Krottenkopf
2,086 m
Germany
- Elevation
- 2,086 m
- Prominence
- 1,156 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
AdvisoryReported 15 Sep 2026 · until 18 Oct 2026
The DAV lists the Weilheimer Hütte as open until 18 October 2026, after which it is unstaffed until mid-May 2027 (winter room with Alpine Club key only). Closing dates can change at short notice with the weather.
alpenverein.de
Routes
1The normal and probably easiest route up the highest summit of the Bavarian Prealps: from the Wankbahn car park in Partenkirchen (730 m) on forest roads past the Daxkapelle to the Esterbergalm, then cart tracks and a stony path through dwarf pine to the DAV Weilheimer Hütte (1,955 m) and 20 minutes on a gravel path to the grassy summit. 11.6 km and about 1,400 m one way, 4:15 h up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 11.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,385 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,086 m
- Time Up
- 6h 09m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 22m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the large Wankbahn car park in Partenkirchen take the signed forest path north-east of the valley station, cross the road to the climbing forest, follow the lift pylons briefly and turn left towards the Esterbergalm. Pass the Daxkapelle (1852) and climb the steep, partly paved road to a cattle grid, where the Wank path turns off right, and on to the Esterbergalm (1,264 m, about 1:45 h; refreshments, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Continue north-east on a flat cart track across the pasture past the Farchanter Alm, and about 10 minutes later turn left at the junction signed 'Krottenkopf, Weilheimer Hütte'. A cart track climbs steadily through forest for over half an hour towards the flank of the Bischof and curves into the cirque. At about 1,630 m the broad track ends; a narrow path with faint red marks crosses a boulder-strewn meadow and switchbacks through dwarf pine to the saddle between the Oberer Rißkopf and the Krottenkopf and the Weilheimer Hütte (1,955 m, about 4 hours). From the hut follow the grassy ridge south-east and a stony zigzag path with a few rocky steps at the end to the grassy summit dome (about 20 minutes; sure footing needed). Descend the same way (about 3:30 h). As a day trip of nearly 8 hours this is very strenuous; most people are happier staying at the hut. The Wankbahn saves less than you might hope, since from the Wank (1,780 m) you descend 500 m to the Esterbergalm first (about 3–3.5 hours from the Wank to the hut).
Start
Wankbahn Talstation739 m
- Wankbahn gondola to the Wank (1,780 m) as an alternative start, about 3–3.5 hours from the Wank to the Weilheimer Hütte (2026 summer season 3 April–8 November)
- Train (Munich–Garmisch line) to Farchant, then bus 3 or 4 to the Wankbahn stop in Partenkirchen.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wankbahn Talstation → Krottenkopf | 11.7 | 1,385 | 38 | 6h 09m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Wankbahn Talstation739 m
- Feature: Daxkapelle965 m
- Hut: Esterbergalm1,266 m
- Feature: Farchanter Alm1,273 m
Junction to the Weilheimer Hütte about 10 minutes beyond
- Hut: Weilheimer Hütte1,947 m
- Summit: Krottenkopf2,086 m
Key Passages
- Steep road above the Daxkapelle
- Junction beyond the Farchanter Alm
- Boulder meadow and dwarf-pine switchbacks to the hut
- Rocky steps below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
The highest summit of the Bavarian Prealps (2,086 m), a grassy limestone dome in the Ester Mountains north-east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with the DAV Weilheimer Hütte 20 minutes below. A long but technically easy walk of about 1,400 m from Partenkirchen.
The Krottenkopf rises at the heart of the Estergebirge, the westernmost group of the Bavarian Prealps between the Loisach valley at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Farchant, the Isar valley at Krün and Wallgau, and the Walchensee to the north-east. It is the highest point of the Bavarian Prealps, with a prominence of 1,156 m; its neighbours include the Bischof (2,033 m), the Hoher Fricken (1,940 m) and the Hohe Kisten (1,922 m). The summit is Upper Rhaetian limestone on a base of Hauptdolomit, forming a broad grassy dome.
The Weilheimer Hütte (Krottenkopfhütte) of the DAV Weilheim section sits in a saddle at 1,955 m, the highest Alpine Club hut of the Bavarian Prealps, and makes the mountain a classic two-day outing from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The normal route via the Esterbergalm follows broad forest and cart tracks almost to 1,630 m; steeper, narrower routes come up from Oberau (Oberauer Steig), Eschenlohe via the Hohe Kisten, Klais via the Krüner Alm and Wallgau through the Finzbach gorge.
No lift reaches the area directly. The Wankbahn shortens the climb only a little, because the path from the Wank first drops 500 m to the Esterbergalm.
Climbing Notes
Technically easy (T2) but long: about 1,400 m and 4–4.5 hours up from Partenkirchen, 3.5 hours down, so very good fitness is needed for a day trip. It is far more comfortable to spend a night at the Weilheimer Hütte (8 beds, 67 dormitory places, staffed from Pentecost to the third Sunday in October; booking by phone only). The final 20 minutes from the hut are on a gravel path with a few rocky steps that need sure footing. From the hut, the Hoher Fricken (1.5 hours) or the Bischof make good additions. Outside the hut season the mountain is a winter tour only for those with snowshoe or ski-touring and avalanche skills; the hut's winter room (5 places) needs an Alpine Club key.
History
The origin of the name is uncertain: it may come from a family name Krott, from 'Krotten', dialect for the toads said to live below the peak, or from old words for rubble and stony ground.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; hut closed (winter room with AV key); ski or snowshoe tour for experienced parties only
- Feb
- Winter conditions; avalanche terrain
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow on the upper route
- May
- Hut opens around Pentecost (24 May in 2026); old snow above 1,600 m possible
- Jun
- Old snow possible early in the month
- Aug
- Thunderstorms possible in the afternoon
- Oct
- Hut closes on Kirchweih Sunday (18 October in 2026)
- Nov
- Hut closed; possible as a long day if snow-free
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Weilheimer Hütte: reservation required for overnight stays, by phone only (+49 170 2708052); see dav-weilheim.de
- Fees
- Wankbahn car park and gondola: charged
- Getting There
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Munich Airport (MUC); Innsbruck Airport (INN)
- Train: Munich–Garmisch line to Farchant, then bus 3 or 4 to the Wankbahn stop; Oberau station is 5 minutes from the start of the Oberauer Steig
- Car: A95 and B2 to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the Partenkirchen roundabout straight on, then left to the Wankbahn and its large car park on Wankbahnstraße
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
2- 1,264 m
EsterbergalmHutStaffed
Refreshments 25 December to 31 October, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- 1,955 m
Weilheimer HütteHutStaffedBooking required
75 beds · Pentecost to Kirchweih Sunday (2026: 24 May–18 October); winter room with 5 places (AV key)