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List of highest mountains of Germany

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Location of the highest major summits in Germany

This is a list of the highest mountains in Germany. All of these mountains are located in the federal state of Bavaria. They lie within the Alps in the region known as the Eastern Alps and are part of the Northern Limestone Alps. The majority belong to the mountain ranges of the Wetterstein, Berchtesgaden Alps and Allgäu Alps.

Because the definition of a mountain is not universally agreed, a distinction is made between main summits and other peaks. Subsidiary summits or subpeaks are not counted. In the Alps a summit is classed as independent, according to the UIAA definition, if it has a prominence of 30 metres (98 ft) or more. In order for a peak to qualify as an independent mountain, however, it must have a prominence of at least 300 metres (980 ft).[1] Based on this definition only the main summits of entire mountain massifs are counted. All elevations with a prominence below 30 metres (98 ft) are considered as subpeaks.[2]

By these definitions, the highest mountains in Germany are the Zugspitze (2,962 m or 9,718 ft), Hochwanner (2,746 m or 9,009 ft) and Watzmann (Middle Peak, 2,713 m or 8,901 ft). If all independent summits are counted, the Zugspitze is followed by the Schneefernerkopf (2,875 m or 9,432 ft) and the Middle Wetterspitze (2,747 m or 9,012 ft) in places two and three. Both are however, part of the Zugspitze massif and lie relatively close to the summit of the Zugspitze itself.

The highest mountain which lies entirely on German soil is the Watzmann with a height of 2,713 metres (8,901 ft), followed by the Hochkalter (2,607 m or 8,553 ft), the Großer Daumen (2,280 m or 7,480 ft) and the Höfats (2,259 m or 7,411 ft). Likewise fully on German territory, but considerably less independent, are the Middle Höllentalspitze (2,742 m) and the Hochblassen (2,703 m).

A majority of the summits were verifiably climbed in the 19th century; the Watzmann and Hoher Göll for example as early as 1800. The Zugspitze was officially climbed for the first time in 1820. However, there are many peaks of which it is suspected had been climbed in earlier times by unknown climbers.

Because the borders of Germany have often changed during the course of the centuries, there were different "highest mountains" in the past. For example, during the time of the Holy Roman Empire up to 1806, the Ortler in present-day South Tyrol, at 3,905 m (12,812 ft), was the highest German mountain. During the colonial period to 1918 Mount Kilimanjaro in the colony of German East Africa, at 5,895 m (19,341 ft), was officially the highest mountain of the German Reich. During the Nazi era from 1938 to 1945 this title went to the Großglockner which, at 3,797 m (12,457 ft), is today the highest mountain in Austria.

Key[edit]

  • Ranking: The ranking of the peak within Germany in terms of height.
  • Photograph: Photograph of the mountain.
  • Peak: Name of the peak.
  • Height: Height of the mountain in metres.
  • Mountain range: Mountain range in which the mountain lies.
  • Massif: (table 1) Gives the name of the massif to which the mountain belongs. If the massif is named after a linked main peak, the link is omitted here.
  • Location: (table 2) DE = mountain lies entirely on German territory; DE/AT = mountain lies in the area of the border between Germany and Austria, but the peak at least is on German state territory.
  • Isolation: The isolation describes the radius of the area which the mountain dominates. Given in kilometres including the reference point.
  • Prominence: The prominence is the height difference between height of the summit and the highest point to which one must descend in order to climb a higher peak. Given in metres including the reference point.
  • First climb: Name of the first climber and date. Empty field indicates that the first climber or the date is not known.

There may be differences in data from other sources. The tables use the tables of the German height reference system, based on height above Normalnull (~sea level) in Amsterdam, and data from the Bavarian Survey Office (Bayerischen Vermessungsverwaltung).[3]

The highest summits[edit]

Table 1 below shows the 30 highest independent summits in Germany. A summit or peak requires a prominence of over 30 metres (98 ft) in order to count as independent.

By clicking on the symbols at the head of the table the individual columns may be sorted.

Ranking
 Photograph Peak Height
m (ft)
 Mountain range Massif Isolation
km (mi) 		Prominence
m (ft) 		First climb
1 Zugspitze (2,962 m or 9,718 ft) seen from the Alpspitze Zugspitze 2,962 (9,718) Wetterstein Zugspitze 24.6 (15.3)
Acherkogel 		1,746 (5,728)
West of the Fernpass 		27.08.1820
Josef Naus, Johann Georg Tauschl, Acolyte Maier1
2 Zugspitze Massif including Schneefernerkopf (centre left, 2,874 m or 9,429 ft) Schneefernerkopf 2,874 (9,429) Wetterstein Zugspitze 1.7 (1.1)
Zugspitze 		175 (574)
Schneeferner wind-gap 		1871
Hermann von Barth
3 Zugspitze Massif including Schneefernerkopf (centre right, 2,750 m or 9,020 ft) Middle Wetterspitze 2,750 (9,020) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.6 (0.37)
Schneefernerkopf 		67 (220)
Wind-gap to the Schneefernerkopf
4 Southern side of the Hochwanner (2,744 m or 9,003 ft) Hochwanner 2,744 (9,003) Wetterstein Hochwanner 5.5 (3.4)
Zugspitze 		701 (2,300)
Feldernjöchl 		1870
Hermann von Barth
5 Middle Höllentalspitze (centre, 2,743 m or 8,999 ft) Middle Höllentalspitze 2,743 (8,999) Wetterstein Zugspitze 1.6 (0.99)
Zugspitze 		116 (381)
Jubiläum arête wind-gap to the Zugspitze
1871
Hermann von Barth
6 Inner Höllentalspitze (left front, 2,741 m or 8,993 ft) Inner Höllentalspitze 2,741 (8,993) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.6 (0.37)
Middle Höllentalspitze 		90 (300)
Wind-gap to the Middle Höllentalspitze
09.09.1871
Hermann von Barth
7 Outer Höllentalspitze (centre, 2,720 m or 8,920 ft) Outer Höllentalspitze 2,720 (8,920) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.6 (0.37)
Middle Höllentalspitze 		35 (115)3
Wind-gap to the Middle Höllentalspitze
1871
Hermann von Barth
8 Watzmann Middle Peak (centre, 2,713 m or 8,901 ft) Watzmann Middle Peak 2,713 (8,901) Berchtesgaden Alps Watzmann 15.9 (9.9)
Hochseiler 		939 (3,081)
Trischübel Pass 		Aug. 1800
Valentin Stanič
9 Watzmann South Peak (2,712 m or 8,898 ft) Watzmann South Peak 2,712 (8,898) Berchtesgaden Alps Watzmann 0.8 (0.50)
Watzmann Middle Peak 		110 (360)3
Watzmann arête wind-gap 		1832
Peter Carl Thurwieser
10 Hochblassen (front right, 2,703 m or 8,868 ft) Hochblassen 2,703 (8,868) Wetterstein Zugspitze 1.1 (0.68)
Outer Höllentalspitze 		143 (469)
Falsche Grießkar wind-gap
25.08.1871
Hermann von Barth, Peter Klaisl
11 Zugspitze Massif including Wetterwandeck (right, 2,698 m or 8,852 ft) Wetterwandeck 2,698 (8,852) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.5 (0.31)
Southern Wetterspitze 		30 (98)
Wind-gap to the Eastern Wetterspitze
12 Leutascher Dreitorspitze (2,682 m or 8,799 ft) Leutascher Dreitorspitze 2,682 (8,799) Wetterstein Dreitorspitze 5.2 (3.2)
Hochwanner 		346 (1,135)
Western Wang wind-gap
07.08.1871
Hermann von Barth
13 Eastern Plattspitze (Left of the Zugspitze, 2,680 m or 8,790 ft) Eastern Plattspitze 2,680 (8,790) Wetterstein Zugspitze 1.1 (0.68)
Wetterwandeck 		204 (669)
Wetter wind-gap
1871
Hermann von Barth
14 Hinterreintalschrofen 2,669 (8,757) Wetterstein Hochwanner 1.5 (0.93)
Hochwanner 		109 (358)
Teufel arête wind-gap to the Hochwanner
01.09.1871
Hermann von Barth
15 Hochfrottspitze (2,649 m or 8,691 ft) from the Mädelegabel Hochfrottspitze 2,649 (8,691) Allgäu Alps Hohes Licht 2.2 (1.4)
Hohes Licht 		203 (666)
Sock valley wind-gap
 		16.06.1869
Hermann von Barth
16 Southern side of the Mädelegabel (2,645 m or 8,678 ft) Mädelegabel 2,645 (8,678) Allgäu Alps Hohes Licht 0.4 (0.25)
Hochfrottspitze 		81 (266)
Wind-gap to the Hochfrottspitze
 		1852
Oskar Sendtner[4]4
17 Southern side of the Partenkirchner Dreitorspitze (2,633 m or 8,638 ft) Partenkirchner Dreitorspitze 2,633 (8,638) Wetterstein Dreitorspitze 0.5 (0.31)
Leutascher Dreitorspitze 		100 (330)3
Wind-gap to the Leutascher Dreitorspitze
 		20.07.1854
Jakob Grasegger, Karl Kiendl
18 Alpspitze (2,628 m or 8,622 ft) from the Osterfelderkopf Alpspitze 2,628 (8,622) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.8 (0.50)
Hochblassen 		165 (541)
Grießkar wind-gap
 		1825
J. Burger
19 Vollkarspitze 2,618 (8,589) Wetterstein Zugspitze 0.5 (0.31)
Hochblassen 		40 (130)3
Wind-gap to the Höllentalspitzen
 		1897
Ferdinand Henning2
20 Bockkarkopf (2,609 m or 8,560 ft) Bockkarkopf 2,609 (8,560) Allgäu Alps Hohes Licht 0.6 (0.37)
Hochfrottspitze 		106 (348)
Bockkar wind-gap
21 Hochkalter (centre, 2,607 m or 8,553 ft) Hochkalter 2,607 (8,553) Berchtesgaden Alps Hochkalter 4.5 (2.8)
Watzmann 		621 (2,037)
Wimbach wind-gap
22 Northeastern Dreitorspitze (centre, 2,605 m or 8,547 ft) Northeastern Dreitorspitze 2,605 (8,547) Wetterstein Dreitorspitze 0.2 (0.12)
Dreitorspitze 		40 (130)3
Wind-gap to the Dreitorspitze
23 Biberkopf (2,599 m or 8,527 ft) Biberkopf 2,599 (8,527) Allgäu Alps Biberkopf 3.5 (2.2)
Hohes Licht 		337 (1,106)
Große Stein wind-gap
 		18535
24 Trettachspitze (2,595 m or 8,514 ft) Trettachspitze 2,595 (8,514) Allgäu Alps Hohes Licht 0.4 (0.25)
Mädelegabel 		140 (460)3
Wind-gap to the Mädelegabel
 		Aug 1855
Urban, Alois and Mathias Jochum
25 Großer Hundstod (2,593 m or 8,507 ft) Großer Hundstod 2,593 (8,507) Berchtesgaden Alps Großer Hundstod 4.5 (2.8)
Watzmann 		474 (1,555)
Dießbach wind-gap
 		1825
Karl Thurwieser
26 Hochvogel (2,592 m or 8,504 ft) Hochvogel 2,592 (8,504) Allgäu Alps Hochvogel 5.4 (3.4)
Urbeleskarspitze 		572 (1,877)
Hornbachjoch
 		1832
Trobitus
27 Funtenseetauern (2,578 m or 8,458 ft) Funtenseetauern 2,578 (8,458) Berchtesgaden Alps Selbhorn 4 (2.5)
Selbhorn 		220 (720)
Hochbrunnsulzen
 		ca. 1865
Johann Grill, Albert Kaindl
28 Öfnerspitze (right, 2,576 m or 8,451 ft) Öfnerspitze 2,576 (8,451) Allgäu Alps Großer Krottenkopf 0.7 (0.43)
Großer Krottenkopf 		161 (528)3
Wind-gap to the Großen Krottenkopf
 		18545
29 Schüsselkarspitze (2,551 m or 8,369 ft) Schüsselkarspitze 2,551 (8,369) Wetterstein Dreitorspitze 0.3 (0.19)
Leutascher Dreitorspitze 		60 (200)3
Wind-gap to the Leutascher Dreitorspitze
 		1894
A. Moser, O. Schuster
30 Krottenspitze (right, 2,551 m or 8,369 ft) Krottenspitze 2,551 (8,369) Allgäu Alps Großer Krottenkopf 0.3 (0.19)
Öfnerspitze 		78 (256)
Wind-gap to the Öfnerspitze
  • 1 First recorded climb. Historic maps from the 18th century suggest that the Zugspitze had already been climbed before 1770.[5]
  • 2 Year of the first complete crossing of the Jubiläums arête.
  • 3 Exact value unknown as no survey has been carried out. Estimate based on contours from a topographical map.
  • 4 First recorded climb. It is possible that it had been climbed during survey work in 1818 or work by a border commission in 1835
  • 5 As part of a survey

The highest mountains[edit]

Table 2 below shows the 21 highest mountains in Germany. A mountain is considered to be the main summit of a massif if its prominence is more than 300 metres (980 ft).

By clicking the symbols at the head of the table the individual column may be sorted.

Ranking
 Photograph Peak Height
m (ft) 		Mountain range4 Location Isolation
km (mi) 		Prominence
m (ft) 		First climb
 Date
1 Zugspitze (2,962 metres or 9,718 feet) seen from the Alpspitze Zugspitze 2,962 (9,718) Wetterstein DE/AT 24.6 (15.3)
Acherkogel 		1,746 (5,728)
West of the Fernpass 		Josef Naus, Johann Georg Tauschl, Acolyte Maier1 27.08.1820
2 southern side of the Hochwanner (2,744 metres or 9,003 feet) Hochwanner 2,744 (9,003) Wetterstein DE/AT 5.5 (3.4)
Zugspitze 		701 (2,300)
Feldernjöchl 		Hermann von Barth 1870
3 Watzmann Middle Peak (centre, 2,713 metres or 8,901 feet) Watzmann Middle Peak 2,713 (8,901) Berchtesgaden Alps DE 15.9 (9.9)
Hochseiler 		939 (3,081)
Trischübel Pass 		Valentin Stanič Aug 1800
4 Leutascher Dreitorspitze (2,682 metres or 8,799 feet) Leutascher Dreitorspitze 2,682 (8,799) Wetterstein DE/AT 5.2 (3.2)
Hochwanner 		346 (1,135)
Western Wang wind-gap
Hermann von Barth 07.08.1871
5 Hochkalter (centre, 2,607 metres or 8,553 feet) Hochkalter 2,607 (8,553) Berchtesgaden Alps DE 4.5 (2.8)
Watzmann 		621 (2,037)
Wimbach wind-gap
6 Biberkopf (2,599 metres or 8,527 feet) Biberkopf 2,599 (8,527) Allgäu Alps DE/AT 3.5 (2.2)
Hohes Licht 		337 (1,106)
Große Stein wind-gap
 		18532
7 Großer Hundstod (2,593 metres or 8,507 feet) Großer Hundstod 2,593 (8,507) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 4.5 (2.8)
Watzmann 		474 (1,555)
Dießbach wind-gap
 		Karl Thurwieser 1825
8 Hochvogel (2,592 metres or 8,504 feet) Hochvogel 2,592 (8,504) Allgäu Alps DE/AT 5.4 (3.4)
Urbeleskarspitze 		572 (1,877)
Hornbachjoch
 		Trobitus 1832
9 Eastern Karwendelspitze (2,538 metres or 8,327 feet) Östliche Karwendelspitze 2,538 (8,327) Karwendel DE/AT 3.5 (2.2)
Middle Ödkarspitze 		736 (2,415)
Hochalm Saddle
 		Hermann von Barth 04.07.1870
10 The Hocheisspitze from the northwest Hocheisspitze 2,523 (8,278) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 3 (1.9)
Hochkalter 		410 (1,350)
Sittersbach wind-gap
 		Hermann von Barth 06.09.1868
11 Hoher Göll (left rear, 2,522 metres or 8,274 feet) Hoher Göll 2,522 (8,274) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 11.4 (7.1)
Watzmann 		788 (2,585)
Torrener Joch
 		Valentin Stanič 04.09.1800
12 Hochkarspitze (left, 2,482 metres or 8,143 feet) Hochkarspitze 2,482 (8,143) Karwendel DE/AT 42 (26)
Pleisenspitze 		661 (2,169)
Bäralp Saddle
 		Hermann von Barth 1870
13 Großes Teufelshorn (left, 2,361 metres or 7,746 feet) Großes Teufelshorn 2,361 (7,746) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 3.8 (2.4)
Reißhorn 		339 (1,112)
Blühnbachtörl
14 Kahlersberg (2,350 metres or 7,710 feet) Kahlersberg 2,350 (7,710) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 4.8 (3.0)
Großes Teufelshorn 		335 (1,099)3
East of the Hintere Bärengrube
 		F. v. Schilcher, G. Helblehen 1854
15 Stadelhorn (2,286 metres or 7,500 feet) Stadelhorn 2,286 (7,500) Berchtesgaden Alps DE/AT 5.2 (3.2)
Wasserwandkopf 		1,133 (3,717)
Hirschbichl Pass
 		Karl Thurwieser 1825
16 Großer Daumen (2,280 metres or 7,480 feet) Großer Daumen 2,280 (7,480) Allgäu Alps DE 6.4 (4.0)
Kesselspitze 		350 (1,150)
Höfatsblick summit station
17 Höfats (2,257 metres or 7,405 feet) Höfats 2,257 (7,405) Allgäu Alps DE 2.7 (1.7)
Großer Wilder 		477 (1,565)
Älple Saddle
 		Otto Sendtner 1848
18 Soiernspitze (2,257 metres or 7,405 feet) Soiernspitze 2,257 (7,405) Karwendel DE 3.8 (2.4)
Wörner 		833 (2,733)
West of the Vereiner-Alm
19 Hoher Ifen (2,229 metres or 7,313 feet) Hoher Ifen 2,229 (7,313) Allgäu Alps DE/AT 7.7 (4.8)
Elferkopf 		476 (1,562)
Gerach Saddle
20 Große Arnspitze (2,196 metres or 7,205 feet) Große Arnspitze 2,196 (7,205) Wetterstein DE/AT 3.9 (2.4)
Upper Wetterstein peak 		1,003 (3,291)
Northwest of Neuleutasch
21 Große Arnspitze (2,185 metres or 7,169 feet) Kreuzspitze 2,185 (7,169) Ammergau Alps DE 10.6 (6.6)
Daniel 		1,182 (3,878)
Upper Schellbach valley
  • 1 First recorded climb. Historic maps from the 18th century suggest that the Zugspitze had already been climbed before 1770.[5]
  • 2 As part of a survey
  • 3 Exact value not known, because it has not been surveyed. Estimate based on contours from a topographical map.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Or a prominence of 100m according to other authorities.
  2. ^ "The Viertausender of the Alpen – Offizielles UIAA-Verzeichnis" (PDF) (in German). UIAA. March 1994. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  3. ^ Bayerische Vermessungsverwaltung. "Bayernviewer". Bayerische Staatsregierung. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Von Abenteurern and Bergpionieren". allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de. 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  5. ^ a b Andrea Händel (2006). "Historische Zugspitzkarte". alpenverein.de. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2009.

Literature[edit]

  • DAV-Karte: 4/3 Wetterstein und Mieminger Kette, eastern sheet (1:25,000). 2005
  • DAV-Karte: 5/1 Karwendel, western sheet (1:25,000). 2005
  • DAV-Karte: 5/2 Karwendel, middle sheet (1:25,000). 2000
  • DAV-Karte: 10/1 Steinernes Meer (1:25,000). 2006
  • Kompass Wander-, Bike- and Skitourenkarte: Blatt 3 Allgäu Alps, Kleinwalsertal (1:50.000). Kompass-Karten, Innsbruck 2005, ISBN 978-3-85491-005-3
  • Kompass Wander-, Bike and Skitourenkarte: Blatt 03 Oberstdorf, Kleinwalsertal (1:25.000). Kompass-Karten, Innsbruck 2009, ISBN 978-3-85491-231-6
  • Kompass Wander-, Bike and Skitourenkarte: Blatt 25 Zugspitze, Mieminger Kette (1:50.000). Kompass-Karten, Innsbruck 2008, ISBN 978-3-85491-026-8

External links[edit]

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