Höllenbach Alp and Lake Thum Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Lake · Swimming · Views · Waterfall

A great loop through the Bavarian alps. A mix of road and singletrack, this loop take you through the woods, past hotels, and Lake Thum.

Parking at Mauthäusl inn is free

Mixed trail - narrow forest trails, some forest road, some paved road

Start the trail at Mauthäusl hotel and inn near the town of Bad Reichenhall. Follow the signs to Höllenbachalm (Hell's Creek Alp) - when we were there, the regular trail was closed, so the trail to Höllenbachalm at an underpass behind the hotel. Shortly after the underpass, a narrow forest trail on the left switchbacks up and through the forest for perhaps 15 minutes before going back down to the main road, where you take a left up a gravel road. Keep following the signs to Höllenbachalm, where you pass the restaurant, cross the alpine meadow and re-enter the forest. From here on, follow the signs to Thumsee (Lake Thum) along a saddle, then down to the lake. This is where the trail is at its most narrow, steep and and rocky before you reach another gravel road leading down to the lake. Lake Thum is a popular swimming lake with a large sunbathing lawn area.

At the lake, you can either follow the signs to "Thumsee Ost" or "Thumsee West" to pass the lake either on its right or left side.

From the main road, follow the signs to "Weißenbach über Mauthäusl" in order to return to your starting point. At one point, the "Weißenbach über Mauthäusl" sign leads up a steep flight of stairs with a nice view at the top - we did not take this trail but followed another one also leading to "Weißenbach", which some time later merged back into the other trail so we were able to follow the "Weißenbach über Mauthäusl" signs once more.

At some point the forest trail is closed and the signs lead down to the main road. Cross the main road and follow it for about a mile along its sidewalk. When the sidewalk ends, cross the main road once more, and you'll find yourself back at the place where you started along the forest road at the beginning of your run. Return the same way you came, along the forest trail and through the underpass before ending back at Mauthäusl hotel.

Alpine flora