Höllental Loop under Zugspitze

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 10.7 miles / 17.2 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Höllental, which means Hell Valley, is a valley in Wetterstein Alps (Wettersteingebirge) and lies under the Zugspitze (the highest peak of Germany) on the German-Austrian border in the northern Alps. It is located in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

The moderate to difficult round trip starts and ends in Kreuzeckbahn Talstation (Garmisch Partenkirchen) trailhead and is about 18 km, gaining about 1080 m in elevation.

Are you spending holiday nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Innsbruck and looking for a beautiful, moderate to difficult hiking trip covering moderate altitudes including an attractive gorge and excellent views on the surroundings of the highest peak of Germany? Then, this is a hike just for you.

Basically, the hike can be divided into sections as follows: from Kreuzeckbahn Talstation through the Höllentalklamm gorge to the Höllentalangerhütte cottage, from the Höllentalangerhütte cottage to the Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation, from the Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation to the Kreuzeckbahntalstation. It generally takes about 8 hours for average hikers to complete the round trip, allowing a reasonable time for making refreshment stops.

Tips: Alternatives. Should you decide to shorten the trail and make it easier (by hiking less elevation) you have the following option: Drop POI 1 and POI 5. Make Hammersbach your trailhead. Hike a return trip from Hammersbach (POI 2) to Höllentalangerhütte (POI 4). Park your car at Hammersbach Parking Lot which is about 500 m from POI 2. The return trip Höllentalangerhütte - Hammersbach is about 12.2 km.

The best time to perform this trip is from end of May to middle October when the Höllentalangerhütte cottage is open.

You may park you private means of transportation at Kreuzeckbahn Talstation (full trail) or at Hammersbach Parking Lot (shorter trail).

Höllentalklamm entrance fee in 2010 was 3€ (per adult).

What to bring:
A water protection coat may be handy when crossing the gorge at some places.
Snacks and enough water. You may replenish your supplies at Höllentalangerhütte cottage.
Magnesium (first aid against cramps).

Points of Interest

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Kreuzeckbahn Talstation (766 m)

Make Garmisch Partenkirchen, local part Kreuzeckbahn Talstation (Kreuzeckbahn cableway valley station), your trailhead, which will be also your destination after completing the whole loop.

The next POI is about 1.9 km (or 25 minutes) distant. From the parking lot at Kreuzeckbahn Talstation turn right and head in the direction of Hammersbach, passing meadows.

Hiking between the trailhead and Hammersbach Photo

Kreuzeckbahn Talstation (Kreuzeckbahn cableway valley station) Photo

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Hammersbach

As soon as you reach Hammersbach (at Grainau), turn left. Do not stop here.

The next POI is about 2.8 km (or 48 minutes) distant. Follow the signpost Höllentalklamm (Hell valley gorge) till you come to the Höllentalklamm Eingangshütte (entrance cottage to the gorge).

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Höllentalklamm Start

At the Höllentalklamm Eingangshütte cottage pay a small entrance fee to get further.

The next POI is about 3.9 km (or 1:45 hour) distant. As you are hiking up the Höllentalklamm gorge, enjoy a really impressive narrow romantic gorge bountiful with water performance. You have to overcome bridges, tunnels and water sprays. But do not worry – with a bit of caution it is safe enough. After completing the gorge tour, continue uphill to the Höllentalangerhütte (1381m).

Hölllental valley after coming out of the gorge Photo

Hölllentalklamm gorge - section with hooked rocks atop Photo

Entry to the Hölllentalklamm gorge Photo

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Höllentalangerhütte (1381m)

Make a refreshment stop at the Höllentalangerhütte cottage and enjoy wonderful views on the highest peak of Germany – Zugspitze (2962 m).

The next POI is about 6.2 km (or 1:57 hour) distant. From the cottage turn left and head in the direction of Kreuzeck cableway upper station. The trail rises slowly and is very pleasant. While hiking, occasionally stop for a while and look backwards to admire panoramic views from another angles. Upon reaching the highest elevation point you will notice for a while the Osterfelder cableway station (situated under Alpspitze peak). It is an incredible majestic view. However, continue in the opposite direction, down to the Kreuzeckhaus.

The trail in Höllental valley in direction to Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation 2 Photo

The trail in Höllental valley in direction to Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation 1 Photo

In the Höllental valley with Zugspitze massif in the background including Höllentalferner glacier Photo

Hiking from Höllentalangerhütte cottage to Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation 1 Photo

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Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation (1650m)

Enter the Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation (Kreuzeckbahn cableway mountain station). Do not worry for the ticket for now, you will pay in the valley station.

Take the cableway to get down to the trailhead and complete your trip. The ride is about 2.2 km (or 9 minutes). Enjoy views while spending the last trip leg, comfortable high in the air.

Kreuzeckbahn Bergstation (Kreuzeckbahn cableway mountain station) Photo

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Zugspitze (2962m)

While standing outside the Höllentalangerhütte cottage, admire the highest peak of Germany from the distance of about 3.5 km. Some say, the best view on a peak is always from another place overlooking that peak. Actually, when you are standing on the peak, you see everything around but not the peak itself.