Geißalphorn

Overview

The Geißalphorn is a steep mountain near Oberstdorf and can be reached relatively easy when you are free from giddiness and can climb UIAA II. Normally there is less trouble at this mountains as all the masses go to the more famous Rubihorn. The mountain is part of the Daumen - Nebelhorn ridge to Rubihorn which is also a really nice traverse. Like Rubihorn the Geißalphorn offers perfect views into the Allgäu Alps and the surrounding mountain groups of the area. You have an extensive view to Rubihorn, Nebelhorn and via ferrata Hindelanger Klettersteig, Entschenkopf and in the South to Hochvogel.

Getting There

The two main routes to Gaißalphorn start at the town of Oberstdorf and at the village of Reichenbach to the north-west of the town. Oberstdorf is located in a dead end valley in the mids of the Allgäu Alps. The closest airports are at Munich and Stuttgart, cities which are connected by motorway A8. Quite central between the two cities there is the intersection "Ulm-Elchingen" from where motorway A7 leads southward in direction of the Allgäu Alps. South of Kempten take A980 west, which ends after a couple of miles/kms where you have to switch to B19 south. This highway takes you all the way to Oberstdorf. For the Oberstdorf trailhead start at the Nebelhornbahn cable-car. For the Reichenbach trailhead you have to switch to OA4 right before you enter Oberstdorf and drive north-eastward for a few km. In Reichenbach there is a parking place at the right side just after the beginning of the village. From Reichenbach you can hike a wonderful route called Tobelweg with waterfalls to Geißalpsee (lake). Then you can ascent to Rubihorn and make the traverse to Geißalphorn from the West or ascent via Geißfuss from the East Side. When you start at Oberstdorf you reach the ridge from Rubihorn to Geißalphorn and also ascent from the West Side. You have to be free from giddiness as the path is narrow and you have deep views. From the East side you ascent on steep boulders to the top, from the West side you go on a steep path and climb an UIAA II passage of 10 m (fixed rope) and via an exposed ladder to the summit with its summit cross.

Red Tape

The whole Daumen Group, to which Rubihorn belongs, is part of the natural preserve "Naturschutzgebiet Allgäuer Hochalpen". The usual rules apply - don't disturb wild animals, don't collect any plants, stay on the marked trails. Dogs should be kept on leash. These rules seem to be rather outdated when you see the brouhaha around the Nebelhorn cable-car stations. But remember, that parts of the group still are remote and can be solitary.

Accomodation

There are many possibilities which are described at www.oberstdorf.de

Maps & Books

Maps Allgäuer Alpen / Kleinwalsertal 1:50000 Kompass Map WK 3 Kompass Verlag ISBN: 3-85491-005-3 Alpenvereinskarten : Allgäu-West 1:25000 Deutscher Alpenverein ISBN: 3928777130 Books Allgäuer Alpen und Ammergauer Alpen Alpin D. Seibert Alpenvereinsführer Rother Verlag ISBN: 3-7633-1126-2 Allgäu 1 - Oberallgäu und Kleinwalsertal D. Seibert Rother Verlag ISBN: 3-7633-4289-3

Images

View Geißalphorn Image Gallery - 24 Images