Climb time: 5 hours Difficulty: B – C
Type: moderately difficult to difficult

On tackling the Mindelheimer Klettersteig, one of the most beautiful and popular iron ways in the  Northern Alps, phenomenal views and a truly authentic via ferrata experience are guaranteed. The rugged Main Dolomite with its deep fissures, which presents such a richly multi-faceted natural spectacle, combined with the ingenious layout of the trail make for a very special experience on this via ferrata.

The ascent initially follows the Krumbacher Höhenweg ridgeway, turning right after the Fiderescharte. Just below the ridge, the trail ascends to the start of the via ferrata itself. In this rugged, rocky terrain, it takes a steep ascent via the broad summit structure over the north-western flank of the northern Schafalpenkopf. Once you reach the upper section, it begins to climb the north-west face of the northern Schafalpenkopf above the Fiderepasshütte (extra caution is required here as the summit ascent does not have safety features!).

Over the ridge, you continue on in the direction of the Mittlerer Schafalpenkopf via passages secured with safety cables. These bring you to a footbridge, spectacular views of which can be seen from the terrace of the Fiderepasshütte. Crossing this bridge is likely to prove less dramatic than you might think! The via ferrata then brings you via a vertical rockface to the Mittlerer Schafalpenkopf. When crossing the middle summit, you will encounter some exposed ridge sections. When you reach the Südlicher Schafalpenkopf, your route takes you over a steep grass slope and a ladder that descends all the way down to the end of the via ferrata. At the bottom of the ladder, the route proceeds through sundrenched pastures to the Kemptner Köpfle. Once you pass through the Kemptner Scharte, you don’t have long to go until you reach the Mindelheimer Hütte.

Useful info:
This via ferrata is considered challenging due to its length even though it is only classified as moderately difficult to difficult by international standards. For safety, the via ferrata has many protective wire cables along it (spread over approx. 400 m), as well as numerous grips and pegs and several steel ladders. Although there are many short, steep sections, as well as some longer ones, there are only a small number of points on the via ferrata that are very exposed

Length: 8.5 km Elevation gain/loss: 338 m
Climb time: 5 hours

Start by enjoying a leisurely summit ride on the Nebelhornbahn cable car. Just below the station, a small mountain path heads towards the Via Ferrata starting point. The route up to the arête of the "Western Wengenkopf" starts with an about 10 m long ladder. From the summit, which, on a clear,day, offers panoramic views of the Zugspitze and into Switzerland, follow the rocky crest along the protective steel cables, up ladders and along rocky cols and exposed arête passes towards the Eastern Wengenkopf. For beginners who decided to try a taster route lasting about 2 hours, the first interim descent point now leads back to the cable car station via the "Koblat". If you continue to the end of the Via Ferrata below the "Großer Daumen", you will now need to use multiple climbing aids, protective wire cables and iron ladders. This again requires a good fitness level. Athletic mountaineers with good stamina can extend the climbing route over the "Kleiner Daumen" and the "Rotspitze" to "Breitenberg", above Hinterstein.

Climb time: 2 hours
Difficulty: C–D
Description: athletically demanding

The demanding route with exposed traverses and strenuous climbing sections will challenge even experienced climbers and mountaineers.

The cross-border sports via ferrata – on a largely vertical rock wall – offers steep rises, high-up, exposed traverses, a rope bridge, difficult climbing passages and, last but not least, a breathtaking drop. In other words, everything experienced mountaineers or sports climbers could wish for! With a length of 550 metres, it is very manageable but still requires good fitness, strength and technique. The start can be reached quickly and conveniently by using the Fellhornbahn or Kanzelwandbahn cable cars, the mountain and summit stations of which are just a short distance from the via ferrata along well-developed hiking trails. The climb to the via ferrata is signposted from the Kanzelwand mountain station. If you use the Fellhornbahn, you can reach the start of the via ferrata by initially following the signs to the Fiderepasshütte. The sports via ferrata requires far more upper body strength, especially in the arms, than other via ferratas in Oberstdorf. It is extremely exposed in parts and involves long sections of vertical rock walls. There are no emergency descent points.

Useful info:
Athletic mountaineers can even incorporate the cross-border sports via ferrata into their ascent to the Fiderepasshütte. If doing this, we recommend travelling to the via ferrata on one of the nearby cable cars. At the end of the via ferrata a mountain path leads down to the ruins of the Rossgundalpe from the summit of the Warmatsgundkopf (Kanzelwand summit). Here, you can return along the normal ascent past the Kühgundhütte to the Fiderepasshütte.