Plankenstein, Mountain summit in Bavaria, Germany

Plankenstein is a mountain summit in Bavaria situated between Wallberg and Risserkogel, reaching 1768 meters in height. The peak features limestone formations and offers multiple climbing routes with varying levels of difficulty.

The Plankenstein's climbing history is documented in route descriptions rather than in first-ascent records. A detailed description of the Normalweg, the chimney-like Westrinne graded II, was published in 2012 with the note that the tour is "usually done without a rope". The Plankenstein-Nadel holds one of the hardest climbs in the Bavarian Prealps, up to grade X-.

The Plankenstein-Nadel needle holds one of the hardest climbs in the Bavarian Prealps, rated VI-/A1 and VI+ free. The direct east ridge goes at grade IV with a III section, and the normal route up the chimney-like west gully is graded II. A 2012 topo notes the normal route is usually climbed without a rope.

Access is via the toll road from Rottach-Egern on Tegernsee, about 7 km to the car park near the Moni-Alm (Kistenwinterstube/Hufnagelstube). From there a forest track leads past Siebli-Alm and over the Riederecksattel (1500 m) to the summit in roughly 1.5 hours. Alternative approaches run via the Röthensteinalm and Plankensteinalm. The normal route up the chimney-like West Gully is graded II and is usually climbed without a rope, but the polished rock and the harder final section before the top should not be underestimated; beginners should only climb with an experienced partner on a rope.

The Plankenstein-Nadel, a rock needle on the mountain, holds one of the hardest climbs in the Bavarian Prealps, rated up to X-. The direct east ridge goes at grade IV, while the west edge of the needle is VI-/A1, free VI+. The normal route climbs the chimney-like west gully at grade II.