Kieneckspitze

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 47.54560°N / 11.00324°E
Activities Activities: Hiking
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Additional Information Elevation: 6375 ft / 1943 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Ammergau Alps - Kienjoch, KieneckspitzeKienjoch and Kieneckspitze


Kieneckspitze is a summit within the Notkarspitze – subgroup of Ammergau Alps.

This subrange, located in the eastern part of Ammergau Alps, is, with the exception of Notkarspitze itself – which is a quite popular hike from Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Ettal, a rather lonely and remote region.

The highest point of this subgroup is not Notkarspitze but Kienjoch (1953 m) in the western part of the subrange.

Especially in spring and early summer the region is full of innumerable wildflowers and a paradise for those who love them.

Kieneckspitze is the northernmost summit, north of Kienjoch, in the rugged and rocky western arête of the U-shaped Notkarspitze subgroup. This arête is limited in the west by Elmautal, in the east by Kühalpental and in the north by Graswangtal.

Kieneckspitze is an extremely seldom visited summit. There is only a narrow and somewhat exposed trail from Kienjoch, following mainly the arête with some easy rock scramble and only feeble markings. The ascent from Graswang is not signposted, hard to find, steep and narrow, too. So you normally will enjoy complete loneliness on this summit


Getting There

Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeKieneckspitze as seen from northeast ridge trail


There are two main trailheads in the valleys:

Graswang in the Graswang / Ammer valley


Use highway A 95 from Munich to its end and follow the road B 2 to Oberau. At Oberau take B 23 to Ettal. After Ettal follow road St 2060 direction Graswang / Linderhof until you reach the eastern part of the little village of Graswang.

There is a little chapel on the right. On the left there is a small parking area in front of the bridge over the creek Linder.
This is the trailhead. Leave your car there.
If the parking area is complete cross the village and follow the signposts to "Wanderparkplatz" (hikers parking area) at the opposite end of the villages (parking fee required). Walk back to the trailhead.

Pflegersee / Garmisch-Partenkirchen


Use highway A 95 from Munich to its end and follow the road B 2 / 23 to Garmisch. It is the right hand road branching off after the Farchant road tunnel.
After the eye-catching Grandhotel Sonnenbichl at the entrance of Garmisch turn right (Thomas-Knorr-Straße) and then right again (Pflegerseestraße). Pflegersee should be signposted. Follow Pflegerseestraße up to the parking area at Pflegersee.

Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeDaphne striata and Gentiana acaulis
Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeGlobularia cardifolia
Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzePhyteuma orbiculare




Route & Trail Overview

Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeKienjoch and Kieneckspitze (right)


Summit route from Graswang


For Hikers


  • Graswang trailhead - forester´s lodge “Dickelschwaig” - Kühalpenbachtal - Kuhalm Diensthütte


  • For Mountain Bikers


  • Graswang Trailhead – forest road to Kuhalm Diensthütte. Leave your bike here.


  • Western ascent


  • go on: Kuhalm Diensthütte - right trail (signposts Kienjoch) - col between Geißsprüngkopf and Windstierlkopf - Geißsprüngkopf

  • go on: col between Geißsprüngkopf and Kienjoch - Kienjoch

  • go on: col north of Kienjoch - arete to Kieneckspitze


  • Eastern ascent


  • Kuhalm Diensthütte – forest road and trail with signposts Notkarspitze – western limitation of northern cirque below Brünstelkopf – off trail and unmarked trail to col between Brünstelkopf and Großer Zunderkopf – Großer Zunderkopf

  • go on: west ridge of Großer Zunderkopf - col - Vorderer Felderkopf

  • go on: west ridge of Vorderer Felderkopf - east end of meadows of Felderkopf

  • go on: col between Felderkopf and Windstierlkopf - Windstierlkopf

  • go on: col between Windstierlkopf and Geißsprüngkopf - Geißsprüngkopf

  • go on: col between Geißsprüngkopf and Kienjoch - Kienjoch

  • go on: col north of Kienjoch - arete to Kieneckspitze


  • Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeLower part of Kieneckspitze northeast ridge


    Ascent via northeast ridge trail


  • Graswang - trail to Kieneckspitze via northeast ridge


  • Summit Route from Pflegersee


  • Pflegersee - forest road - Lahnenwiesgraben - Enning Alm - col between Felderkopf and Windstierlkopf - Windstierlkopf - col between Windstierlkopf and Geißsprüngkopf - follow Graswang western ascent to Kieneckspitze.

  • Pflegersee - forest road - Lahnenwiesgraben - Rechberg south slopes - east ridge of Brünstelkopf - Brünstelkopf - col between Brünstelkopf and Großer Zunderkopf. Continue as described in the Graswang trail section, eastern ascent.


  • Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeUpper part of Kieneckspitze northeast ridge






    Red Tape

    The German part of Ammergau Alps is a protected area (Naturschutzgebiet Ammergauer Alpen). I did not find an official web site of this NP. If you know one, let me know about it.

    There are no entrance fees or permissions required.

    It is forbidden

  • to disturb animals

  • to collect plants or parts of them

  • to leave the trails

  • open fire

  • overnight camping



  • Ammergau Alps contain many rare plant species, please respect them. Take nice pictures and let them grow.

    Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeDacylorhiza maculata
    Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeBlack mountain salamander
    Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeWhite little beauty (Pinguicula alpina)




    External Links & Accomodations

    Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeA look from Kieneckspitze summit to the south


    To find accommodations, try the following homepages:

    Ammergauer Alpen
    Ammergauer Alpen
    Gemeinde Ettal


    A good overview and more hiking tips can be found on:
    Ammergauer Alpen

    Check the current weather conditions here


    Maps & Guide Books

    Ammergau Alps - KieneckspitzeKieneckspitze as seen from northeast ridge trail


    Maps



    The most detailed maps are:

  • Alpenvereinskarte Bayerische Alpen, 1 : 25.000, number BY 7, Ammergebirge Ost, Pürschling, Hörnle, München, 2009

  • Topographische Karte 1 : 50.000, UK 50-50
    Werdenfelser Land, Ammergebirge
    Landesamt für Vermessung und Geoinformation, München



  • Useful hiking map:

  • Kompass Wanderkarte 05, 1 : 35.000
    Oberammergau und Ammertal



  • Guide Book



  • Dieter Seibert
    Alpenvereinsführer
    Allgäuer Alpen und Ammergauer Alpen
    Rudolf Rother Verlag, München