Geißsprüngkopf

Overview

Geißsprüngkopf 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.

Geißsprüngkopf is a secondary summit near Kienjoch, which is located northwest of it. Nevertheless it has its proper name in the topographic map of Bavaria. It is a meadow summit with steep, rocky slopes in all directions. Connected to Kienjoch with a short meadow ridge and separated from Windstierlkopf in the southeast by a longer ridge and a 150 m lower col, Geißsprüngkopf must be traversed during the ascent to Kienjoch. Consequently there is only one traverse trail leading over the summit.

Seen from Windstierlkopf it is a quite high and impressive summit, blocking the somewhat higher Kienjoch out of sight. Seen from Kienjoch, the highest point of the Notkarspitze subgroup, Geißsprüngkopf is not very prominent.

Getting There

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.

Cypripedium calciolus

Wildflower meadow near Kuhbach Alm

Rhododendron hirsutum

Route & Trail Overview

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

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

Ascent via Kieneckspitze

Graswang - trail to Kieneckspitze via northeast ridge - col between Kieneckspitze and Kieneck - Kieneck - Geißsprüngkopf

Summit Route from Pflegersee

Pflegersee - forest road - Lahnenwiesgraben - Enning Alm - col between Felderkopf and Windstierlkopf - Windstierlkopf - col between Windstierlkopf and Geißsprüngkopf- Geißsprüngkopf.

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.

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.

Geranium sylvaticum

Silene diocia

Aquilegia vulgaris

External Links & Accomodations

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

Images

View Geißsprüngkopf Image Gallery - 14 Images