Hike above Linderhof

Published on 2006-8-15 by Michael Stanton

Linderhof hike

August 15, 2006

I hiked up a road above the Linderhof castle to reach the ridge crest and a hut. Then a muddy hike up the Brannenkopf showed great views of the Große Klammspitz. What a cool technical ridge top I was on! Unfortunately, it looked too fragile to climb ethically. There was grass growing on extremely steep smooth slopes, and the passage of a climber would be visible. There was also a question of adequate anchors. Back down to the hut, and then a jog along trail on the south side of the ridge to reach switchbacks below the Große Klammspitz. Fun scrambling gained the peak and I could really admire the surrounding peaks from this high point (almost 2000 meters). The Ammergau Alps are really beautiful!

Now I traveled the ridge crest down to the west, sometimes using my hands and being very careful on the steep trail. Two more small summits were gained, then I followed the most slippery, muddy trail I've ever seen (well, maybe the Tiger Mountain Cable Line trail during a rainstorm) down to a saddle, signed as part of the "Via Alpina" trans-Alp trail. From here I walked and jogged down to a road, on which I twisted my foot rather painfully. I had to walk slowly out the rest of the way. Car to car time: 4:30. This is a really special place, I liked it a lot! Sorry, no pictures on this better-than-expected day (I thought I'd be in rain).