Bretterschachten

Bretterschachten, Germany

The elevation at the Bretterschachten Cross Country Centre ranges from 1118 m – 1265 m. There are 114 kilometres of cross country skiing in this area with 10 trails for classic and skating. It is amongst the 10 largest cross country skiing areas in Germany and also in the top 5 highest in elevation.

Getting to Bretterschachten by Air

The nearest airports to Bodenmais are Linz, Munich and Prague. There are six airports within three hours drive. Fly to Munich airport with Easyjet and it is approximately a 2.5 hour transfer to Zwiesel or Bodenmais.

Transfer from Munich Airport

There are rail links to Bodenmais, from there you can get the local ski bus to the Activezentrum where all of the Bretterschachten ski tracks start from.

Transfer to Bretterschachten by Bus and Train

To transfer from Munich to Zwiesel by train, follow the Sign Z for Zentrum from the departure lounge. This is where all the ticket stands are. Look for the Red DB sign or Green S for S Bahn sign. You can purchase a Bayern ticket for the first person (around €22) and. up to 4 additional people only pay €4 each.

Catch the Number 635 Airport bus to Freising Bahnhof Railway Station (don’t go into Munich or you will have to come out again).


Platform 4/Glies 4 is the train to Pass. Get off at Plattling, and you need to change platform for the next train (lift available) to Platform 5, the Green WaldBahn train (Mountain railway) to Zwiesel, probably marked Bayerischer Eisensten. Don’t worry if the train from Munich is a little late getting to Plattling, as the Waldbahn train will wait for it.

Ski bus information/timetable



The ski bus goes from Bodenmais to Bretterschachten from around 21st December to 1st March daily from 09:00 to 16.00 every half hour.  From 2nd to 29th March the bus is hourly. There are 7 ski bus stops around the village and the ski bus transfer is free for holiday guests with the Guti guest card. If you are staying in Zwiesel there is also a ski bus each day, but check the Zwiesel page for the details.

Cross Country Ski Map of Bretterschachten
Bretterschachten cross country ski map
Facilities at Activezentrum Bretterschachten


The spacious activity centre has locker rooms and a waxing room, changing rooms and the use of deck chairs. There is a fee to ski and you can buy a weekly or daily pass at the Centre from the outside kiosk at the start of the tracks. The dial above it shows the current temperature to check your wax and reapply if necessary before setting off.

Cross Country Ski Routes

You can find more  information on the Auerhahnloipe at Loipenfetisch.de

  • Bodenmais fitness trail (Yellow) - Red 4 km - 98 m of ascent

    Start at the main area:

    1K -  easy terrain

    1 - 3K - moderately difficult climbs and descents

    3 - 4K -  moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.

  • Bodenmais Hochzellloipe (Green) - Red 6K - 132m of ascent

    Start from the centre:

    1K - easy terrain

    1-3K - moderately difficult climbs and descents

    3 - 5K moderately steep climb

    5 - 6K moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.

  • Bodenmais Panorama Trail (Purple) - Red 9K - 231m of ascent

    Start from the centre:

    1K - easy terrain

    1-3K - undulating terrain in between a great panoramic view over Bodenmais

    4K - moderate climb up to Hochzellschachten, a broad view of the Arber massif

    4 - 9K - moderate climbs and descents back to the centre.

  • Bodenmaiser Arberschachtenloipe (Blue) - Red 12K 253m of ascent

    From the main start area:

    1K -  easy terrain

    1 - 3 - moderately difficult climbs and descents

     3 - 4.5K -  demanding ascent

    6K -  easy descent

    7K - moderate ascent

    8-9K -  flat terrain with slight ascent

    10-12K - moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.

    This is a varied trail with viewpoints.

  • Bodenmaiser Auerhahnloipe (Red) - Red 15K 316m of ascent

    From the main start area:

    1K -  easy terrain

    1 - 3 - moderately difficult climbs and descents

     3 - 4K -  difficult ascent

    6K -  easy descent

    7K - moderate ascent

    8-9K -  easy descent and rapid ascent

    10-13K - 4-15K - medium to difficult descent and climbs to the return

    Dense forest alternating with open spaces and wonderful views are features of this tour.


    More information at Loipenfetisch.de

  • Bodenmaiser Chamer Hütten Loipe (Orange) - Red 18K - 350m of ascent

    For 1 - 7K the route is identical to the red marked 15 km trail. Then continue for approx 1 km on an easy trail and a 1K  long moderately difficult climb, to the Kleiner Arber refuge (Chamer Hütte) where you can get some well deserved refreshments or shelter at the highest point in the Bavarian Forest at 1289m.


     After 2 flat sections and a short steep descent, the route is integrated into the red trail again.

    Dense forest, open spaces with wonderful views, varied terrain and a cozy place to stop so there is something for everyone on this tour.


    There is an alternative trail -  Auerhahn Road – which provides some flat terrain with medium to hard ascents and an alternative descent to the Chamer Hütte.

  • Auerhahnhöhenloipe Eck (Black) - Difficult 25.8K - 479 of ascent

    This route goes up to the Schareben the same route as the Auerhahnhöhenloipe Scharben and is a difficult route with demanding climbs and descents from Schareben. Almost half way along the Orange route, just near the sign for the walking route to Bodenmais Silberberg-Hallenbad, you will see the sign to a black route which goes to Schareben. Take this for an additional leg to the 18K route, and there is the reward of a restaurant when you reach Berghutte Schareben. Return from here or carry onto the next leg to Bergasthof Eck.


    1-8K - the route is identical to the orange marked 18 km trail

    9-13K - a longer medium to difficult descents, a slight climb, many flat passages and a long easy descent to the Schareben.

    The rest of the route offers demanding climbs and descents.

  • Auerhahnhöhenloipe to Schareben (Black) - Difficult 20K - 308m of ascent

    From 1-8K the route is identical to the orange marked 18K trail. Longer moderately difficult descents up to 13K, a slight ascent, flat passages and a long descent to the Schareben.

    A varied and demanding tour with plenty of viewpoints.

Bretterschachten Yellow Trail - 4K

Bretterschachten Green Trail - 6K

Bretterschachten Purple Trail - 9K

Bretterschachten Blue Trail - 12K
View more
Cafés on Cross Country Routes
You will find the Berghutte Schareben half way down the black trail and they have a healthy variety of snacks, soups and larger meals. info@berghuette-schareben.de.

At the end of the Black trail is the Berggasthof Eck (1073m) which provides food and accommodation near a downhill ski area. info@berggasthof-eck.de.

The Kleiner Arber Chamer Hütte lies on the southern slope of the Kleiner Arber and stands at 1289m and is run by the Bodenmais Ski Club. It is situated just over half way around the Orange 18K loop and provides a very welcome break point. It is open from 11.00 to 17.00 20 December to 31 March with varying times for Christmas (phone +49 (0) 9924/943126 to check). Venture inside and you will find an array of fur lined slippers on the ground floor, where you change out of your ski boots and wear to go upstairs to the restaurant. If you prefer to eat your own bought lunch, there are a few benches outside, which are often in a sunny spot. The hut also offers shared accommodation.
Arriving at Kleiner Arber for lunch
Cross Country Ski Races


The Skadi Loppet used to be held in March each year, but because of lack of snow in recent years, it has moved to the end of January. It is one of the Euroloppet series of races and has the options of 42K and 24K Classic and 32K and 17K Free technique races. The course follows the ski trails mentioned above in various guises.

Where to Stay

There are a variety of areas nearby to stay, and then catch a bus to the Ski Aktivzentrum. The nearest is Bodenmais , which is 5 miles away and also has some small cross country ski tracks, and Zwiesel, around a half an hour away which has another 70 kilometres of tracks.

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