Tour through the Höllental gorge on the Osterfelderkopf
Tour details
Destination: Osterfelderkopf (2057 m), optional: Alpspitze (2628 m)
Starting point: Hammersbach hikers’ car park (758 m)
Elevation gain: 1300 metres
Difficulty level: medium
Equipment: Approach/hiking boots, hiking clothing
Condition: ⭐⭐⭐
Experience: ⭐⭐⭐
We begin our hike fairly early in the morning – because after reaching the Osterfelderkopf, we want to continue on to the north face of the Alpspitze. We start out from the car park in Hammersbach and follow the signs for the Höllentalklamm. We climb the slightly ascending hiking trail whilst enjoying the relaxing sound of the mountain stream running alongside it.
At the entrance to the Höllental gorge
About an hour later we reach the Höllental hut behind which the imposing Gorge begins. Entry costs 2€ for Alpine Club members and 5€ for all other visitors. The Höllental gorge is the ideal destination for an excursion, particularly in high summer, because no one walking through here is going to stay dry – cooling down is guaranteed. Anyone who doesn’t want to get wet should pack a waterproof jacket for this part of the hike.
Well laid-out paths and tunnels make it easier to advance through the gorge
Incredible interplays of colours
The impressive rocky gorge is about one kilometre long and takes you over bridges, through tunnels and along paths through the magical world of the ravine. The sound of the rushing water makes the experience even more special. After leaving the Gorge, we climb the path towards the Höllentalanger Hut. Soon we can see the Höllental glacier below the Zugspitze and the hikers getting ready to tackle the long path up to the Zugspitze summit. We however turn left at the hut and follow the path to the Osterfelderkopf, and our ascent continues with just a slight incline.
View over the Zugspitze in the morning light
We are amazed by the high, rugged walls of the Waxenstein massif, which accompany us for a while on our adventure. After a few metres of level ground, the summit of Germany’s highest mountain, in all its glory, comes into view. However, the route up to the Rinderscharte along the laid-out hiking trail soon becomes steep again; in places it is marked with red dots and definitely cannot be missed. We enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning between the rock walls of the Alpspitze and Höllentorkopf and as we arrive at the Rinderscharte, the first rays of sunshine light up our faces.
At the start of our climbing tour
Our adventure continues along BW 3 and the Adamplatte to the north face of the Alpspitze. You can find the detailed report on the Alpspitze climbing tour on my blog. Those who would also like a summit experience can choose to climb the Alpspitze from here along the Alpspitz-Ferrata (difficulty level: B). We also descended this via ferrata after our climbing tour.
Velocissima shoes are your most trusted companions on tours like these
If however you are satisfied with an elevation gain of 1300 metres, you can take a short break at the café on the Osterfelderkopf cable car station and admire the beautiful views over the Alpspitze whilst enjoying cool drinks and delicious food. From here you can descend along one of the many paths down to the lower station or take the more leisurely option of travelling down in cable car.
Dorina Osztrogonácz
