The Alpspitze stands strikingly above Garmisch-Partenkirchen - so striking that it has become the symbol of the northern Limestone Alps. With its north face visible from afar and the dead-straight south-east ridge, the Alpspitze has long since overtaken Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Every ambitious ski mountaineer should have climbed the landmark of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at least once in their life - and ideally early in the morning before the lifts open, directly from the Stuibenhütte. The descent down the eastern flank with its sweeping views as far as the Bavarian Alpine foothills is breathtaking and unforgettable!
Ascent with a detour to the Stuibenhütte
From the mountain station of the Osterfelderkopfbahn lift, you ski down to the valley station of the Bernadein lift to warm up. Wearing skins, follow the Bernadeinsteig trail to the foothills of the Stuibenwand and then ascend via the clearing to the hut (approx. 45 minutes). A short rest or even an overnight stay and continuing on in the morning are undoubtedly worthwhile at this sublime spot.
Use the Stuibenhang to climb up to the Mauerscharte (1 hour) and then ski down almost 200 vertical meters. Put your skins back on there and ascend to the Oberkar (2 hours). In a large left-hand bend, you reach the south-east ridge and from here continue on foot along the ridge to the summit (1-2 hours). Alternatively, you can of course ascend directly from the Bernadein lift towards Stuibensee and Oberkar without climbing up to the Stuibenhütte
Variant via the via ferrata
In addition to the classic route via the south-east ridge, there is also the option of a winter ascent from secured terrain - either via the Schöngänge (800 vertical meters, approx. 3-4 hours ascent, less difficult) or via the Via Ferrata via ferrata and through the northern foothills of the Alpspitze (600 vertical meters, approx. 3 hours ascent, difficult). Rumour has it that the steel that was saved by not building the Alpsptiz summit station in the 1970s was used here. In the cold season, most of the via ferrata is covered in snow and the winter ascent should not be underestimated. This is a serious alpine excursion, which is reserved for very experienced ski mountaineers - the same applies to the somewhat less alpine ascent via the Schöngänge. With both variants, you are mostly in drop-off terrain and, in addition to surefootedness and a head for heights, you also need to be in good physical condition before embarking on the ferrata.
Descent
From the summit, the descent to the Oberkar is clearly visible - the eastern flank is the only descent option. It is often used throughout the winter - skiers left rather than skiers right (somewhat steeper) - but is nonetheless the scene of medium-sized avalanches time and again. Special care is required on the steep step into the Oberkar, the steepest part of the descent. Then follow the classic ascent route through terrain of varying steepness and covered in mountain pines. Once you reach the starting point, take the Bernadein lift back to the ski area. The descent into the valley is then via the famous Kandahar run.
Information
Difficulty: Southeast ridge **** / Schöngänge ****/ Ferrata*****
Average steepness / steepest point: 28° / 40° (below the east flank)
Exposure: E, N (ascent variants)
Altitude difference start and finish: 1500 m | 2628 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: 1150 m | 800 m | 500 m (ascent via south-east ridge, Schöngänge, Ferrata); 1150 m
Duration: 4 to 7 hours depending on the variant
Best time of year: all winter
Addresses:Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourismus +49 8821 180 414, Garmisch-Classic Bergbahnen
Directions: From Munich in a southerly direction to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and with the Alpspitzbahn to the Osterfelderkopf.
Topographical maps: AV map, 1:25000, sheet 4/2, Wetterstein and Mieminger mountains - middle sheet, AV map, 1:25000, sheet 4/3, Wetterstein and Mieminger mountains - eastern sheet
