The Große Klammspitze in the Ammergau Alps already beckons from afar with its striking rock faces and challenges you to climb it. We followed this call and didn’t regret it for a second – even if the temperatures mixed with icy wind at the summit already resulted in a very tappy affair.
Although the hiking season seemed to be over already, I set out with some friends in late November to spend my weekend in my favorite environment: the mountains. Passing Garmisch and Oberammergau, we arrived at Linderhof Palace near Ettal, where we parked our car and laced up our hiking boots. Very excited for our first snow this winter and full of anticipation for a strenuous but super beautiful hike, we started walking.
Tour data
- Start and end point: Linderhof Palace (fee required); address for navigation: Linderhof 12 Ettal
- Duration / walking time: Approx. 4 hours (there and back)
- Vertical meters upwards: Approx. 1030 hm
- Vertical meters downwards: Approx. 1030 hm
- Trail length: 13.7 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Recommended equipment: Spikes (Grödeln)
- Refreshment stops: Brunnenkopfhütte (May to mid-October)
The tour on Komoot
Note: Before each hike in the fall/winter season, check the current snow conditions in your destination region and possible avalanche warnings. Only start a winter mountain adventure with warm clothing, suitable footwear and the appropriate equipment. The appropriate alpine experience is a basic requirement depending on the terrain and level of difficulty. Up-to-date information on avalanche status can be found at avalanche.report and lawinenwarndienst-bayern.de.
Our Norix 28 Women is the perfect companion for your next hike. Whether in spring, summer, autumn or winter.
We had already read that the first part of the ascent is quite unspectacular on wide forest paths through the forest. We were all the more thrilled again and again when we could spy the sugared peaks through the trees and finally arrived in a snowy landscape after a few meters of altitude. Somehow you always feel like a little kid when you have the snow around you for the first time in a new winter. At least that’s how I feel.
With a now magnificent view over the Ammer Mountains, we continued in the direction of Brunnenkopfhütte, which of course was no longer managed at this time of year. Our path led us past it on the right and now on narrow paths through the snow. Only a short distance behind the hut, a wonderful view of the rugged massif of the Große Klammspitze opened up to us.
The curved path through the snow meandered downhill for a short distance. Following it, we finally landed in the middle of the rocky landscape that towered directly in front of or next to our target summit.
From here the real fun began: a now somewhat steeper climb through the snow up to the summit.
It was not really exposed on this part of the route, which is why we never felt unsafe. But that is of course a personal assessment. However, the ascent was altogether steep and scrambly, which is why I would advise anyone who is not free from giddiness, rather from this tour (in winter).
At one point we also found a wire section along the path to hold on to.
Arrived at the first intermediate level, we could now enjoy a great view of the Ammergau mountain panorama and felt the icy wind now much stronger, as this now blew at us from all sides.
Now the terrain became a bit more scrambly, which was a lot of fun for us personally. Fortunately, the “path” on which you moved further up was quite wide and not really exposed, so we were not afraid to fall. However, I would recommend staying close in these places and (unlike the picture) wearing gloves.
A little later we had made it! In front of us was the beautiful icy summit cross of the Große Klammspitze and we were rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view.
After a quick and especially tasty snack, we quickly started our descent to get back to a sheltered area behind the mountain.
Our way back led us via the same path back down. Most parts of the mountain landscape were now already in the shade, but we still often looked behind us to enjoy the great wintry sight again.
Then we were really lucky towards the end and were able to observe some chamois, which in turn watched us curiously as we wandered through their snowy landscape.
In conclusion, I can say that we really enjoyed the tranquility, the snow and the rugged landscape during our mountain tour to the Klammspitze and started our journey home with a fulfilled feeling and beautiful memories.
Here you can find another tour tip from Maria: The Seebensee and Drachensee lakes – Hike to two of the most beautiful lakes in Tyrol
