Photos

OSTERFELDER SADDLE – NORDWAND ROUTE – LAKE STUIBEN – KREUZECK

The Starting Point:

A challenging day hike requiring mountaineering experience or some gut. Hiking boots necessary. Duration of hike between 4 – 6 hours. Another 2-3 hours from Kreuzeck to Garmisch-Partenkirchen via Parnachklamm. When I reached Parnachklamm (a beautiful gorge) it was already dark and raining for any picture taking. From here I walked back to Garmisch-Partenkichen via the ski stadium. Starting point is the top station of the Alpspitz cable car. This photo is near the starting point. From there a marked trail leads upwards toward the Nordwandsteig, a steep route. You get your initial taste of this route when you come to the first two big boulders, leaning against each other. To get through you climb a few steps up an iron ladder secured into the rock. If you had no problem with this sort ascent you may continue on this beautiful hike without qualm. This trail continues to climb up across rocky Alpine terrain and turns left at the Ferrata trailhead, another route to peak of Alpspitze. After passing through two tunnels, built int the face of this mountain (don't forget to take glimpses through the openings) you continue climbing and hiking along a narrow trail. It is secured with metal ropes to hold onto. Next, you arrive on a wide green saddle which you cross to continue your hike to the top. Turning left you will see a marker leading you across rocks and soon you come to green meadows spreading beneath the impressive Bernadein wall. Now your eyes can bathe in the green waters of a small mountain lake, called Stuibensee, situated in the middle of this pristine world. To continue, the trail leads downward, leaving the lake at your right and winds through rocks, dwarf pine and Alpine roses to a crossing pointing your way to Kreuzeck.

To see more photos from this trail please go here.They are arranged in the order as shot. More will be added.