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TouringTip | Grünstein bypass

Ski touring classic in the Mieminger Kette

by Johannes Wolf 12/17/2020
The Grünstein bypass is a real classic in the Mieminger mountains. Even if it is certainly not the loneliest tour, the circuit with its more than 1500 m descent offers a treat to many in terms of scenery and downhill technique.

Note: The PG touring tips are general descriptions of tours that we like subjectively. Our touring tips do NOT refer to CURRENT CONDITIONS. Read the situation report and the weather forecast and plan your tour accordingly.

The Mieminger Kette is a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps in the Eastern Alps. The Grünstein is one of the better-known peaks and a real classic among ski touring circuits. The tour conveys the finest Dolomite feeling due to the surrounding mountains.

Route description

The starting point of the tour is the small Marienbergalm ski resort in Biberwier. You start directly from the parking lot, either on foot across the ski resort or with the help of the lift to the Marienbergjoch (1789m). You can buy special tickets for the tour at the ticket office. The ascent towards Hölltörl begins at the Marienbergjoch. To do this, you cross a mountain pine-covered area to the south-east until you reach the Hölltörl, a saddle between the Grünstein and the Höllkopf at 2126m. From there, the first descent starts in an easterly direction into the so-called "Hell" at approx. 1760m. At the bottom of the "Hölle" you now ascent again and climb via the "Höllreise", a wide cirque, approx. 400m up to the Grünsteinscharte. You should keep fairly central here, as the steep gullies to the left and right can cause major self-triggered avalanches, especially in spring.

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Once you have reached the Grünsteinscharte, you have to decide whether you want to descent directly north-east to the Tajatörl or continue a little further towards Drachensee. The latter option offers a much longer descent, but you also have to climb a few more meters to reach the Tajatörl at 2259 meters. The start of the descent is very steep at first, but quickly becomes flatter. Afterwards, as mentioned, you can either cross directly to Tajatörl or ski slightly to the left towards Drachensee.

From Tajatörl, the next descent begins in the direction of Brendlkar. If you want a somewhat steeper descent, you can climb a few more meters north along the ridge at Tajatörl and ski down towards Brendlkar from there. Alternatively, you can take the Hinterer Taja-Kopf with you. Once you reach the Brendlkar, keep left at approx. 1980m and you will reach the small Brendl lake. From there, ski along the Taja-Kopf Nordgrad into the valley until you reach a cross-country ski trail. Follow this trail slightly uphill to the east and finally to the Ehrwalder Alm ski resort. The piste takes you back to Ehrwald. The return journey to Biberwier is then by ski bus.

Tour details:

Difficulty: 2-3

Exposure: All

Altitude difference uphill: 950m with use of the cable car

Altitude difference downhill: 1600m

Duration: 5-6 hours.

Best time of year: February, March

How to get there: From Reutte, take the Fernpass road to Ehrwald and continue to Biberwier. Shortly before the end of the village, turn left into the parking lot of the Marienberg lifts.

Topographical maps:
-AV map 4/2 Wetterstein and Mieminger Gebirge Mitte
-Freeride Map Garmisch Zugspitz-Arena

Photo gallery

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