Alpspitze (2628m) - Klettersteig (A/B)

Date: November 1, 2016

The hike to Alpspitze started early, taking the 6:32 train from Munich in the direction of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It was then another 15-minute train ride on the Zugspitzbahn to Hammersbach, the starting point of our hike. 

Note: The shortest ascent of Alpspitze starts at the station of Osterfelderkopf (2033m) which can be reached via the Alpspitze Bahn from Garmisch. 

We decided to do the entirety of the ascent on foot because hiking uphill is a nice challenge and offers solitude in the early morning. We held a steady pace up to Osterfelderkopf. After a rest at the hut there we continued up to the start of the Klettersteig. 

Since it was early November, I wore a Klettersteig set and helmet. There were definitely some icey spots on the way up where it proved to be useful. I would say generally a klettersteig set is not needed for this route (for experienced hikers) during the summer months. A helmet is recommended for protection against falling stones, especially since this is a well trafficed route. 

The peak offers spectacular views of the surrounding moutains and Zugspitze massiv. The route down is not marked as a klettersteig but is steep and requires caution. 

From Osterfelderkopf we descended down towards Hammersbach. The trains do not always stop there and thus we finished the tour in Grainau to catch the train back to Munich