Hindelanger via ferrata
The Hindelanger Klettersteig is a demanding via ferrata in the Allgäu Alps , which begins on the western ridge of the western Wengenkopf ( 2235 m above sea level ) and runs over the Großer Thumb (2280 m) to the Breitenberg (1893 m). The via ferrata was expanded from 1973 to 1978 by the Allgäu-Immenstadt section of the German Alpine Club with the support of Nebelhornbahn-AG. It was renovated in 2003 for the 25th anniversary.
Walking times
- Ascent from Oberstdorf to the Nebelhorn: 3 hours
- From Nebelhorn to Big Thumb: 3½ hours
- Way back over the Koblat: 2½ hours
- Continuation to the Breitenberg: 2½ hours
difficulty
The via ferrata is classified as medium-difficult ( B / C ), some unsecured climbing passages of grade I have to be mastered. The riser but is by its length (in particular with involvement of the high gear ) challenging and only with sufficient slip resistance and vertigo to commit. A via ferrata set with a climbing harness is required to secure yourself. In summer, the time required can be longer due to waiting times at the key points .
route
Optionally, the ascent begins at the Nebelhornbahn valley station in Oberstdorf, so that a 2½ hour walk to the Edmund-Probst-Haus (1927 m), which is next to the Nebelhornbahn mountain station, has to be mastered. From there it is around 30 minutes to the summit of the Nebelhorn (2224 m), which can, however, also be mastered with the last section of the cable car.
The path from the Nebelhorn takes place over walking terrain, interrupted by short, exposed climbing areas. The entrance to the via ferrata is an approximately ten meter high ladder on the west ridge of the western Wengenkopf . From here, it is advisable to put on via ferrata equipment. Over the summit of the western Wengenkopf (2235 m) the trail continues to the eastern Wengenkopf (2207 m). The ridge course is interspersed with ladders, rock gaps and a rather airy ridge that is unsecured to overcome. In between there are two emergency descents, each of which leads southeast of the climb onto the Koblat. There the much easier normal route runs parallel to the via ferrata.
After the lowest point of the ridge, it goes up to an airy tower followed by a narrow ledge. The rest of the way to Big Thumb is easy on a grass-covered slope. The way back to Edmund-Probst-Haus is usually made by descending to Laufbichlsee and from there southwest on the Koblat.
The Hindelang via ferrata can also be continued here. You turn in the direction of Kleiner Thumb (2190 m), descend insured and cross the Heubatspitze (2008 m). This is followed by the again insured Hohen Gänge before the Breitenberg (1893 m) is reached, from where the descent to Hinterstein ends the via ferrata. Allow eight to ten hours for the entire route from Nebelhorn to Hinterstein near Bad Hindelang .
Deadly accidents
On the Hindelang via ferrata, fatal falls occur again and again at an uninsured point on the ridge, even by experienced hikers.
photos
Approach from the Nebelhorn
Entry ladder
Exposed section
Plate passage
literature
- Dieter Seibert: Alpine Club Guide alpine - Allgäu Alps and Ammergau Alps . 17th edition. Bergverlag Rother, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-7633-1126-2 (p. 166 ff)
- Ernst Zettler, Heinz Groth: Alpine Club Guide - Allgäu Alps . 12th, completely revised edition. Bergverlag Rudolf Rother, Munich 1985, ISBN 3-7633-1111-4 (pp. 145–154)
- Dieter Seibert: Roth hiking guide - Allgäu Alps: high-altitude trails and via ferratas . 13th edition. Bergverlag Rother, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-7633-3120-8 (pp. 54–59)
- Eugen E. Hüsler : Via ferrata atlas Alps . Munich, Bruckmann Verlag, 6th edition 2005. ISBN 3-7654-4213-5
