The leisurely hike to Osterfeuerkopf in Eschenlohe is an ideal half-day trip with panoramic views at any time of the year. The magnificent panoramic view of the Loisach Valley with the Zugspitze in the South and the Lowlands with Lake Staffel, Ammer and Starnberg in the North is unforgettable. Due to the moderate route, the Osterfeuerkopf is also suitable for hikers with less fitness, beginners and even families.

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 7 km (total)
ascents: 650 hm
Descents: 650 hm

The Osterfeuerkopf is a 1.368 m high mountain in the Walchensee Mountains in the Bavarian Alpine Foothills - a small mountain range that lies between the Ester Mountains, the Murnauer Moos and the Walchensee. From the most visited highest mountain peaks Heimgarten (1.791 m) and Herzogstand (1.731 m), which are also easily accessible from Walchensee with the Herzogstandbahn, the ridge descends towards Eschenlohe and Ohlstadt. This is where the numerous less frequented smaller peaks that can be reached on the classic 20 km long Crossing tour from Walchensee to Eschenlohe (1.500+ hm in Ascent and Descent). Some mountains here can also be reached in winter by touring skiing, snowshoes or on foot. The Heimgarten was probably the first Alpine Summit that was already skiing in January 1890 What climbed.

12:30 p.m.: Our hike starts at the Osterfeuerkopf car park near Eschenlohe, which is easy to reach from the Loisach Bridge in Eschenlohe via Walchenseestraße. The route is very popular, so it is well signposted and fairly wide along the entire route. Less experienced hikers reach the summit in around 2 hours.

1:00PM: In winter with little snow, the hiking trail, which is completely on the southern slope, dries quickly - you can often only find snow in the summit area. Even today, the sun pleasantly illuminates the grassy slopes. Pine trees give off their fresh scent in the warm air. The slope is pleasantly moderate and in about 30 minutes you will have the first view of the Loisach Valley and the villages of Eschenlohe and Oberau.

1:30 p.m.: As we climb up, the trail leads a bit further towards Walchensee. This is how we get the Loisach Valley out of sight for now and we are now enjoying a wonderful view of the Walchensee Mountains and the Ester Mountains.

1:45 p.m.: Only in the upper area do we reach the snow line, which initially appears with small accumulations of snow between the trees. The hiking trail will soon be heading north. Here, a dense spruce forest grows in the shade. The new direction also changes the perspective: from here, the lowlands become visible, with the Murnauer Moos and the A95 motorway in the foreground.

2:15 p.m.: The trail slowly leaves the forest and it gets noticeably steeper. Here, the slope is covered with a blanket of snow, and mountain pine trees dominate the alpine vegetation.

2:30 p.m.: There is quite a lot going on at the summit, so we have to look for a spot below the cross for our snack. The Gigantic Panorama Stretches over the Walchensee Mountains, the Ester Mountains with the Hohe Kiste in the Foreground, the Wetterstein with the Alpspitze and the Zugspitze and the Ammer Mountains with the Peaks of Laber and Ettaler Manndl, which can be seen to the right of Oberau. After a long break in the warm sun, it's a bit further to the next smaller summit, which is only a few meters above Osterfeuerkopf. If you have the time and desire, you can continue on the tightrope walk towards Heimgarten — or descend to Ohlstadt. From Ohlstadt, you then take the well-known route back to Eschenlohe via the Heldenkreuz, which is also part of the 2nd Stage of the Peak Hiking Trail Is. Of course, you can also descend from Osterfeuerkopf directly to the parking lot on the same route.

Tips & info:

• Route length: 3.4 km from Car Park to Summit, Ascents and Descents: approx. 600 hm (easy to moderately difficult tour)
• How to get there by public transport from Hotel am Badersee: Take the Eibseebus to Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station, then take the Regionalbahn to Eschenlohe. From the train station, you can walk (approx. 30 minutes) via Walchenseestrasse to the starting point of the hike at the Osterfeuerkopf car park.
• The Osterfeuerkopf Car Park is often filled quickly, but other parking spaces are available on Walchenseestrasse just above Eschenlohe. Most parking spaces are chargeable.
• If you wish, you can take the tour with a relaxing hike through the picturesque Asamklamm Or to Heldenkreuz Combine on the Southwestern Flank of the Easter Fire Head.
• There is no place to stop for refreshments on the tour. In Return, the Small Town of Eschenlohe offers some nice places to stop off - especially the Greek Tavern “Athens” with a garden terrace on the banks of the Loisach.
  

‍