Spitzstein, Mountain summit in Chiemgau Alps, Germany and Austria
Spitzstein is a mountain summit on the border between Bavaria and Tyrol, sitting at around 1,600 meters in the Chiemgau Alps. The peak can be reached from both the German and Austrian sides, with trails starting from several different points in the surrounding valleys.
Since the 18th century, the mountain has marked the border between Bavaria and Tyrol, a line that followed the territorial divisions of the Habsburg Empire. This boundary shaped how the communities on either side grew and stayed connected over the following centuries.
Hikers from both Germany and Austria regularly meet at the top, sharing the same viewpoint across the border. The two summit crosses standing side by side give the place a particular character that visitors from either side tend to notice right away.
Many hikers begin from Altkaser Alm or the parking area near Erl, with the summit reachable in about an hour from either starting point. At this elevation, the weather can shift without much warning, so wearing layers and solid boots is a good idea no matter the season.
Two crosses stand at the summit, one for Germany and one for Austria, placed exactly on the national border line. It is one of the few places in the Alps where an international border runs literally between two summit crosses.
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