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In this section we present a chapter from the book
Per Alpes, Discovering the Alps in 20 circular walks.
Read the tour description below or download
the book here.
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The unknown face of the Wetterstein range
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The Zugspitze massif and its faces: mass tourism and solitude. Foto: J. Essl |
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The Wetterstein range is commonly associated with the Zugspitze, the highest summit of Germany. Even though it does not reach 3,000 meters, thousands of people come up this peak by cableway during fi ne days. However, those who are only familiar with this side of the mountain do not really know the Wetterstein, because there is a completely different face to this range: wild nature, solitude, peace and quiet. During this 6-day trek on the Zugspitze you should be able to get to know it in all its beauty and to understand that this apparently unapproachable crest standing between Bavaria and Tyrol is really worth exploring on foot. It seems incredible to believe that in the deep narrow valleys, framed by steep rock walls, hide waymarked paths. You will be surprised to fi nd that the tour can be relatively easy even without the use of specialist climbing aids.
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The Wetterstein is a very steep limestone massif with some impressive plateaux. The tour entails six very demanding days, at times there are easy climbs that require careful footwork and a head for heights.
Click on map for larger image.
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Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Kreuzeck Haus – Hupfl eitenjoch – (Schwarzer Kopf) – Knappenhäuser – Höllentalanger Hütte |
You can shorten this fi rst day by travelling by cableway, reducing the height gain by 100 m and the travelling time by 2½ hrs. However, the ascent is feasible also if you decide to do it on foot. The trailhead is the Kreuzeckbahn, a Garmisch-Partenkirchen lower cableway station (760 m). From here you walk up trails and roads, traversing ski runs all the way to the hotels in Kreuzalm (1,570 m) and Kreuzeck-Haus (1,650 m). The cableways, once again, leave their mark on the landscape, but after Hupfl eitenjoch (1,750 m) the scenery becomes wilder. If you would like to see the beautiful Lake Eibsee, walk uphill for 10 more minutes as far as Schwarzer Kopf (1,818 m). The descent is rapid and directs you to Knappenhäusern (1,520 m) and then towards the Höllental valley until you reach the Höllentalanger-Hütte (1,381 m). |
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Accommodation
Kreuzeck-Haus (1,650 m): Tel. +49-(0)8821-2202, open from mid May to the beginning of November, DAV.
Höllentalanger Hütte (1,381 m): Tel. +49-(0)8821-8811, open from the end of May to the end of Septmeber, DAV.
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Höllentalanger-Hütte – Riffel Scharte – Riffel Tor – Bus stop Riffelriß - Bayerische Kohlstatt – Wiener Neustädter Hütte |
The Höllental valley is literally surrounded by a spectacular rocky landscape. Walk up the valley and take the deviation to Riffelkar at 1,600 m, where you fi nd fi xed cables to safeguard the path. Once you are at the Riffel col (2,163 m) you can enjoy the view of Lake Eibsee, and then climb up to Riffel Tor (2,230 m) using ropes for safety. After a few turns you descend to the rack railway “Riffelriß”. Keep going down until you reach the Bavarian town of Kohlstatt at 1,520 m then walk up again, on Austrian territory, passing by the Österreichisches Schneekar all the way to the Wiener Neustädter Hütte (2,213 m). |
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Accommodation
Wiener Neustädter Hütte (2,213 m): Tel. +43-(0)676-4770925, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, ÖTK.
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If you don’t climb up the Zugspitze:
If you climb up the Zugspitze:
Wiener Neustädter Hütte – Südwestgrat – (Zugspitze) – Knorrhütte |
Leave hut the Wiener Neustädter Hütte and walk up past the Österreichische Schneekar. Reach the Südwestgrat (2,815 m), and here you have to climb over some rocks looking almost like walls. From the Südwestgrat you can choose to climb up the highest peak in Germany, Zugspitze (2,962 m), extending the journey by 30 minutes. The climbing path is equipped all the way to Münchner Haus. You can reach the golden cross on the peak by walking on an exposed ridge. From the Südwestgrat, descend past the “Platt”, to the Knorrhütte hut (2,052 m). |
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Accommodation
Knorrhütte (2,052 m): Tel. +43-(0)8821-2905, e-mail: info@knorrhuette.de, open from the beginning of May to mid October, DAV.
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Knorrhütte – Gatterl – Feldern Jöchl – Wannigjöchl – Steinernes Hüttl – Rotmoosalm – Telfer Leger – Wangalm – Wettersteinhütte |
Follow the Plattsteig path and head south to Gatterl, then walk up to Feldern Jöchl (2,041 m). Follow the path to Wannigjöchl (2,186 m) and after a few ups and downs below the towering rock faces of the Hochwanner you arrive at the Steinernes Hüttl. After the Kotbachkar it is possible to climb up to Predigtstein peak (2,234 m) in only 25 minutes walk. From this point you can enjoy an exceptional view of the northern side of the Mieminger range. Once you pass the Rotmoosalm (1,904 m), walk up for a short distance to almost 2,100 m, then descend to the foot of Teufelgrat a Wangalm (1,750 m) and fi nally reach the Wettersteinhütte hut (1,717 m). |
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Accommodation
Wettersteinhütte (1,717 m): Tel. +43-(0)676-4153747, e-mail: wettersteinhuette@gmx.at, www.wettersteinhuette.com, open from mid May to mid October, private.
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Wettersteinhütte – Scharnitzjoch – Söller Pass – Meilerhütte |
From the Wettersteinhütte hut (1,717 m) walk up along the Scharnitztal valley as far as the broad ridge of the Scharnitzjoch (2,048 m), covered in meadows. Descend over the vast pasturelands of the Puittal valley to about 1,600 m, then turn left towards the Söller Pass. The very steep and slightly exposed path unfolds on rocky ground until you reach the pass at 2,259 m. Once you reach the breathtaking karstic region of the Leutascher Platt, you soon reach the Meilerhütte hut (2,366 m). |
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Accommodation
Meilerhütte (2,366 m): Tel. +49-(0)171-5227897, www.meilerhuette.de, open from mid June to the beginning of October, DAV.
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Meilerhütte – Schachenhaus – Bockhütte – Bernardeinhütte – Kreuzeck-Haus – Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
Follow the Via Alpina for a short distance, take the path leading you to Frauenalpl, then quickly reach Schachenhaus, where you will fi nd a remarkable hunting castle. The subsequent downhill slope to the Bockhütte (1,052 m) is steep and takes you to the foot of Fleischbänke towards the Stuibenhütte. Cross the Gassental valley and reach the Bernardeinhütte, then ascend to the Kreuzeck-Haus hut (1,650 m). Stay overnight and on the next day a descent of 900 meters brings you to the Kreuzeckbahn lower station. If your legs are tired you can take the cableway. |
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Accommodation
Schachenhaus (1,866 m): Tel. +49-(0)172-8768868, e-mail: info@schachenhaus.de, www.schachenhaus.de, open from the beginning of June to mid October, private.
Kreuzeck-Haus (1,650 m): Tel. +49-(0)8821-2202, open from mid May to the beginning of November, DAV.
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Useful information |
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Tourist information
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourismus:
Tel. +49-(0)8821-180-414, e-mail: kurdirektion@gapa.de
www.garmisch-partenkirchen.de
Tourismusverband Ehrwald:
Tel. +43-(0)5673-20000208
e-mail: ehrwald@zugspitzarena.com, www.ehrwald.com
Informationsbüro Leutasch: Tel. +43 (0)5214-6207
e-mail: info.leutasch@seefeld.com
www.seefeld.com/de/orte/leutasch.php
Service Point of the German Alpine Club at Munich and Isartor stations
DAV-Sektion München: Tel. +49-(0)89-551700-0
e-mail: service@alpenverein-muenchen.de
DAV-Sektion Oberland: Tel. +49-(0)89-290709-0
e-mail: service@dav-oberland.de
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Alpine Guides
Bergführer Zugspitzland: Tel. +49-(0)8821-4011 or
+49-(0)8821-52210, e-mail: h.ettl@t-online.de
or alpin-incentives.Knittel@t-online.de
www.bergfuehrer-zugspitzland.de
Buchwieser.net: Tel. +49-(0)8821-82842
e-mail: mail@buchwieser.net, www.buchwieser.net
Werdenfelser Bergführer: Tel. +49-(0)8821-180744
Fax +49-(0)8821-180755, e-mail: bergfuehrer@gpa.de Bergsteigerschule Zugspitz: Tel. +49-(0)8821-58999
Bergprofi Ehrwald Zugspitze: Tel. +43-(0)676-3117977 e-mail: gruebler@bergprofi .com, http://www.bergprofi.com
Weather
Personal enquiries: Tel. +43-(0)512-291600
(Mon-Sat 13-18 h)
Public Transport
Regionalverkehr Oberbayern:
www.rvo-bus.de
Zugspitzbahn (rack railway):
Tel. +49-(0)8821-797-0
e-mail: zugspitzbahn@zugspitze.de
www.zugspitze.de
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Alpine Clubs
Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV):
Tel. +49-(0)89-14003-0
e-mail: info@alpenverein.de, www.alpenverein.de
Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (OeAV):
Tel. +43-(0)512-59547-0
e-mail: office@alpenverein.at, www.alpenverein.at
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Maps
Alpenvereinskarte, Sheet 4/2 Wetterstein- und Miemingergebirge
Mitte: 1:25.000
Alpenvereinskarte, Sheet 4/3 Wetterstein- und Miemingergebirge Ost:
1:25.000
Websites
www.huettentrekking.de
www.via-alpina.org
www.zugspitztour.de
www.zugspitze.de
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Read more about the resorts around the Zugspitze tour
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Here is an excellent link on how to get there. Wherever you are going.
Michelin
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