Notkarspitze, Mountain summit in Ammergau Alps, Germany

The Notkarspitze is a 1,888-metre Wasenkogel on the northeastern edge of the Kramergruppe in the Bavarian Ammergau Alps, about four kilometres southwest of Ettal in the Ettaler Forst. Its summit is covered with grass and dwarf pines but also has craggy sections. It is the highest point of a ridge running more than three kilometres east, with the Ziegelspitz (1,719 m) and the wooded Ochsensitz (1,515 m) as marked pre-summits.

The Ammergau Alps, where this summit stands, became an area of organized mountain exploration during the 19th century, when Alpine clubs began marking trails and building huts. Those early efforts shaped the routes that hikers still use today.

The name Notkarspitze follows a long tradition of named peaks in the Ammergau Alps, where each summit carries a local identity. Along the trail, open pastures grazed by cattle in summer give the walk a distinctly rural Bavarian feel.

The climb calls for solid footwear and a reasonable level of fitness, as some sections are steep. Starting early in the day helps ensure a safe descent before conditions change, since mountain weather can shift quickly at this altitude.

The Notkarspitze is the highest point of a ridge running more than 3 kilometres east, with the Ziegelspitz (1,719 m) and the wooded Ochsensitz (1,515 m) as marked fore-summits. The kar that gives the mountain its name, the Notkar, lies between the east ridge and the shorter north ridge; the Großkargraben rises in it and flows north into the Ammer.