Sonnenspitze

The Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze (2417m) rises strikingly above the valley floor of Ehrwald. The tour can be classified as a very difficult mountain tour, as the approach via the so-called “Hoher Gang” alone requires absolute sure-footedness, and the long stretch is reserved for fit mountaineers.

We recommend crossing the summit from the south (Coburger Hütte) to the north, as the more significant difficulties are to be found in the south-facing ascent.

The route is excellently secured, with belays at a short distance in all difficult sections. This makes the Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze a mountain for pleasure climbers who like to be out and about in a magnificent setting; the view of the Zugspitze, for example, is overwhelming.

If you want to take a more leisurely approach to the tour, spend the night at the Coburger Hütte and make it a two-day tour.

Trip Profile

Grade
Hard - T5
Duration
9 Hours
Length
19 KM
Altitude difference
1474 m
Max Altitude
1668 m
Start
Ehrwald
End
Ehrwald
accomodation
on request
meals
on request
season
May-Oct

Overview

Cross directly above the car park under the cable car to some signposts that guide you toward the Coburger Hütte. Follow the forest road and thus reach the “Hoher Gang.” The path becomes narrower and steeper and finally turns into one secured with wire ropes. After about one h walking, you reach the Seebensee, where you can see the Coburger Hütte. You climb another step on a clear path and reach the hut (approximately two h from the car park), beautifully situated above the Drachensee. There you should treat yourself to some refreshments because the most strenuous part of the tour is still waiting for you.

Turn west (Biberwierer Scharte), and after about 20 minutes, you reach the gravel fields at the foot of the Sonnenspitze. Follow the well-marked path steeply uphill until you reach the challenging section. At first, it is still easy to climb upwards until the belay possibilities begin. Depending on your preference, you continue towards the summit with or without rope protection. The climbing sections alternate again and again with walking terrain.

When you reach the highest point, you are again not at the summit, which can still be reached via a narrow ridge. The ridge is very narrow, and the descent is quite deep on both sides. At this point, the often-used demand for surefootedness and a head for heights is to be understood literally. The ridge section is topped off with a short, very exposed boulder climb (approx. 3m) until you finally reach the summit cross and can enjoy the view.

The descent to the north is much easier than the southern ascent but still very exposed and prone to falling. There is often gravel on top of flat stone, so extreme caution is advised, and you can also secure yourself with a rope here and there. After about 1.5 h, you return to typical walking terrain and later reach the shore of the Seebensee.

After a refreshing footbath, you make your way back via the “Hoher Gang” to the cable car’s valley station.

Directions

By public transport:

Train station near start point: Ehrwald Zugspitzbahn (0.0 Km from start point).

By car:

Address for navigation: Doktor-Ludwig-Ganghofer-Straße 66, A-6632 Ehrwald

From Munich via Garmisch in the direction of Füssen/Reutte to Ehrwald. In Ehrwald, always follow the signs to the Ehrwalder Almbahn and park in the car park of the mountain railway.

Equipment Information

Mandatory:
  • hiking shoes;
  • hiking clothes;
  • rucksack;
  • food and water;
  • helmet;
  • climbing handgloves;
Optional:
  • hiking poles;
  • sun screen, sun glasses;
  • klettersteig set;
  • harness;
  • rain clothes according to the latest weather forecast;
  • first aid kit.

Gallery