Höllkopf

Overview

Well Höllkopf (engl. "hell-head") is neither from hell nor a very spectacular mountain if you look at its shape. The pros of it is a phantastic panorama and quite easy access and ascent. On the other hand the altitude difference of about 1200m/3937ft shouldn' t be underestimated. The ascent can be shortened by the Marienbergjoch cable car (starting in Biberwier) to about 500m/1640ft, which makes the mountain interresting for families with children.

I think most of the ascents of this mountain are "short-visits" if you' re in the area, because in summer it is no real alpinistic goal to go for. But in winter it offers a nice ski-tour. The mountain is an easy hike summer, but doing the trip in winter is quite dangerous if avalanche danger is high. Check the avalanche situation with the link in the mountain conditions section below.

Not depending on which way you have chosen to get up there, you are rewarded with splendid views. To the north the impressive south walls of Grünstein (2661m/8730ft) and Griesspitze (2741m/8993ft) catch your eyes. Lechtal Alps cover the west and the south is build by the glaciers of Stubai Alps and Öztal Alps. To the east you have a beautiful view to the Karwendel and the Inntal.

Maps and routes overview

Maps:

• KOMPASS #5 - Wettersteingebirge Zugspitzgebiet
  Good overview map of the hole Wetterstein/Mieming Range area. For hiking porpuses this map is sufficient (scale 1:50000). The map can be bought at www.amazon.de or at KOMPASS.
• Alpenvereinskarte 4/1 Wetterstein- und Mieminger Gebirge, West
  More detailed map (1:25000) of the western part of Wetterstein/Mieming Range area.

Routes:

• From Biberwier via Marienbergjoch
  Trailhead is the valley station of the ski area Biberwier-Marienbergjoch. The Barberasteig starts there and leads up to Marienbergjoch (1789m/5870ft). From there trail #29 turns left (east) and leads up Hölltörl (2126m/6975ft). Choose a way up the summit slopes of Höllkopf since I haven' t seen a marked trial or something like that.
• From Nassereith
  Trailhead is the parking lot at Forsthaus Arzkasten (1151m/3776ft). From there you have two options. The first one is to ascent trail #812 via Lehnberghaus to the Hölltrörl. The other one is to follow trail #27A to Marienbergjoch.
• From Coburger hut
  There are several ways to get to Coburger hut (see the hut-page for details). From Coburger hut you have to ascent to Grünsteinscharte and descent Höllreise (trail #812). Watch out for trail #29, which seperates from trail #812, leading up to Hölltörl (2126m / 6975ft), which is at the bottom of the summit slopes of Höllopf.

Summit Panorama

180° panorama from the summit Höllkopf from east to west.

Getting There

Mountain conditions

Weather:

• www.wetter.com
  Precise, but sometimes inaccurate weather forecast for Ehrwald (about 5km from Biberwier).
• ZAMG
  Not as detailed as the link above, but quite accurate forecasts.
• OEAV weather forecast
  Weather forecast especially for mountaineering porpuses. Unfortunately this page is available in german only.
• Avalanche report (Tyrol/Austria)
  As noted before, this german internet page offers the current avalanche report for Tyrol.

Webcams:

Red Tape

There are no permits, fees or seasonal closures.
Parking at the trailhead in Biberwier is free. There is a parking lot at the chairlift. Additionally parking in Ehrwald at the "Ehrwalder Alm Bahn" is free, too. I don' t know if parking at the parking lot of Forsthaus Arzkasten is free.

Camping

Ehrwald is a touristic area with tons of hotels and places to stay. For more information visit the multilangual homepage of the area. Garmisch-Partenkirchen isn' t far away as well, which offers even more hotels.

The only place to stay at the mountain is Coburger hut or Lehnberghaus (open from May-October). From Coburger hut you have to ascent to Grünsteinscharte and descent Höllreise (trail #812). Watch out for trail #29, which seperates from trail #812, leading up to Hölltörl (2126m / 6975ft), which is at the bottom of the summit slopes of Höllopf.

I think camping on the mountain is not forbidden, since it is no nature reservation area. Between Marienbergjoch and Hölltörl I' ve seen several cool spots to bitch a tent. If you camp there, please leave only footprints.

When to climb

Höllkopf can be climbed all the year. I think in summer this peak is quite popular, but in winter I think you' re mostly alone. If you intend to ascent Höllkopf in winter, please take care of avalanches, since the final summit slopes are quite steep (>25°). Unfortunately the avalanche report of Tyrol is available in german only.

Page history

Images

View Höllkopf Image Gallery - 12 Images