The Säuling is a striking, pyramid-shaped peak straddling the German-Austrian border, one of the landmarks of the region between Füssen and Pfronten. Its steep silhouette rises abruptly from the rolling hills below and is visible from far away, especially when approaching from the north.

Standing at 2047 m (German survey) or 2048 m (Austrian survey), it's one of the best-known 'two-thousanders' in the region. From the summit and the German side, hikers are treated to sweeping views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles along with the lake-studded landscape of the Ostallgäu. From the Austrian side, the view opens onto the largely unregulated valley of the Lech river near Reutte. The mountain's terrain shifts from gentle grassy slopes to rugged limestone walls, offering something for both hikers and climbers across the seasons.

How to reach the summit

• Via Säulinghaus mountain hut (1693 m) — hiking trail, secured with via ferrata-style aids in the uppermost section, moderate difficulty
• From Hohenschwangau via Wildsulzhütte and the northeastern rocky slope (Schrofenhang), descending via Säulinghaus and around the Pilgerschrofen — total walking time 6 to 7 hours, demanding route

Practical information

• The upper part of the standard route includes sections secured with climbing aids (steel cables/rungs)
• The Säulinghaus, run by the Augsburg section of Naturfreunde Deutschland, offers refreshment and shelter along the way
• Numerous memorial crosses and plaques along the route, many for young climbers, are a sober reminder that this peak should not be underestimated

Local legend holds that witches once used the summit plateau as a dance floor, and a stone cross near Roßhaupten is said to be carved from a rock the devil once tore from the Säuling itself.