Rotwand Reibn - a ski loop

Rotwand Reibn - a ski loop

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 47.65030°N / 11.93470°E
Additional Information Route Type: Skiing
Seasons Season: Spring, Winter
Additional Information Time Required: Most of a day
Additional Information Difficulty: Easy ski hiking loop with several variations
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Rotwand Reibn is one of the classic ski hikes in the Bavarian pre-alps (by the way: I don´t like this expression because those Bavarian mountains are real mountains and not some sort of soft hills ...:-).

Rotwand from summit ascent (01-03-2009)
Rotwand from summit ascent (01-03-2009)
Rotwand summit view to the southwest, below is the supply road (01-03-2009)
Rotwand summit view to the southwest, below is the supply road (01-03-2009)



This ski hike - loop round the summit of Rotwand offers ski slopes of all expositions. It is an easy ski hike, a good one for beginners. Those who are more experienced can do some more challenging variations. You can include or exclude some summits, include or exclude some slopes at your leisure. And you traverse some fine mountain landscape.

Starting point normally is Spitzingsee, the well known winter ski eldorado not far from Munich. The first ascent is to Rotwandhaus (two main routes) and to the summit of Rotwand.

Arriving at Rotwand summit (01-03-2009)
Arriving at Rotwand summit (01-03-2009)
Wildfeldalm, view to the west, ascent to Rotwandhaus (01-03-2009)
Wildfeldalm, view to the west, ascent to Rotwandhaus (01-03-2009)


The following descent to Großtiefentalalm can be done on at least four different routes and can include the summit of Auerspitze. The traverse of Miesingsattel to Taubensteinhaus offers as a variation the summit of Hochmiesing and its great southwest slope - if there is enough snow.
Enjoy a beer at Taubensteinhaus before you ski down to Spitzingsee.

Getting There

Check the Rotwand mountain site on SP to learn how to reach Spitzingsee.

Leave your car at the parking area of the Taubenstein cablecar - valley station (fee required). This is where you finish the loop.

Take the trail along the Spitzingsee lake in southern direction until you reach a restaurant, called “Wurzhütte”. There is a toll road starting in front of that restaurant, to the south into Valepp valley. This is the trailhead.

Rotwand from Großtiefenthal. Stay away from those avalanches (01-03-2009)
Rotwand from Großtiefenthal. Stay away from those avalanches (01-03-2009)

 

 

Red Tape & Mountain Conditions

You have to pay parking fees at Spitzingsee parking areas.

Taubenstein cablecar is now closed in winter. The ex - ski runs are open for ski touring!

The Rotwand region has some restriction areas in winter for the mountain animals (so called “quiet zones”). Those areas are marked on the below mentioned topo map of the Alpenverein so you can travel through or round those areas so that mountain animals can stay undisturbed.

The here described routes and variations are not affected by those restrictions. Nevertheless there are several quiet zones adjacent to the route:


  • south of Rauhkopf above Lochgraben ascent;

  • southwest of Lempersberg below Rotwandhaus ascent;

  • south and north of Auerspitze, covering the whole ridge of Maroldschneid, east of the ascent / descent ski routes;

  • east of Taubenstein and Lempersberg above the Kleintiefental routes.
  • Please respect those restrictions and give the winter wildlife a chance!

     

    North face of Rotwand, seen from Miesingsattel (01-03-2009)
    North face of Rotwand, seen from Miesingsattel (01-03-2009)

     

     


    Rotwand Reibn can be done in winter and spring - as long as there is enough snow. It is a route for ski hikers and snow shoe hikers.
    Full ski hiking gear for one day is required. Don´t forget your avalanche gear.

    Check the weather forecast here.
    Check the Bavarian avalanche bulletin here.


    Ski Route

    Spitzingsee – Rotwandhaus


    Follow the toll road at Wurzhütte (see the Getting There section) for about 100 m. Take the mountain road which leaves the toll road to the left. This mountain road traverses the western and southern slopes of Schwarzenkopf and arrives at a hut of the mountain rescue service.
    About 200 m after this hut another mountain roads diverges from the road in the direction of Rotwandhaus.

    Most times you have to carry your skis up to this mountain road intersection. In winter the snow is flattened on the mountain road to Rotwandhaus by a snow crawler which is used for supply services. Thus Rotwandhaus can be easily reached by winter hikers, too.
    Follow this road through dense woods up to Wildfeldalm. The road traverses then the south slopes of Rotwand above timberline and reaches Rotwandhaus.

    The upper end of Rotwand chute - no go this day (01-03-2009)
    The upper end of Rotwand chute - no go this day (01-03-2009)



    Variation

    Start your ski hike at Taubenstein cable way, valley station. Follow the ski slopes up to Taubenstein. This is the so called Lochgraben. Look out for skiers, do not disturb them. After the first slope you can leave the ski piste to the left and ascent the slopes left of the ski piste up to Taubenstein.

    Taubenstein cablecar is now closed in winter. The ex - ski runs are open for ski touring!

    At the mountain station of the cableway leave the ski slopes and follow the mountain ridge to the south. You pass the rock of Taubenstein on its east side. After that you traverse the upper west slopes of Lempersberg to Wildalmsattel, a col high up Rotwand. Afterwards the route traverses the south slopes of Rotwand above the supply road to Rotwandhaus.

    This variation is longer than the normal route to Rotwandhaus and there is more avalanche danger, so check the avalanche bulletin carefully.
     

    Summit slope of Rotwand (01-03-2009)
    Summit slope of Rotwand (01-03-2009)
    Rotwand summit arete (01-03-2009)
    Rotwand summit arete (01-03-2009)

    Rotwand

    From Rotwandhaus follow the ski tracks up the south slope to Rotwand summit. This summit is one of the best vista points of the Bavarian pre-alps. The views are just breathtaking on clear days, don´t miss that !
    Then ski down the summit slope back to Rotwandhaus, this mostly is pure fun.
    Rotwandhaus is open the whole year round. Take a break, they have good stuff to eat and on the south side a sun terrace!

    Ruchenköpfe and the slopes leading to Großtiefentalalm (01-03-2009)
    Ruchenköpfe and the slopes leading to Großtiefentalalm (01-03-2009)
    Powder snow fun at Großtiefenthal (01-03-2009)
    Powder snow fun at Großtiefenthal (01-03-2009)

    Rotwandhaus – Großtiefentalalm

    Directly east of Rotwandhaus there is a steep snow chute leading down to a col named Kümpflscharte. This chute can be tricky when there is a snow cornice at the beginning or bad snow.

    At Kümpflscharte there are three possibilities:

    1. Immediately turn north and ascend another col directly east of Rotwand. On the northern side are several good slopes to ski down into Großtiefental.

    2. Ascend the slope with light wood east of Kümpflscharte. This one is leading up to the summit ridge of Auerspitze, a neighbouring summit to Rotwand. You reach a flat part of the summit ridge and you are directly in front of the impressing rocks of Ruchenköpfe. Ski down the slopes west of Ruchenköpfe to Großtiefentalalm. This slope mostly has good powder snow.

    3.From the level part of the summit ridge follow the ridge to Auerspitze summit. From Auerspitze you can ski down west of Ruchenköpfe, thus gaining the downhill slope of possibility 2, or east of Ruchenköpfe (another good slope) down to Soinsee, a mountain lake, in winter and spring buried below snow and ice. At Soinsee follow the valley to the west up to Großtiefentalalm.
     

    Rotwand from above Kümpflscharte (01-03-2009)
    Rotwand from above Kümpflscharte (01-03-2009)
    Rotwand and Miesingsattel, seen from Taubensteinhaus (01-03-2009)
    Rotwand and Miesingsattel, seen from Taubensteinhaus (01-03-2009)

    Rotwand – Großtiefentalalm direct chute

    If there is enough snow and secure avalanche conditions and if you are a good skier you can ski down the Rotwand chute, southeast of the summit, leading direcly into Großtiefental. The chute starts at a flat part of the southeast ridge near the summit. Normally there are huge snow cornices at the upper end of the chute.

    The famous Rotwand chute
    The famous Rotwand chute

    Großtiefentalalm – Taubenstein – Spitzingsee

    From Großtiefental the ski tracks are heading for Miesingsattel, the next ascent. Use the northern parts of this east slope to avoid the north slopes of Rotwand and their avalanches.

    At Miesingsattel there again are some possibilities to go on.

    1. Simply start your descent to Kleintiefentalalm on the west side of Miesingsattel.

    2. Turn north at Miesingsattel and ascend Hochmiesing, the northern neighbour of Rotwand, a huge plateau-like summit. The ascent and the summit plateau is heavily overgrown with dwarf pines (Latschen). They should be UNDER the snow otherwise Hochmiesing is no fun with skies.

    Arriving at Hochmiesing summit
    Arriving at Hochmiesing summit

    Use the west slopes of Hochmiesing for downhill. From the summit cross gain a sort of shoulder on the west side of the plateau. Turn left at this shoulder, there is a clearing in the dense dwarf pines thus giving access to the steep west slopes of Hochmiesing. You can go straight down into the valley or turn more left and pass near Kleintiefentalalm. It depends on snow quality which part is better.

    The last and rather short ascent of this loop leads to Taubensteinhaus, another mountain club hut near the Taubenstein cable way. Take another break at this nice hut for something to drink and to eat. You will have an excellent view to Hochmiesing and Rotwand summit from the terrasse of this hut.
    From Taubensteinhaus the cableway is quickly reached and the ski slope down to Spitzingsee waits for your last ski descent of this great loop.

    Accomodation

    Hinteres Sonnwendjoch, Rotwandhaus and the summit south slopes as seen from Rotwand summit
    Hinteres Sonnwendjoch, Rotwandhaus and the summit south slopes as seen from Rotwand summit

    At

    Schliersee
    Bayrischzell
    Spitzingsee

    you will find all sorts of accomodation.

    The mountain huts of

    Rotwandhaus
    Taubensteinhaus

    are open the whole year and offer accomodation, too.

    Ascent Großtiefenthal to Rotwandhaus, Ruchenköpfe in the background
    Ascent Großtiefenthal to Rotwandhaus, Ruchenköpfe in the background
    The huge Rotwandhaus
    The huge Rotwandhaus

    Maps & Guides

    Topo Maps

    Alpenvereinskarte 1 : 25.000, Blatt BV 15,
    Mangfallgebirge Mitte, Spitzingsee, Rotwand
    Alpenverein, 2009.

    Topographische Karte 1 : 50.000 von Bayern
    Mangfallgebirge
    Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt München

    A view of Schinder from the ascent to Rotwandhaus
    A view of Schinder from the ascent to Rotwandhaus

    Guide Book

    Robert Demmel, Norbert Schneider
    Bayerische Alpen zwischen Inn und Lech.
    Ski-Führer: Skitouren für Einsteiger und Genießer
    Bergverlag Rother, München, 2007
    (only available in german)

    Markus Stadler
    Skitourenführer Bayerische Alpen
    Panico Alpinverlag, Köngen 2007
    (available only in german)


    Difficulty

    Difficulty: Beginners - Advanced

    Reasons: The described normal loop route is a beginners route in company with a more experienced ski hiker. The Rotwand summit chute is a downhill route for the advanced.

    Grades:

    Beginners:
    easy ski-hikes with moderate altitude difference, easy routes and simple downhill slopes

    Advanced:
    Ski hikes for the more experienced, due to higher altitude differences and/or longer and more demanding routes including steep or exposed parts and steeper downhill slopes

    Difficult:
    Only for experienced ski hikers and mountaineers; high altitude differences (> 1.500 m), long and demanding routes including steep and difficult route parts and/or rock scrambling and/or parts with crampons / ice axe to get on a summit; steep, exposed and / or narrow downhill slopes

    The difficulty rating shall give you a first advice about how demanding the ski route is. It is my personal rating. The reasons for the rating are given in the description. They are effective for “normal conditions” like good weather, Normal snow conditions and a moderate avalanche danger. Due to bad conditions (weather, snow, avalanches) a lower grade can tend to be more difficult.



    Parents 

    Parents

    Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

    RotwandRoutes