Zugspitze through Höllental: the ultimate summit ascent
The absolute classic to the Zugspitze
The increase due to the Höllental to the Zugspitze (2,962 m) is a high-altitude tour of superlatives. Anyone who climbs Germany's highest peak on this route has to overcome a huge difference in altitude of over 2,200 vertical meters from Hammersbach. This route combines wild gorges, perpetual ice and exposed via ferrata passages to create an incomparable alpine experience.
The path through the Höllentalklamm gorge to the hut
The tour gets off to a spectacular start: the path leads through the narrow, steep Höllental Gorge. In the midst of thundering masses of water, the route is impressively bold. After around two hours, you reach the modern Höllentalangerhütte (1,387 m).
Tip for connoisseurs: If you don't want to tackle the 2,200 m in one go, the hut is an ideal place to spend the night. But be careful: a challenging 1,600 meters of altitude difference in alpine terrain still await you on the second day.
Key points: „board“ and „ladder“
The tour picks up speed behind the hut. The first key section is the notorious „Brett“An exposed traverse on iron pins over smooth rock slabs that requires a head for heights. This nerve-racking passage is followed by a physically demanding ascent through the moraine terrain below the Riffel ridge until you reach the glacier.
Over the Höllentalferner to the summit finale
Before the final via ferrata begins, there is the crossing of the Höllentalferners on. At approx. 2,560 m, the bare glacier remnant and the often treacherous Edge gap (the transition from ice to rock) must be overcome.
The furious finale is a magnificent Via ferrata, which takes you directly to the golden summit cross of the Zugspitze. On this challenging tour, you will be accompanied by a guide throughout. qualified and local mountain guide:in secured with a rope.
Your advantages on this tour:
- Excellent support: Professional guided tour over glacier and via ferrata.
- Flexibility: As a day tour with a strong physical condition or a relaxed Two-day tour bookable.
- Time saving: An overnight stay at the Höllentalangerhütte shortens the summit day by approx. 600 m (2 hours).
Ready for the adventure? Select the „Overnight stay“ option directly when booking and start your summit assault well rested!
Want to find out more about the Höllental?
You can find more information about the route, the difficulties, the via ferrata, the Randkluft and much more in our blog. Also about the historical Path through the Höllental, which a VIVALPIN team walked on the occasion of the anniversary of the first ascent.
You can find more exciting tours around the Zugspitze here!
You can't find a suitable date? Please contact us for an individually organized Höllental tour ().
Are you missing equipment?
You can hire many items of equipment from us, for everything else you will receive a discount of 10% at bergfreunde.de
Here you will find important information on pricing and cancellation policies
If you are traveling with your camper, we may offer you the Pitch at the Wank in a wonderful panoramic location (€ 26,- per night).
For customers of our partner Hornung there are also free parking spaces.
Program and schedule
- Mountain guide with the appropriate qualifications
- Edelrid via ferrata equipment (climbing harness, via ferrata set and helmet on loan)
- Snowspikes or crampons
- 10% discount code for your purchases at bergfreunde.de
Additional costs
- Descent with the Zugspitze cable car
- Snacks
- Arrival
- ev.parking fee
As a day tour:
Meeting point with the mountain guide, issue of rental equipment and ascent of the Zugspitze (2,962 m) through the Höllental valley, descent with the Zugspitzbahn and return to the starting point in Hammersbach.
As a two-day tour:
On the day before, pick up the required rental equipment at the Vivalpin office, ascent to the Höllentalangerhütte on your own. On the day of the tour, meeting point with the mountain guide at the Höllentalangerhütte and briefing on the rental equipment. Ascent of the Zugspitze (2,962 m) through the Höllental, descent with the Zugspitzbahn back to the starting point in Hammersbach. You can find more information and suggestions in the vivalpin.blog!
Note on program changes:
All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The preliminary tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The decision for the final program will be made by your guide on site.
A challenging mountain tour with an ascent of 2,200 m (as a day tour) or 1,600 m (with an overnight stay at the Höllentalangerhütte) awaits you. Descent with the Zugspitzbahn. The ascent requires surefootedness and fitness for up to 6-8 hours ascent (pure walking time) with approx. 5 kg of luggage. The route offers plenty of variety, from easy hiking trails to moderately difficult via ferrata passages (C) and short glacier passages. Accompanied by our mountain guides, the route is suitable for sure-footed mountaineers with a head for heights and the appropriate level of fitness. You can find more information and suggestions in the blog!
The ascent through the Höllental is not for beginners - you should definitely be in very good physical condition and have mountain experience.
You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an email!
"The ascent through the Höllental is our most booked route.
Our mountain guides are well prepared for this. They know the conditions, go at the right pace and take you to the rope on the glacier and on difficult passages or when you get tired.
Nevertheless, you need to be in very good physical condition for the Höllental route. We are also happy to organize a private mountain guide for you and your friends. Then you are more independent and flexible."
Simon pound
Head of Department Mountain School and Local
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