Zugspitze via Höllental

From Hell to Mountaineering Heaven: Generations of mountaineers have made the pilgrimage to the Zugspitze. As early as the end of the 19th century, the ascents were developed with paths, climbing routes, and mountain huts. To this day, Germany's highest peak has lost none of its appeal. The route through the Höllental (Hell Valley) is also very popular. It is the most challenging of the various Zugspitze ascents and offers experienced mountaineers a wide range of experiences. The tour begins with a bang. The Hammersbach stream, squeezed between high rock faces, puts on a wild spectacle in the Höllentalklamm gorge. The rocky amphitheater of the Höllentalanger meadow provides the perfect backdrop for spending the night before the summit attempt in the hut, which was newly built in 2015. The infamous "Brett" (board), an airy traverse along a rock face, offers a first taste of alpine adventure. Although shrinking, the Höllentalferner glacier is still a proper glacier, crevassed, often rock-hard and icy. The final stretch involves a steep and exposed 500-meter climb along fixed ropes through the rock face. Then you stand at the very top and feel like you're in heaven on earth – though you almost never have it to yourself.