Overview
Schartschrofen as seen from south route
The summit of Schartschrofen, which means “rock of the col” is indeed a prominent rock located between the cols of Gelbe Scharte to the south and Hallergehrenjoch to the north. In comparison with the much higher and much more prominent summits of Rote Flüh, Gimpel and Köllenspitze, Schartschrofen is a sort of second or third row summit.
I thought so, too, but I changed my mind and climbed Schartschrofen twice in 2012, first time, coming from Große Schlicke to inspect the Friedberger Klettersteig, a Via Ferrata on the east side of Schartschrofen. I abandoned the idea of descending the Via Ferrata as many, many people came crawling up. I turned round after a long summit break and descended the normal route to Hallergehrenjoch and Raintal to Musau.
Only one week later I did the “Tannheimer triple jump”: Gimpel, Rote Flüh and, via Friedensweg and Friedberger Klettersteig, again Schartschrofen, all in all a very nice outing and a lazy afternoon hour on Schartschrofen summit, which is an excellent lookout, despite of its minor height. The views to the west and southwest are beautiful and the aspect of steep Gimpel, Rote Flüh and the north faces of the Tannheimer Berge main summits dominating Raintal are just breathtaking.
Many factors not to be a “second or third row summit”!
Getting There
Gimpel and (right below)Schartschrofen as seen from Große Schlicke
Main trailheads for Schartschrofen are
Routes Overview
Routes Overview
South route:
From Nesselwängle or Haller parking area ascend on the forest road number 413 to Adlerhorst inn and to Gessenwang Alpe. There are some shortcuts possible on the old foot trail.
From Grän or Haldesee choose trail number 412 until it crosses a forest road at 1336 m. Go right on the road until you reach Gessenwang Alpe.
At the Alpe follow trail number 413 up to Hallergehrenjoch. Turn right onto the summit trail.
Füssener Jöchl trail:
A short one: from Füssener Jöchl cablecar mountain station follow trail number 414 to Reintaljoch and to Hallergehrenjoch. Go straight on to the summit.
Musau trails:
From Musau railway station follow the steep trail to Achsel and proceed on the forest road into Raintal valley until you reach Musauer Alm.
Alternatively follow the forest road, starting at Musau / Bärenfalle parking area, which, too, leads into Raintal valley and to Musauer Alm.
 Schartschrofen south |  Schartschrofen as seen from Raintal |  Gimpel, Rote Flüh, Friedberger Steig |
Proceed on the road until you reach Füssener Hütte. Take trail 413 and climb alternatively Hallergehrenjoch to your right or Gelbe Scharte to your left.
At Hallergehrenjoch turn left onto the summit trail.
At Gelbe Scharte gear up, turn right and ascend Schartschrofen on Friedberger Klettersteig.
Friedberger Steig:
Friedberger Klettersteig, in its part between Rote Flüh and Gelbe Scharte also called "Friedensweg", is a route using the connecting ridge between Rote Flüh and Schartschrofen.
Ski routes:
Follow the south route or the Musau route via Hallergehrenjoch, starting at Musau / Bärenfalle.
Easy ski routes for beginners; the ascent to Hallergehrenjoch is steep in its upper parts.
Red Tape & Accommodation
Red TapeThere are no special restrictions in this area as far as I know.
 Chamois at the summit trail |  Schartschrofen, Gelbe Scharte |  Gimpel as seen from Hallergehrenjoch |
Accommodation
You find hotels, campgrounds and other accommodation at
Vils
Musau
Reutte/Tirol
Tannheimer Tal (Grän, Haldensee, Haller, Nesselwängle)
Mountain huts:
Musauer Alm
Vilser Alm
Otto Mayr Hütte
Füssener Hütte
Gimpelhaus
Tannheimer Hütte
External Links
Summit view to the west: Allgäu Alps
Schartschrofen can be summited all year round.
It is an easy hiking summit in late spring, summer and autumn.
Friedberger Klettersteig is a Via Ferrata for beginners (difficulty B/C). Self belaying kit and helmet are recommended.
In winter and spring, ski routes from Musau and Tannheim valley offer an easy ski tour to the summit. You need full ski tour gear and your avalanche gear.
Check the Tirol avalanche bulletin here.
Current Weather:
Maps & Guide Books
Maps View from summit trail |  Schartschrofen and Allgäu Alps |
Guide Books / Internet
Internet, e.g.:
http://www.via-ferrata.de/img-friedberger-klettersteig-352.htm
Images
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