Marienbergspitze

Overview

Marienbergspitze is a spectacular double peaked mountain located at the western end of the main ridge of Mieming Range. Although it has rough faces and ridges it is a quite unknown mountain. The reason for this is Grünstein. This neighbour mountain is higher, rougher and more popular. But this results in less ascents and according to the summit log on the higher eastern summit, you' re usually alone on Marienbergspitze.

Mystic atmosphere...

There are several routes up to Marienbergspitze. Most of them are climbing routes which recommend climibing gear. There are two routes which offer an easy way to the summit. The difficulties are not more than UIAA I and UIAA II in some places. Mieming Range is famous for its fragil rock and therefor the rock quality of Marienberspitze is not the best. But compared to other mountains in the Mieming Range, the rock -especially on the lower part of the mountain- is quite solid. Well, don' t trust your holds too much, its still Mieming Range...

The first ascent of Marienbergspitze is unknown but propably it was the famous Hermann von Barth (1845-1876), which was a great lover and explorer of Mieming Range. In the newer history of the mountain, Goedeke, known from his book "4000er - Die Normalrouten auf alle Viertausender in den Alpen", opened a new climbing route "Der Weg der weissen Schlange" (trail of the white snake, UIAA IV).

Not depending on which way you have chosen to get up there, you are rewarded with splendid views. To the north Wetterstein the impressive south wall of the Zugspitz massif. Lechtal Alps cover the west and the south is build by the glaciers of Stubai Alps and Öztal Alps. To the east Grünstein blocks your views, but causes a beautiful echo.

Maps and routes overview

Maps: KOMPASS #5 - Wettersteingebirge Zugspitzgebiet Good overview map of the hole Wetterstein/Mieming Range area. For hiking porpuses this map is sufficient (scale 1:50000). The map can be bought at www.amazon.de or at KOMPASS. Alpenvereinskarte 4/1 Wetterstein- und Mieminger Gebirge, West More detailed map (1:25000) of the western part of Wetterstein/Mieming Range area. Routes: Via south slopes Starting in Biberwier, Barberasteig leads up to Marienbergjoch. From there follow the trail to Höllkopf. Turn left (north), when the trail crosses the first scree field and follow up to the gully. About 100m after you' ve entered the gully take the right gully (not the left one!!) and search your way up to the summit. If it gets more difficult than UIAA I-II you' re wrong... Via Schwärzkar Use the trail from Biberwier to Biberwierscharte and from there use the little path into the Schwärzkar.Cross the steep scree field of Marienbergspitze and take the left gully up to eastern Marienbergscharte. From there follow the ridge up to the summit. This trail can be combined with the previous one to a splendid traverse of Marienbergspitze. West ridge The west ridge starts at Marienbergjoch and leads up to the (lower) west summit. This is a climbing route with maximum difficulties of UIAA IV. Trail of the white snake Must be a beautiful route (UIAA IV) up to the west summit. Starting somewhere north of Marienbergjoch it follows the while rock formation coming down from the east summit.

Great view from Schwärzkar. West ridge Marienbergspitze west face.

Getting There

Summit panorama

Summit panorama.

Red Tape

There are no permits, fees or seasonal closures.
Parking at the trailhead in Biberwier is free. There is a parking lot at the chairlift. Additionally parking in Ehrwald at the "Ehrwalder Alm Bahn" is free, too.

When to climb

Marienbergspitze is mostly climbed in summer and autumn. On hot summer days don' t forget a hat and bring plenty of water, because the trail becomes very steep and there is nearly no shadow.
During the winter months, Marienbergspitze may be climbed with skies from Schwärzkar and from there by climbing to the summit, but this requires save avalanche conditions, because there is no vegetation and the slopes a steep. Unfortunately the avalanche report of Tyrol is available in german only.

Mountain conditions

Weather:

• www.wetter.com
  Precise, but sometimes inaccurate weather forecast for Ehrwald (about 5km from Biberwier).
• ZAMG
  Not as detailed as the link above, but quite accurate forecasts.
• OEAV weather forecast
  Weather forecast especially for mountaineering porpuses. Unfortunately this page is available in german only.
• Avalanche report (Tyrol/Austria)
  As noted before, this german internet page offers the current avalanche report for Tyrol.

Webcams:

Webcam of Wannig. Wannig is the closest mountain to the west of Marienbergspitze.

Camping

Ehrwald is a touristic area with tons of hotels and places to stay. For more information visit the multilangual homepage of the area. Garmisch-Partenkirchen isn' t far away as well, which offers even more hotels.

The only place to stay at the mountain is Coburger hut. From Coburger hut the only way to ascent Marienbergspitze is via Schwärzkar.

Camping on the mountain is not forbidden (as far as I know). I' ve seen several cool spots to pitch a tent on the south slopes of Marienbergspitze...

Page history