Höllentalferner

Höllentalferner is a glacier in the Wetterstein Mountains, located between the Riffelwandspitzen and Zugspitze peaks. The ice field stretches across several hundred meters and is enclosed by steep rock walls.

The glacier formed during past ice ages and has persisted in a deep mountain basin surrounded by rock faces. Its size is sustained mainly by avalanches that continuously deposit fresh snow into the basin.

Many German mountaineers consider crossing the Höllentalferner glacier an essential part of their traditional ascent to the Zugspitze summit.

Crossing this ice field requires crampons, rope, and solid alpine skills due to hidden crevasses and slippery sections. You should check local conditions before starting and ideally go with an experienced mountain guide.

It is the only glacier in Germany with a pronounced glacial tongue, a feature usually found only in larger Alpine glaciers. This makes it an unusual subject for glacier researchers studying these landscapes.

Location: Grainau

Elevation above the sea: 2,400 m

Length: 700 m

Width: 500 m

Website: http://umweltatlas.bayern.de/mapapps/resources/reports/geotope/generateBericht.pdf?additionallayerfieldvalue=180R029

GPS coordinates: 47.42667,10.99750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52