Rauheck ("Rough Corner") is a peak in the Allgaeu Main Range (Allgäuer Hauptkamm) and as that part of the Allgaeu Alps. It lies on the German- Austrian border and forms the head of the Dietersbach Valley to the west, the Hornbach Valley to the east and the Oy Valley to the north.

Although rising 1000 meters above the upper Dietersbach Valley it is, at first sight, an unimposing peak. Its northwestern side however displays a silent beauty with the long, very clean- cut northwest ridge and its nearly perfectly triangular, rocky north face that falls steeply for some 400 meters to the two Eisseen at its foot.
Together with its sister peak Kreuzeck (2375 meters), from which it is separated by an unnamed saddle, it forms a kind of cirque from which issues the Dietersbach, which than plunges down for 250 meters to the floor of the valley, making the Dietersbach Falls one of the highest falls in Germany.

As a traverse of Rauheck forms part of the quite popular trail from the Prinz Luidpold Haus to the Kemptner Hütte and onwards to the Heilbronner Weg, the most famous of all trails in theAllgaeu Alps, the mountain is visited regularly, but is nowhere as crowded as the Hohes Licht or other peaks actually on route the Heilbronner Weg. Those who ascend Rauheck from the Dietersbach Valley via the Älplesattel are comperatively few, making the climb, which is devoid of technical difficulties, the more enjoyable.

The Wilden Group with Grosser Wilder (2381 meters) and Kleiner Wilder (2308 meters) are situated to the immediate north of Rauheck. Hochvogel (2592 meters) shows prominentely to the northeast.

Rauheck, like the peaks of the neighbouring Höfats Group, consists of aptychic limestone, a type of rock providing ideal conditions for the growth of grass and flowers (which are very abundant even on the top itself). That is why the mountain is nearly completely grass- covered from base to summit, even in the near vertical sections.

The mountain boasts no real climbing history. Who made the actual first ascend seems not to be known, but it is quite certain that early hunters in search of game have been the first.

The Hornbach Chain, the range containing the highest peaks of the Allgaeu Alps, dominates the view to the southeast of Rauheck. To the left is Marchspitze (2610 meters) and to the right Grosser Krottenkopf (2657 meters), the highest peak in the Allgaeu Alps.

As the east to west running ridges in this part of the Allgaeu Alps are relatively low, the view from the summit of Rauheck is quite comprehensive. Most peaks of the western part of the Allgaeu are visible, as well as the western part of the Hornbach Chain. Beyond the Lechtal the Lechtaler Alps stand out and even the distant peaks of the Silvretta and the Rätikon might be seen on a clear day.

Getting There

The logistical centre for climbs in this part of the Allgaeu Alps is Oberstdorf, which is most conveniantly reached by car. By way of the provided link you will be able to inform yourself about accomodation, timetabels etc.

It might also be reached by train with direct connections from most major German cities, including Munich or Frankfurt.

The actual trailhead for the climb is either Oberstdorf itself (if you choose to go via the Oy Valley), or the parking lot at Renksteg, a few kilometers to the south of the city (parking is 3 € per day). Renksteg is also served by public bus.

Red Tape

No red tape whatsoever!
The only thing to consider is that Rauheck lies within the confines of a nature reserve, so try to be responsible, do not litter the place, pick no plants and do not disturb the wildlife (if you´re lucky enough to see any).

When To Climb

can be climbed year around. The best time is probably mid June (when most of the snow will have melted) to the end of September. The Allgaeu is a pretty snow- rich region and ski mountaineering should be possible between December and April.

Click here to get up to date weather information for Oberstdorf.

To inform yourself about conditions higher up in the mountains, there is a webcam on the summit of the Nebelhorn, while the Lawinenwarndienst Bayern will provide you with the latest information concerning avalanche conditions.

Camping

Rauheck lies within a nature reserve where camping is officially forbidden. If you don´t give a damn, camping is a good option and there are many suitable sites for pitching a tent both in the Dietersbach and in the Oy Valleys. Try to stay out of sight of the paths though and clean up the place before you leave.

If you rather want to stay in a hut, the Wildenfeld Hütte (unmaintained) in the upper Oy Valley beneath the western slopes of Grosser Wilder is within striking distance of Rauheck.
Another unmaintained hut higher up in the valley is the Gutenalper Höfatshütte.

Books and Maps

As I wasn´t able to find any English titles about the Allgaeu Alps you have to make do with German ones:

The excellent guidebook "Allgäuer Alpen und Ammergauer Alpen alpin" published by the German Alpine Club (DAV) should be considered as the standart work on the area.

As maps go, the very best is 1:25000 Allgäuer- Lechtaler Alpen West also by the German Alpine Club.

The adjacent sheet 1:25000 Allgäuer- Lechtaler Alpen Ost is not needed for ascending Rauheck but could be used to identify what you see from the summit.

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