendjoch.

Ackernalm, at an altitude of around 1,400 m, is the starting point for many rewarding mountain hikes. Veitsberg and Thalerjoch, south of the alpine pasture, already offer magnificent views eastwards over the Thiersee Valley towards Pendling, the Inn Valley and the Kaiser Mountains. To the west, you can see the Brandenberger Ache, Halserspitz and Blaubergkamm, the Rofan Mountains and Guffert. The ascent to the summit of Hinteres Sonnwendjoch, at 1,986 m the highest peak in the Mangfall Mountains, opens up an even wider panorama. From there, you can look north towards the mountains around Spitzingsee, and to the south, the distant view extends to the Central Alps on the main Alpine ridge.

I followed the direct ascent to the summit without difficulty, taking the asphalted farm track to Steinkaseralm, the dirt track to Frommalm, and finally a narrow mountain path. Although cumulus clouds repeatedly gathered over the summit, the cloud curtain gradually lifted, allowing increasingly deep and distant views. The descent then took the form of a small circular tour via Bärenbadalm, which sits in a sunny, south-facing basin below the western summit of Hinteres Sonnwendjoch, offering superb views. From here, the descent back to Ackernalm follows the asphalted farm road again.

In 1884, the alpine community built a small alpine chapel between the huts, which, with its small bell tower and shingled roof above a white facade, makes for a popular photo motif. The interior also displays a simple beauty; opulent Baroque would be inappropriate for the rugged austerity of an alpine location.

After gaining an initial insight into the strenuous daily life of an alpine farmer during my visit to Ackernalm, I am now looking forward to visiting another alpine farmer at Roßalm in Chiemgau.