Großer Zunderkopf

Großer Zunderkopf

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 47.53476°N / 11.03268°E
Activities Activities: Hiking
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Additional Information Elevation: 6217 ft / 1895 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfGroßer Zunderkopf


Großer Zunderkopf 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.

Großer Zunterkopf (1895 m) is a rather unknown and seldomly summited mountain in the U-shaped subrange. It is located between Brünstelkopf in the east and Vorderer Felderkopf in the west. Nearly completely overgrown by dwarf pines there is only one trail traversing the summit. Thus Großer Zunterkopf is normally traversed during a more extended hike and not the exclusive target of a days hike.


Getting There

Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfGroßer Zunderkopf as seen from Windstierlkopf


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 - Großer ZunderkopfDacylorhiza maculata
Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfAquilegia vulgaris
Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfCentaurea montana



Route & Trail Overview

Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfGroßer Zunderkopf as seen from Felderkopf


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 - left trail to Windstierlkopf

  • go on: col between Windstierlkopf and Felderkopf - Felderkopf meadows and Felderkopf

  • go on: eastern end of the summit meadow - Vorderer Felderkopf

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


  • 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


  • Summit Route from Pflegersee


  • Pflegersee - forest road - Lahnenwiesgraben - Enning Alm - meadows of Felderkopf. Continue as described in the Graswang trail section.

  • 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.


  • Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfSilene dioica
    Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfAnemone silvestris
    Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfCypripedium calciolus



    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.

    Panorama from Großer Zunderkopf



    External Links & Accomodations

    Ammergau Alps - Großer ZunderkopfThe Kuhalmbach canyon, my favorite ascent to the whole sub range


    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

    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