The Alps d\' Allgäu

The the Alps d' Allgäu are a solid mass of the septentrional Préalpes Eastern. They rise between the Austria (limit between the Vorarlberg and the Land of the Tyrol) and the Germany (limit between the Bavaria and the Bade-Wurtemberg), in the south of the Allgäu, a Germanic territory which gives them its name.

The Grosser Krottenkopf is the culminating point of the solid mass.

Geography

Situation

The solid mass is surrounded by the the Alps d' Ammergau in the east, the the Alps de Lechtal in south-east, the Massif of Lechquellen in the south of the collar of Hochtannberg and the Massif of Bregenzerwald in south-west.

It is bordered by the Lech in the south and the east and is bathed by the Lac of Constancy in the west.

Topography

The solid masses of Préalpes Eastern septentrional break up into two categories of relief: assembly lines of the Massive of Bregenzerwald to the Massive of the Emperor, while Loferer Steinberge with the Rax it acts of plates. Thus, the Alps d' Allgäu are made up of assembly lines to varied and complex topography.

A principal watershed extends from the south, on the level of the collar of Schrofen in the surroundings of Warth, in the east of the solid mass, the level of the collar of Oberjoch. It draws to some extent the border between the two countries.

Since these principal peaks leave a multitude links.

They are not centered geographically compared to the solid mass. From that rises that the side links are much longer towards the North-West and north that towards the south and is, just like the valleys, which has concrete effects on tourism. On the septentrional slope, in the south of Oberstdorf, the roads are regulated and the most of the time prohibited use of deprived vehicles. Thus, of the top of the Hohes Licht, for example, the road of the valley of the Lech, in the south, is to 3,5 km as the crow flies for 8,5 km with regard to the allowed point more brought closer with the cars since north. In the case of the Hochvogel, these same figures are respectively of 3 km and 11 km. Moreover, the access roads since the south are appreciably higher in term of altitude. In spite of these conditions, the majority access to these principal peaks continues to be done since the German slope.

In the Western part of the solid mass, there does not exist any important continuous link. Fellhorn with the Grosser Widderstein there is however a small link which is connected to the south of the principal peaks. It closes the valley of the Kleine Walsertal in arc of circle. With the Hoher Ifen and its plate of Gottesack made up of rock Calcaire the only exception to the aspect in assembly lines of the solid mass is. To this one is added the Cliff link made up for its part of Molasse.

The link of Tannheim is formed in its central part of limestone resulting from coral Récif. This characteristic as its insulation gives him a specific topographic character compared to the principal link. The peaks between Aggenstein and Hahnenkamm form the local principal part of the link. The mountains in the east and the north of this one are isolated hills.

Partition

The old editions of the guide of alpine associations of the Alps d' Allgäu cut out the solid mass in a principal link ( Allgäuer Hauptkamm ) and in secondary links ( Seitenkämme ) and remaining groups ( übrige Gruppen ).

The principal link was then divided in eight sub-groups: Rappen-Alpen , Hochlicht-Gruppe , Peischelgruppe , Mädelegabel-Gruppe , Krottenspitz-Gruppe , Wilden-Gruppe , Hochvogel-Gruppe and Rauhhorn-Zug .

The secondary links and remaining groups were composed for their part of ten sub-groups: chain Hornbach , Höfatsgruppe , Daumen-Gruppe , Roßzahn-Gruppe , Vilsalpsee- (Leilach-) Gruppe , the mountains between the rivers Breitach and Stillach ( Schafalpen and Warmatsgund ), the mountains of Walsertal on left bank of Breitach, the buttresses in the west of Iller, the buttresses in the east of Iller and the mountains of Tannheimer .

The 16th current edition of the guide undertakes a subdivision in only twelve sub-groups. A direct comparison of these sub-groups between the old model and according to the new model is not possible because the borders were traced partly too recently.

Préalpes d' Allgäu in the west of Iller

The southern border of this sub-group goes from Oberstdorf to Sibratsgfäll while passing by Rohrmoos. The principal top is the Hochgrat (1834 m). These mountains are a eldorado for the hikers. The rock composition is varied. In north, the Molasse is dominant. It forms the Cliff link known for the mountains like Hochgrat, Rindalphorn, Stuiben and Steineberg. In the north of this link, mountains, less and less raised, are also composed of molasse, just like the assembly line in the south around Girenkopf and Siplingerkopf.

The tops rising in the south further are composed of Flysch. It is most septentrional of the two zones of flysch of the Alps d' Allgäu. The mountains are characterized by round and soft forms. Thus, in winter, they are a popular ground for the organized turns. The most known mountain of this zone is Riedberger Horn which is surveyed since the collar of Riedberg. Ofterschwanger Horn, Sigiswanger Horn and Rangiswanger Horn also belong to this zone.

In the south of the collar of Riedberg, the rocks change again. At this place, the Calcaire of the Crétacé becomes répendu, with famous Besler. Its top can be climbed directly by a vertiginous slope or more simply with a turning by the south. It offers, just like many other mountains of this sub-group, a marvellous glance on the principal peaks of the Alps d' Allgäu.

Mountains in the North-West of Walsertal

The valley of small Wals ( Kleine Walsertal ) form the south-eastern border of this sub-group; the northern border goes from Oberstdorf to Sibratsgfäll while passing by Rohrmoos; the collar of Üntschen finishes it in the North-West. The principal top is the Hoher Ifen (2229 m). This mountain is with the plate of Gottesack close major attraction to the sub-group. The rocks of the Cretaceous which form the unit are the second characteristic. Indeed, the other surrounding mountains belong to the southernmost zone of flysch. Moreover Hohe Ifen and the plate separate these two zones and are thus a geological window inside older rocks.

Mountains in the south-east of Walsertal

This sub-group is limited to north by the valley of small Wals. In the east and south-east the valleys of Stillach and Rappenalpen are. The collar of Üntschen connects the mountains to the North-West and those in the south-east of Walsertal. To the collar of Schrofen it is connected to the principal link of the Alps d' Allgäu. The principal top is Widderstein (2533 m). In the sub-group are the famous field of excursion and ski of the Fellhorn and the Kanzelwand, as well as the field of climbing of Mindelheim. Whereas places like Fellhorn or the surroundings of the Mindelheim refuge are very visited, others remain with the variation of the paths beaten like the mountains in the North-East of Fiderescharte. Fellhorn rises in the southernmost zone of flysch of the Alps d' Allgäu. The peak of Widderstein above Schafalpenköpfe until Griesgundkopf is composed of Dolomite. One finds also rocks of the Lias in the sub-group, for example in Elfer.

Principal link

This sub-group extends between the collar from Schrofen and Mädeljoch and embraces the center of the Alps d' Allgäu. The famous Heilbronn way carries out along the peaks. Famous tops like Dreigestirn, the Trettachspitze, the Mädelegabel, Hochfrottspitze or the Hohes Licht (culminating point of the sub-group with 2651 m) rise there. It is also necessary little attended like Himmelschrofenzug or the legendary southernmost group of Peischel. The principal tops are composed of dolomite. This usual cover of the valley of the Lech was attached to the rocks of the Lias of the cover of Allgäu. Among many other places, the cable car of Überschiebung, the neighborhoods of the refuge Kemptner (Trettachrinne) or the refuge of the Lake Rappen (Linkerskopf) are worth the turning. One observes even a double composition of the rocks in Überschiebung. Thus, the northern part of Himmelschrofenzug is composed of dolomite while the southern part is composed of rocks of the Lias of the cover of Allgäu. The dolomites of the principal link pass then again on the cover of Allgäu.

Préalpes d' Allgäu in the east of Iller

This sub-group is in the north of Oberjoch. The valley of Iller forms the Western border, the valley of Ostrach the southernmost border and the valley of Cheap the Eastern border. The principal top is Grünten (1738 m). These mountains offer above all for the hiker a beautiful ground of activity. Moreover, they have the advantage of being deprived of snow longer in the year than the other sub-groups succeeding to him the south. They are made up of four different types of rocks: in north, molasse, more partially of the flysch and dolomite, and to finish limestone of Schratten of the Cretaceous in Grünten, which in fact a geological relative of Hoher Ifen.

Mountains of Tannheim

This sub-group was regarded in first half of the 19th century as solid mass independent of Préalpes Eastern septentrional. The name “the Alps the Cheap ones” was partially used. Only later, it was attached to the Alps d' Allgäu. The principal top is Kellespitze (2247 m). The broad valley of Tannheim clearly separates the sub-group from the remainder of the solid mass. Geologically, there exist also differences: whereas the Alps d' Allgäu are composed of fragile dolomites or Jurassic rocks , the limestone of the Wetterstein, resulting from coral reefs, prevails in the principal part of the mountains of Tannheim, offering a solid rock. Thus the most known tops are Rote Fluh, the Gimpel, Kellespitze and Gehrenspitze, a famous field of climbing. Moreover, in the hikers, the sub-group is popular, since at the beginning of the summer, whereas the principal peaks of the Alps d' Allgäu are still snow-covered, much of paths are accessible here.

Peaks of Falkensteins

They form a very small sub-group, which more is relatively low, with the north-eastern margin of the Alps d' Allgäu, between Pfronten and Füssen. The Cheap ones separates them from the mountains of Tannheim. On opposite bank of Lech are the Alps d' Ammergau. The principal top is Zirmgrat (1293 m). The famous bathed Alat Lake of legends is in the sub-group, as well as the White Big lake, in north. The panorama is partially limited because of timbering. The limestone of Wetterstein dominating generates impressive rock constructions.

Mountains of the Lake Vilsalp

This sub-group is in the North-East of the Alps d' Allgäu, between Oberjoch and Notländsattel. The peripheral valleys are those of Tannheim, Lech, the Black Water of Tyol ( Tiroler Scharzwassertal ) and of Ostrach. The principal top is Leilachspitze (2274 m). The dolomite is the prevalent rock. The Lake Vilsalp, accessible since the valley from Tannheim, is in the middle of the sub-group. In the literature, it is sometimes attached to the mountains of Tannheim. Footpaths in altitude make pass the mountains. Many ignored tops are however accessible, in spite of the absence of located way, without much difficulty for trained hikers.

Group of Daumen

This sub-group is in the east of the valley of Iller. Himmelecksattel connects it to the other sub-groups. Put aside the valley of Iller, the borders are formed by the valleys of Ostrach, Bergündle and OY. The principal top is the Gross Daumen (2280 m). Seilbahnberg Nebelhorn is famous for its field of Hindelanger climbing. The panoramic footpaths make it possible to cross the southern part of the group of Daumen. Geologically, there exists a division in three parts: the peak around Nebelhorn and of the Daumen Gross is composed of dolomite, Sonnenköpfe of flysch, and in the south of Nebelhorn, the rocks of Lias with their stiff grassy sides dominate. The most known mountains of this area are Schneck, Himmelhorn and Laufbacher Eck.

Groups of Höfats and Rauheck

The sub-group includes part of the principal link between the " Märzle" Joch and Hornbachjoch. The peripheral valleys are those of Trettach, Trauf, OY, Hornbach and Jochbach. The principal top is Rauheck (2384 m). More still than in each other sub-group of the Alps d' Allgäu dominate here the stiff grassy mountains of Lias. Most famous, symbol of all the solid mass, is Höfats. It is so stiff that only the experienced hikers can risk themselves to climb it. Two others of these mountains are Rauheck and Kreuzeck, in the principal peaks and Kegelköpfe. The dolomite constitutes only the northern face of Höfats. The footpath of altitude between the Kemptner refuge and the hut Prinz Luitpold crosses the sub-group, but avoids the majority of the tops because of their inaccessibility.

Groups of Hochvogel and Rosszahn

This sub-group also includes part of the principal link between Hornbachjoch and Notländsattel. Himmeleck forms the border with the group of Daumen. The peripheral valleys are those of Jochbach, Hornbach, Lech, Black Water and Bergündle. The sub-group is composed mainly of dolomite. The principal top is the Hochvogel (2592 m). He is regarded as the most harmonious mountain of the Alps d' Allgäu, seen in particular north. Hochvogel with its principal stage, the hut Prinz Luitpold is also by far the most surveyed mountain sub-group. All the other tops neighborhood less high and are climbed. In no one another sub-group contrast is also large between the multitude and absolute insulation: only a few kilometers as the crow flies separate Hochvogel from the tops of the group of Rosszahn which are hardly climbed a handle of time per annum.

Chain of Hornbach

It is the largest secondary link of the Alps d' Allgäu. The sub-group extends from Öfnerspitze to the principal link. To the south, it is limited by the valley of Lech, while in north it is about the valley of Hornbach which gives him its name. In the chain of Hornbach are the culminating point of the Alps d' Allgäu, the Grosser Krottenkopf (2657 m), and moreover some other tops which belong to twenty higher of the solid mass. In spite of its importance, the chain of Hornbach remained is relatively insulated and little surveyed. The tops are composed of dolomite; consequently, there are an alternation of tops and high circuses. Several very high summits of the chain receive the visit of only some people per annum.

Territorial distribution

The Alps d' Allgäu as a geographical and massive unit of the Alps extend on two States and four Länders. The Bavarian part represents a little more half of the total surface area and harmony with the prevalent part of the basin of Iller. The part bade-wurtembourgeoise contains only the north-western extremity of the solid mass until Adelegg. The part tyrolienne corresponds mainly to Lech and its affluents, while the part of the Vorarlberg concentrates around the basin of Bregenzer Ache.

Within the Alps d' Allgäu is a Tripoint, although relatively not very spectacular, between Bavaria, the Tyrol and Vorarlberg. It is a few meters in the west of Gehrner, 1,5 km in the north of Warth in Vorarlberg and 4 km in the west of Biberkopf, the southernmost point of Germany.

The border between Bavaria and Vorarlberg does not follow exactly the principal European watershed between the the North Sea and the Black Sea. Thus, Balderschwang in Germany is already in the west of this line. Contrary, Kleine Walsertal pertaining to Vorarlberg is in the east. The border between Bavaria and the Tyrol mainly follows the principal peaks of the Alps d' Allgäu.

The Bavarian part of the Alps d' Allgäu is into full inside the administrative unit with the Souabe. The Arrondissement of Oberallgäu includes/understands the central area around Iller, the Arrondissement of Ostallgäu the areas of the North-East like the mountains of Tannheim, the Arrondissement of Lindau (Lac of Constancy) the areas of the North-West. On this subject, the city independent of Kempten im Allgäu is also in the Allgäu.

The tyrolienne part is into full inside the District with Reutte, whereas the part of Vorarlberg is into full inside that with Bregenz.

If one considers the Alps d' Allgäu in the broad sense including Adelegg, German Länder of Bade-Wurtemberg has also a small portion of the solid mass. She is inside the District of Tübingen and in particular of the district of Ravensburg.

The Kleine Walsertal , in Vorarlberg, and Jungholz in the Tyrol are accessible by the road only from Germany. The valley has certainly a relatively long border with the remainder of Vorarlberg, but of high assembly lines prevent any road link. In the Years 1960 and 1970, there were plans for a road tunnel between Kleine Walsertal and the valley of Bregenzer Ache. But the population refused the building: on the one hand, the valley would have become a place of transit for the traffic, and on the other hand, that would not have brought it in term to distance to the center closer to Vorarlberg as much as Allgäu.

Principal Summits

In addition, below figure a list (alphabetically) of the tops of unspecified grassy aspect a priori , but consisted of rocks of the Lias and presenting for some of the slopes of almost 70%.

Elements of the landscape

Cours d' water

Basin of Iller

The Iller is formed in the north of Oberstdorf by the junction of three rivers: Breitach, Stillach and Trettach.

Breitach runs out in the valley of small Wals. It is born with the hamlet from Baad from the junction from three brooks: Tura, Derra and Bergunt. Another side affluent is Black Water. In its lower course, Breitach must thread in the hard rocks limestones. It formed during the years the Breitachklamm , of the throats among most known of the Alps. Downstream from those Rohrmooser Starzlach.
is still thrown Black Water forms partially of the remarkable throats with cascades between the refuge of Auen and its outlet in Breitach. It passes to this place under a natural bridge, the remainder of an old conduit in Schrattenkalk. With, an affluent of Black Water is also notable because it is, with length a 200 meters one of the shortest brooks existing. Its source collects subterranean water of the plate of Gottesack.

Stillach is formed by the junction of the brooks Rappenalpen and Bacherloch. It circumvents in an elbow the Freiberg Lake and downstream another elbow in the west of Oberstdorf.

Trettach is formed by the junction of the Sperr brooks and Trettachrinne. The footpath to the Kemptner refuge passes by the Sperrbachtobel . This procession is threatened permanently by the avalanches in winter. The bottom of the valley is covered all the year by the remainders with these avalanches. Trauf is thrown in Trettach with Spielmannsau. It runs out then by the means of some cascades. Another side affluent downstream is Dieters which forms a procession with cascades in its lower course. Then OY follows which is thrown in the higher course of Stuiben. Trettach passes by Oberstdorf and the station of Nebelhornbahn.

Between Oberstdorf and Sonthofen, several small brooks are thrown in Iller. Downstream Ley is which forms a remarkable procession, as well as Hinanger with a new cascade, and Gaisalp which comes from the lakes of Gaisalp in Rubihorn and formed the remarkable procession of Reichen (or procession of Gaisalp).

Ostrach is one of the largest side affluents of Iller. It sprinkles vast areas in the east of the basin of Iller. It runs out with the Giebel hut and passes to Hinterstein, Bad Hindelang and Sonthofen. Bsonderach which sprinkles the Retterschwanger valley throws after Hinterstein in Ostrach. To Bad Hindelang throws Hirsch which formed a remarkable procession With Sonthfen, Starzlach throws itself in Ostrach. It sprinkles the area between Grünten and Tiefenbacher Eck and form the famous throats of Starzlach in its lower course.

Gunzesrieder Ach is thrown, since the west, in Iller with Blaichach. It takes its source in Gunzesrieder Säge by the junction of the brooks of Ostertal and of With. Ostertal forms a remarkable procession little before its mouth. It was formed, just like the procession of Halden where the lower course of Gunzesrieder Ach runs, in the molasse.

Konstanzer Ach also emerges of the west with Immenstadt in Iller. It sprinkles the depression between Oberstaufen and its mouth. Little time before this one, it is joined by Steig, which runs out in the area between the link of the Cliff and Immenstädter Horn and form another procession.

Downstream from Immenstadt, Iller leaves the field of the Alps d' Allgäu in a strict sense. In the broad sense, it runs until Kempten. An affluent of Right Bank (is), Rottach, sprinkles the north of the mountain of Rottach. In its higher course, the stopping of Rottach retains since 1991 water in an artificial big lake. An affluent of Right Bank (western), the brook of Waltenhofener, emerges a few kilometers before Kempten. It takes its source in the lake Niedersonthofner, supplied with Schratten. This brook dug in its course the higher procession of Fall in the molasse.

Basin of Lech

The Lech takes its source in the solid mass close to Lechquellen. It runs through the town of Lech and reached the southern side of the Alps d' Allgäu a few kilometers in the east of Warth. Thereafter, the river borders the southern and south-eastern limit of the solid mass to the border austro-allemande with the foot of Préalpes with Füssen.

To Warth, Krum, which takes its source with the collar of Hochtannberg, is thrown in Lech. Höhen which is thrown to it to Holzgau is another principal affluent. It is formed by the junction of Schochenalp and Rossgumpen and incidental clause deeply the south of the principal link of the Alps d' Allgäu. In its lower course the cascade of Simms is.

Bernhards is thrown in Lech in Elbigenalp. This brook sprinkles throats between the central chain of Hornbach and Bernhardseck in the south.

At the end only of the long chain of Hornbach the largest side affluent, Horn is thrown. It sprinkles the valley of Horn, a long valley between the south of the chain of Hornbach and the principal link of the Alps d' Allgäu with Hochvogel in north. At the beginning of the Years 1960, the bed of the brook was protected two kilometers before its mouth by a stopping with fall (in Béton) 15 height meters. During following years, this one retained hundreds of cubic meters of rocks. From now on, within the framework of the new natural reserve of the Tiroler Lechtal , the stopping was partially destroyed, in two stages, 2003 and 2005. Consequently, more than 100.000 cubic meters of fall moved in direction of Lech, contributing to the increase in several meters of the level of the eau.
An important side valley of the valley of Horn is the valley of Joch. This brook takes its source downstream from Hornbachjoch and is thrown in Horn with Hinterhornbach. It forms in its lower part of the interesting throats. They are not accessible but one can admire them in bottom of Gubelbrücke like since the tourist ways in the valley. This one is favourable with all superlatives: most wild and original of the Alps d' Allgäu. No way suitable for motor vehicles carries out towards the refuges of Joch which are hardly in the middle of the valley. They are accessible, like all the valley, only by one partially painful way. Compared to the other German valleys, this side of the principal link represents another world.

Between Stanzach and Forchach throws Black Water. To avoid confusions with the homonymous brook of the valley of small Walsertal, it is invited also Black Eau tyrolienne ( Tiroler Schwarzwasserbach ). It is between the group of Rosszahn in the south and the mountains of the Lake Vilsalp in north.

Weissen is thrown in Lech with the homonymous place. It comes in the middle of the mountains from Vilsalp from the valley from Birken between Leilachspitze to the south and Litnisschrofen to north.

Lech between Warth and Füssen is recognized, with its affluents, among the wild rivers preserved still considerably of the Alps. It is also called Tagliamento of north (the Tagliamento, in the Eastern Préalpes Southerners, is the wild river best safeguarded of the Alps). Attempts at protection by fastening in Lech were concluded with the end of the year 2004 by the extension from the reserve and the natural reserve to the side valleys. A classification of the area, with the departure considered, in national park could not be carried out. In spite of this protection, the conflicts will continue in the future between the various interests. Because a wild river with all its dynamics and spaces of settlement of the valley seldom find a ground of full and whole agreement.

Little before the foot Préalpes, the most important affluent of Lech coming from the Alps d' Allgäu is thrown in its water: the Cheap ones. It takes its source in the south of the lakes the Cheap ones and sprinkles vast areas since the valley of Tannheim to the throats of Pfronten. After having left the lake, it runs towards north with Tannheim, where the Shepherd Aitch coming from the Lake Halden in the east of the valley throws itself, then towards the west until Schattwald, and again towards north where it passes in throats between the tops of Sorgschrofen and Schönkahler. At this place also the falls of the Cheap ones are, but this cascade is somewhat wasted by the present one of a Powerplant. Little before Pfronten, the Cheap ones takes the direction of the east, where it receives water of Steinacher Ache in the Austrian area of Seebach. This brook passes in a deep valley between Einstein and Aggenstein. After Pfronten, Reichen which formed of the remarkable throats since Aggenstein, is thrown in its turn in the Cheap ones. To finish, not very front Vils throws Küh which forms interesting cascades in its lower course.

Lech must thread little before Füssen by a narrow part where one finds the falls of Lech. Those are disturbed also a little by the hydraulic energy production. Lastly, it is thrown in the Lake Forggen, an artificial big lake.

Basin of Bregenzer Aitch

Bregenzer Ache takes its source in the solid mass of Lechquellen. It reaches the south-western buttresses of the Alps d' Allgäu with Schröcken. It does not skirt the solid mass permanently: between With the and the outlet of Subersach, it runs through the Massif of Bregenzerwald. It appears the problematic character inherent in the division of the Alps in distinct solid masses, before very directed with the needs for the tourists and the mountaineers. The mountainous relief located on Right Bank of Bregenzer Aitch like Winterstaude or Hirschberg do not belong of the blow not to the Alps d' Allgäu. Thus the solid mass makes indirectly here exception to the Bregenzerwald with the principle generally applied that the deep valleys must form their limits.

The first affluent met by Bregenzer Ache coming from the Alps d' Allgäu is Subersach. It takes its source in Hochgerach, the plate near Hoher Ifen. As of Schönenbach and until its outlet, it forms the border between the two solid masses. It is inserted in throats in the shape of Canyon absent from any road and conveys. To Sibratsgfäll throws the Ru which runs out in the valley in the north of Hoher Ifen and the walls of Gottesacker.

The affluent of Right Bank according to is Weissach. It takes its source in the zone of the molasses of the Alps d' Allgäu, in the valley between the Cliff link and the peaks of Prodel, runs at the station of Hochgratbahn and is inserted then in the rock. In Steibis are the Buchenegg cascades who form which charm water falls. Downstream from Oberstaufen, the brook forms the falls of Eibel.
Weissach has an important affluent, Bolgenach. It runs since the east of the collar of Riedberg while passing by Balderschwang before leaving Bavaria for Vorarlberg. He is regarded in this area of Germany as one of the most natural brooks in rocks containing Flysch and of Craie. He is also inserted in his lower course in the shape of canyon before throwing himself in Weissach.

The last considerable affluent throwing itself in Bregenzer Aitch and Rotach. It takes its source in the area between Sulzberg-Höhenrücken in the south and Pfänderrücken in north.

With Wolfurt, Brengenzer Ache emerges in the plain of the the Rhine and further throws a few kilometers in the Lac of Constancy.

Other rivers and brooks

Leiblach runs out in the north of Pfänder. In its lower course, it skirts the border austro-allemande to the lake of Constancy. Ricken is thrown in Leiblach and comes directly from Pfänder by forming the falls of Scheidegg, high of forty meters in the molasse.

Argen is thrown to Langenargen in the lake of Constancy. It is a river of the Alps d' Allgäu within their wide limits. It runs in its lower course through the highone, while being formed upstream by two rivières.
Lower Argen runs out in the west of Adelegg with the black Edge ( Schwarzen Grat ) close to Isny im Allgäu. Higher Argen takes its source in the north of Oberstaufen and is inserted thereafter in the procession of Eis, one the most known of and visited of Allgäu.

Wertach takes its source in Oberjoch and is thrown in Lech close to Augsburg. It runs in Unterjoch and Jungholz and feeds the Lake Grünten then. After having left water of the lake, it is inserted in the shape of canyon and leaves the Alps d' Allgäu. One of its affluents forms the cascade of Nesselwang.

Principal European watershed

The principal European watershed between the the North Sea and the Black Sea passes through the Western part of the Alps d' Allgäu. She separates the basins from Argen and Bregenzer Ache of the basins of Iller and Lech.

Since north, i.e. since the highone, it in the broad sense reaches the Alps d' Allgäu on the slope is of Adeleggs. Then, it passes to the east of Sonneneck between Hauchenberg to the west and the Lake Niedersonthofen to the east. Then, it passes to the north of the lake of Alp on Thaler and Salmaser Höhe to go down again then in the depression between Staufner Berg and Hündlekopf. There, it reaches the solid mass itself.

The watershed carries out further on Hündelkopf and the peaks of Prodel towards the basin close to Mittelberg-Alpe. It continues then further in Stuiben in the link from the Cliff and on the edge further until Hochgrat. From there, it goes down towards the south in Scheidwang-Alpe and along the edge from Girenkopf until Riedberger Horn, then by the collar of Riedberg, Besler and Piesenkopf to the collar between Rohrmoos and Sibratsgfäll.

Lastly, it moves on the plate of Gottesack and Hoher Ifen towards Gerachsattel and on the long edge of the collar of Hochalp until Widderstein. It recescend then with the collar of Hochtannberg, where it enters the solid mass of Lechquellen.

Lakes

The Alps d' Allgäu are bathed at their western end by the Lac of Constancy, more the German big lake and the more important second of Central Europe. Moreover, they have large lakes in the valleys as well as a line of smaller lakes of high mountain.

But the Alps d' Allgäu do not form however part of the solid masses richest in lakes of the Alps. For that, it misses large lakes of valley as well as mosaics of lakes of high mountain, typical of certain areas of the Alps, or more still of the the Pyrenees or Sierra Neveda California nne.

Lakes of valleys

These lakes are accessible for the majority in the car. They often offer a destination of pastime, for example the bathe or the hiring of boat.

The bathed Alat Lake of legends is in Füssen, in a high valley with semi-altitude between Préalpes and the valley of the Cheap ones. The big lake of Alp ( Große Alpsee ) is in Bühl amndt Alpsee with the northern borders of the Alps d' Allgäu in a strict sense. It is the widest lake of the solid mass. Between Bühl and Immenstadt the small Lake Alp ( Kleine Alpsee ) is. The Lake Chrisles is a small water level which is in the valley of Trettach in the north of Spielmannsau. It is not accessible conveys some, just like the Freiberg Lake close to Oberstdorf which is approximately 100 meters with the top of the level of the valley. The Lake Grünten is an artificial lake between Nesselwang and Wertach which is also a destination of pastime.

The Lake Halden is in a good position within the valley of Tannheim between Grän and Nesselwängle. The Lake Niedersonthofen is already apart from the Alps d' Allgäu in a strict sense, halfway between Immenstadt and Kempten. A Lake Maggiore (among all those which are in Germany) is located between Füssen and the Lake Alat. Rottachspeicher (artificial lake) is with the septentrional edge of the Alps d' Allgäu between Kempten and OY. The Lake Vilsalp is in a natural reserve at the bottom of a transverse valley of that of Tannheim. During the high season, the road of Zufahrt is blocked with the motor vehicle traffic: road links are installation since Tannheim. The lake Blanc is between Füssen and Pfronten, in the north of the solid mass.

Lakes of high-mountain

The lakes of high-mountain of the Alps d' Allgäu are partly accessible relatively simply by the means of Téléphérique S. Beaucoup from lakes nevertheless require rises prolonged of foot. Hiking trails carry out in the majority of the lakes. Isolated, and perhaps most splendid, which is those are accessible without any way.

The lakes of high-mountain, alphabetically, are:

• the lake of Ice ( Eissee ) is composed precisely of two small lakes on the northern slope of Rauheck. The hiking trail of the Kemptner refuge to the cabande Prinz Luitpold leads directly to the lake. The name comes from the cover of snow and ice which recovers it until the beginning of the summer, because of the shade caused by the mountainside.
• the Lake Engeratsgund ( Engeratsgungsee ) is on the Eastern slope of the Daumen Gross in a good position in the middle of the Jurassic rock layers of the solid mass. The dolomitic cover starts with the top of the lake. It is in addition in the middle of a network of tourist ways passing by Nebelhorm, then Hinterstein, and by the hut of Giebel and the Daumen Gross. The sight since the lake on Hochvogel, the most beautiful mountain of the Alps d' Allgäu, is époustouflante.
• the lakes superior and inferior of Gaisalp ( Obere und Untere Gaisalpsee ) are in a high circus between Rubihorn and Entschenkopf close to Oberstdorf. The way of Gaisalpe in Nebelhorn leads to the accesses of the two lakes, while the way towards Runihorn skirts only the lower lake (appreciably larger). Between the two wide ones is a glacial circus.
• the Lake Gugger ( Guggersee ) is on the layout of the panoramic path of the refuge of Mindelheim after Birgsau, on Taufersbergalpe. It is high above the valley of Rappenalpen in the south of the slope of the Alps de Schaf. It constitutes in many books and booklets the picturesque first-plan the sights on the mountains of opposite which are the principal link of the Alps d' Allgäu with Trettachspitze, Mädelegabel and Hochfrottspitze. So much so that it does not arise that makes this lake of it is tiny, if it is not on a topographic chart. If this lake is reached, after a painful rise since Birgsau or a long excursion by the path since the refuge of Mindelheim, it is even possible to omit this lake, which is nothing any more but one large puddle pool. On its bank is, of the watery plants proliferate unrelentingly, announcing its nearest disappearance. By moving few meters on opposed bank, then one finds the vision of postcard on the mountains of opposite.
• the Lake Hermanns ( Hermannskarsee ) is in an austere environment within the chain of Hornbach in the natural circus of the same name between the Krottenkopf Gross and Marchspitze. The dolomite leaves little place to the vegetation. The panoramic path of the refuge of Kemptner to the refuge of Hermann von Barth carries out directly in front of the lake. It is covered with ice and snow until summer.

• the Lake Hochalp ( Hochalpsee ) in the south-west of the rock colossus of Widderstein is a relatively small lake. It is on the slope of the Kleine Walsertal compared to the watershed. It is accessible in a few minutes since the tourist way Baad - refuge from Widderstein. The lake is covered with ice at least until the end of June.

• the Lake Hörnle ( Hörnlesee ) is in a glacial natural circus directly in the east of the top of Wertacher Hörnle in Unterjoch. This lake recalls of them others of certain medium mountainss as in Black Forest or in the Forêt of Bavaria. Tourist ways carry out to the front and above the lake.
• the tiny lake of Koblat ( Koblatsee ) is in of Koblat (which gives him its name), a dolomitic rock surface on the southernmost slopes of Wengenköpfe and the Daumen Gross. It is almost astonishing that a lake exists in these surroundings. The tourist way of Nebelhorn to the Daumen Gross carries out at the edge of this lake.
• the lake Kreuzkarle ( Kreuzkarlesee ), or on certain charts lake Kreuzkar ( Kreuzkarsee ), is in the chain of Hornbach in the circus of the Cross ( Kreuzkar ) on the northern slope of Kreuzkarspitze. It is not particularly large, but it is affublé in the Alps d' Allgäu of all superlatives. It is really the lake more isolated from the mountains, the single one which is not accessible directly by means of a way. Consequently, it is perhaps thus the most splendid lake of the solid mass: its position under the septentrional walls of the chain of Hornbach and the sight on the valley of Hornbach with Hochvogel opposite are single. It is not so difficult to arrive at this lake, at most a little painful. Since the way of Hinterhornbach to the breach of Schönecker, it is possible to reach the breach of the circus of the Cross without way nor traces of passages. Of this place, the lake is visible; a descent also deprived of way carries out in ten minutes of the breach towards banks.
• the lake of Lache is indicated directly to the Lansberg refuge. It is immediately in the north of Lachenspitze and is largest of three lakes: that of Vilsalp, Traualp and Lachen. Tourist ways carry out near each one.
• the Lake Laufbichl ( Laufbichlsee ) is thus that the close Koblat Lake in Koblat, on the southern slope of the Daumen Gross. It is a little larger than its neighbor, but smaller than the Lake Engeratsgund which is in an adjacent circus in the North-East. On the level of the lake, the tourist way of Nebelhorn is divided towards the top of the Daumen Gross on the one hand and towards the Giebelhaus hut after Hinterstein on the other hand.

• the Lakes Rappen ( Rappenseen ) are composed of large and a small stretch of water very close to the refuge to the Lake Rappen, at the end of the Heilbronn road. Their position in the middle of the Jurassic layers of rocks, overhung by the dolomite tops, is splendid. The sunset with the refuge, behind the lakes, vis-a-vis Widderstein, famous and is perpetuated on the many ones of photographs.

• the Lake Schlappolt ( Schlappoltsee ) is the single lake of high-mountain in the formations of flysch. It is on the Eastern slope of Fellhorn, near to the intermediate station of the cable car of Fellhorn close to Oberstdorf, in a field of excursion. The neighborhoods of the lake are protected by natural reserve from the same name.
• the Lake Schreck ( Schrecksee ) is the single lake of altitude of the Alps d' Allgäu which has an island. It is within splendid high mountains, in the higher valley of Trauf, a side valley of Ostrach with Hinterstein. The rises towards the lake are relatively long, which guarantees a reasonable frequentation. The way of jubilée of the hut Prinz Luitpold to the Landsberg refuge or Willersalpe carries out close to the lake.
• the Lake Seealp ( Seealpsee ) is in a high valley upstream of that of OY close to Oberstdorf, in the south of Nebelhorn. The sight since the lake on Höfats is vertiginous. The descent of Nebelhorn towards the valley of OY, the evil named way of landing, carries out above the accesses of the lake. The approach of the lake obliges to set out again behind to take again the way. The hikers who venture in the descent since the lake in the valley without way, by the famous Gleitwände , are legendary. Often, because of their thorny position, they are found to more be able to go neither ahead nor behind and must be released by the Mountain rescue.
• the Lake Traualp ( Traualpsee ) is in a circus on the footpath connecting the Lake Vilsalp to the refuge of Landsberg. It has an intermediate size compared to the Lakes Vilsalp and Lache. It is arranged a little, its flow being used for the production Hydroélectrique.

Glaciers and firns

In the Alps, the Glacier S are usually formed between 2800 and 3000 meters of altitude. More the high mountain of the Alps d' Allgäu reaches 2657 Mr. Pourtant a small glacier was maintained until today, Schwarzmilzfern. It is in the principal link on the territory of the Tyrol, in the south of Mädelegabel and the south-east of Hochfrottspitze. Remote references to the glaciers find in linguistic space Bavarii (Bavaria and the Tyrol).

There are two reasons of the persistence of this glacier. In the zone which is covered by the glacier finds a great portion with a weak slope. Moreover, the top of Hochfrottspitze is found directly in the south-east of this portion as from midday, without direct irradiation of the sun. Moreover, one factor even more crucial is the importance of precipitations in the Alps d' Allgäu which generate in winter and in spring the deposit of important quantities of snow in high-altitude.

The Heilbronn way passes just by the glacier. However, there is no Crevasse, so that any typical equipment is not necessary in this court spaces. The Climate warming involves the regression of Schwarzmilzfern however. If the current trend persists, the glacier will have completely disappeared in 25 years at the latest.

Beside this small glacier, there are some eternal snowfields of various sizes. Moreover, Schneeloch, on the northern slope of the principal link, belongs to Bacherloch higher (Waltenberg cants) like than Trettachrinne between Mädelegabel and Kratzer. The most known Névé is in Kalten Winkel. The normal way of Hochvogel since the hut Prinz Luitpold passes by this one. When Hermann von Barth, one of the first mountaineers without guide, assembles in the Alps d' Allgäu during the summer 1869 by Kalten Winkel towards Hochvogel, it is astonished by the stories of horror which are told about this firn. In its work on Préalpes septentrional, he affirms later that the fact of crossing a snowfield is not dangerous, because even in the event of fall, one arrives early or late to stop on softer slopes downwards. However, the fact of crossing firns like that of Kalten Winkel requires an absolute prudence and exercise. The conditions change during the same season. At the beginning of the summer, the snowfields are still relatively large, but rather soft snow. At the end of the summer and autumn, the snowfields disappeared or strongly regressed, even if remaining snow can freeze rather hard.

Today, it is easy to get informed about the cover of snow present by the means of many the Webcam S which is installed above all in the stations at the top of the cable cars. The heights exceeding 2000 meters of altitude and their paths are in general not deprived of snow before at the beginning of July. August and September, and more rarely October are the months when the snow-covered cover is most reduced. A fresh snowfall occasional in September melts in all probability. A stronger fall in October can more frequently remain.

Climate warming involves a progressive and constant cast iron glacier and firns. It causes since the last years in the Alps d' Allgäu a disappearance of snow in earlier altitude in the year.

Caves

The wide areas of the Alps d' Allgäu are low in cavities. In a rock layer, however, the limestone of Schratten, made of chalk, one finds several cavities remarkable. The single cave worth visiting of the solid mass and Allgäu, the cave of the stubborn Man ( Sturmannshöle ) with Obermaiselstein, is in this rock formation.

Other cavities, however closed with the public, are on the plate of Gottesack. Hölloch is the longest pit of Germany since a classification since 2005. It is in the higher valley of Mahd, a side valley of the valley of small Wals. Zustieg results in a way since Kleine Walsertal by which the border is exceeded. To minimize the dangers of the ski touring, the skiers coming from the top are informed by a streamer against the opening of the cavity. Hölloch starts above all with a 76 depth meters well. To go until the bottom of the cavity, one approximately one week duration is necessary.

The cave of the Hole of the snail ( Schneckenlochhöhle ) is also famous. It is in the Western part of the plate of Gottesack, in Vorarlberg from which it constitutes the longest cavity. The rise results from Alpsiedlung Schönenbach in a way in direction of Kälbelegürtle-Alpe, then the last meters are to be traversed without way. On the plate are in addition many of other cavities accessible only to the experts.

Marshes

The Alps d' Allgäu offer the best conditions for the appearance of the Marécage S in certain sectors: strong precipitations, soft slopes with a weak flow at an altitude lower than 1800 m with the top of the sea, as well as a suitable rock base. Marshes are present mainly in the north-western part of the solid mass.

But the marshes, in the Alps d' Allgäu, all at least until now, as extremely do not play a tourist part as in certain medium mountainss in Germany, for example. They attract just some curious in the shade about the high mountains, for which all the attention is reserved. In the specialized milieux, their importance however is recognized. It was put into obvious during the last years by the creation of certain protection zones within the framework of the European network Natura 2000. Following that, a recognition and a progressive awakening of the public are possible; but a too important frequentation of the marshes is not either desirable.

In the marsh of Engenkopf ( Engenkopfmoor ), the difference between the importance of the marsh and its notoriety is particularly obvious. It is distant from only 5 km as the crow flies holiday resort of Oberstdorf, and yet it is almost unknown population. Moreover, argument taken again by the pro and anti-protection, it belongs to one of the greatest complexes of all alpine space with types of wide very rare marshes as far as Bavaria.

There exist other marshes in the zone around Piesenkopf in the North-West of Rohrmoos. Ziemelmoos, a way which carries out of Toniskopfalpe towards Alten Piesenalpe, passes by one of these marshes. But the concept of way is to be taken here with precaution: only posts indicate the way, and the risks of sinking in wet weather or mislaying due to the fog are not absent. However, of the voices as much objective than subjective affirm than the crossing of this marsh is a splendid experiment.

Another important marsh is with horse on the border between Germany and Austria, in the north of Hochhäderich, in the Cliff link. It is protected by the two countries.

A typical marsh in the shape of basin is in the Kleine Walsertal , in the south of Black Water and the bridge which crosses it downstream from the hut of the valley of Mahd ( Mahdtalhaus ). Between Oberjoch and Unterjoch, there are also remainders of a marsh, just like in Vorarlberg on the top-plates around Bolgenach and of Subersach.

Geology

The solid mass consists of very varied rocks, which brings a large variety in the landscapes.

The principal link is entirely composed of Dolomite, except for the area of Rauheck. The major part of the secondary links located at the North-West are mainly made up of Flysch. One also finds very locally Calcaire S and Molasse S.

Types of rocks

The Alps d' Allgäu are made up of Sedimentary rocks which partly were deposited with the Mesozoic and with the Cénozoïque. By the pressure of the African plate on the Eurasian plate, the rock layers was raised, folded, transported horizontally and partly hidden. In this manner, rock the older rests on younger rocks in the solid mass. The geology of the Alps d' Allgäu as well as that of the close solid masses is relatively complex, contrary to that of the solid masses where the rocks were not hidden, for example in the south of the principal link or in the the Pyrenees which were born at the same moment as the Alps, but where the rocks were only folded.

With Mesozoic and thereafter, the following rocks were deposited:

• with the Sorted, the dolomite and the layers of Kössen
• with the Jurassic , of the marl of the Lias and limestones (resulting from shells of Aptychus, or microcrystalline, of the family of the Silex and the Jaspe)
• with the Crétacé, of the marl, the sandstone and limestone, as well as flysch
• with the Tertiaire, molasse

Extended from the rocks

The dolomite composes most of the tops of the principal link, such as for example Biberkopf, Hohes Licht, Mädelegabel, Grosser Krottenkopf, Hochvogel and Urbeleskarspitze

The marl of Lias forms some their neighbors, namely Likerskopf, Kegelköpfe, Rauheck or Fürschiesser.

The famous grassy mountains of Allgäu like Schneck and Höfats are made up of microcrystalline limestones and aptychus.

Deposits of the Cretaceous form Hohe Ifen, the cliffs of Gottesack, Besler, but also part of Grünten.

The flysch belongs to the mountains like Fellhorn, the chain of Hörn and Sonnenköpfe.

The molasse composes for example Hochgrat or Stuiben.

Case of the géotope in the Bavarian part

The Bavarian geological regional Station ( Bayerisches Geologisches Landesamt ), which is since August 1st, 2005 a division of the Bavarian regional Station for the environment ( Bayerischen Landesamts für Umwelt ), draws up a list of géotopes of Bavaria of more than 2000 sites. A part is in the Alps d' Allgäu and famous in an exemplary way varied and complex geology of the solid mass. Below figure the list of these sites:

• the géotope outcrop of OY , near its mouth, in Trettach, at the south of Oberstdorf, highlights the limit between the layers of alpine limestone of Überschiebung and flysch. The outcrop with the road of Breitach in the north of Weidach, close to Oberstdorf shows a succession of layers in the limestone of Schratten of the tablecloths of Helveticum. With the géotope outcrop of the valley lower of Steig than Immenstadt, the highest fresh water molasse sub-bases of Steig are apparent. The géotope outcrop of the valley lower of Weissach-Tobel than Steibis contains fresh water molasse sub-bases. The outcrop of Basalte to the road of Bad Hindelang-Oberjoch highlights the neo-formation of a oceanic Croûte during the Cretaceous. The Landslide of Hinterstein is one of largest of the Alps d' Allgäu. It occurred in 1965 and was supported by the morphology of the layers of Allgäu.

• the throats of Breitach close to Oberstdorf are deepest of Allgäu. They were created after the glacial period along a system of Faille S in the limestone of Schratten. With the brêche of Eisen and Äulesgasse of the south-east of Hinterstein, Ostrach surmounts the Cluse dolomite in a narrow and deep throat. The old sandstone break in the North-West of Oberstdorf contains the green sandstone of Oberstdorf, a formation of regression in the sector helvète. The Lake Engeratsgund, in the group of Daumen is also a géotope. The Karmulde is a small valley filled with lakes dug in the slightly eroded layers of Allgäu with processions with the 100 height meters walls where the dolomites of the cover of the valley of Lech are. The fold with the road of Riedberg highlights an inversion of the layers of flysch. The Stratigraphie with the road of the Log with Obermaiselstein shows a succession of layers of green sandstones of Helveticum.
• the erosion of the glacier in the north of the pond near Rettenberg shows projections and pads in the direction of the displacement of the ice. The procession of Höll in the lower course of the valley of Dieter, side with the valley of Trettach, illustrates an example of mouth of the side valleys in the principal valleys more strongly eroded by the glaciers. The géotope Kar put Gaisalpseen contains the high circus with the pair of lakes with Oberstdorf. There, a 150 height meters glacial circus is, between the two lakes, like the proof of the shape of high mountains formed with the Pléistocène.
• the falls of Lech with Füssen count among most beautiful géotopes of the administrative unit of Souabe. The water masses of the river flow in addition to five stages on the hard mineral layers of limestone of Wetterstein, twelve meters lower. To the lower part of the cascade, Lech enters a canyon. It is the single throat in all the Bavarian alpine space through which one of the largest alpine rivers can run still freely. The géotope Prallhang der Bolgenach in Balderschwang highlights the interesting result of a folding of the layers of Feuerstätter on those of the deposits of aptychus.
• the géotope of the Lake Seealp is in the south of Nebelhorn in a glaciated valley. The throats of Starzlach with Sonthofen contain the opening of Starzlach through hard Nummulite limestones. In the Wup career in the south-west of Kranzegg, molasse sub-bases of fresh water and sea level. The Straßenaufschluss amndt Faltenbach in Oberstdorf shows layers of ultra-Swiss Leimen. The hole of Sturmanns in the south of Obermaiselstein is with the junction of the layers in the limestone wall of Schratten of Helvetikum.
• the géotope of the falls of Täschle is composed of a 70 height meters almost continuous cascade in the valley of Bärgündle, a source of Ostrach. The rock of Torfelsen to the Lake Weissen near Füssen, on the southern bank of the lake, is bored in arch. It is made of components of Préalpes which show an older erosion of this part of the solid mass. The water fall in the North-West of the ruins of the castle of Nesselburg is in Nesselwang on the northern slope of Alpspitze. The cascade plunges on 22 meters in the fresh water molasse sub-bases on the four levels.

Apart from the restricted field of the Alps d' Allgäu, one finds in the vaster area ranging between Pfänderrücken and Adelegg much of others géotopes interesting:

• the outcrop in the valley of Koller highlights the typical succession of the fresh water molasse roadbases in the area of Adelegg-Schwemmfächers. It is in the North-West of Kempten. The old Buchenberg career at the place of the same name, in the west of Kempten, is approximately two kilometers in the north of the septentrional alpine tectonic edge in the fresh water molasse roadbases. The procession of Eis in the south-west of Maierhöfen corresponds to boring by high Argen through the assembly line between Kugel and Kapf. At this place, the ground is open fresh water molasse sub-bases on the molasse roadbases of sea to the fresh water molasse roadbases.

• the erratic Bloc with Langenegg is in Iller, halfway between Immenstadt and Kempten. It comes from fresh water the lower molasse rocks. The erratic block close to Oberstdorf in the south of the Lakes Niedersonthofen is composed of a coarse conglomerate of these same rocks. The erratic block Rabenstein in Ermengerst is in the zone of the old Kemptner glacier immediately in the west of Kempten. That in Untereinöden between Adelegg and Sonneneck probably comes from an old woman Moraine of the glacier of the the Rhine. That on the commune of Weiler-Simmerberg in the North-East of Pfänderrücken is the largest erratic block transported by a remote glacier found in the north of the alpine Tectonic foreland. However its volume was reduced by the use since centuries as a career. The géotope Illerdurchbruch EIB Oberkottern is in the south of Kempten and present granitic molasses .
• the narrow river valley of Schratten in the south of Rieggis is in the west of the Lakes Niedersonthofen. At this place a 30 height meters runs out cascade. The course of the brook follows the glacial conduit between molasse cliffs. The outcrop with Rieggis is between the lake and Hauchenberg and highlights higher fresh water molasse conglomerates. The géotope of the circus of Palate ( Palast Kar ) in the south of Waltrams is on the northern slope of Hauchenberg. It is the most Scandinavian small valley and deepest formed in the alpine Tectonic foreland by a local glacier during the Glaciation of Würm.
• the géotope of Pierre rough to the Eschachberg hamlet contains remainders of a stone column of High-Pleistocene in the west of the alpine Tectonic foreland. It is in the west of Kempten close to the mountain of Blender, equipped with a hertzian tower. The water falls of Scheidegg belong to most beautiful the géotopes of the administrative unit of Souabe. Ricken plunges on the two levels more than 40 meters downwards in higher fresh water molasse rocks. The géotope of the hole of the dead ice with Vogelsang is with the north-eastern extremity of Pfänderrücken. The blocks of ice given up by the glacial language of the glacier of the Rhine covered the broken stones, then while melting depressions caused.

Environment

Climate

From its situation in the north of the Alps, the area relatively rainy and are sprinkled with Germany. In winter, the Alps d' Allgäu are comparatively rich in snow, at least in altitude. Besides one finds still small a Glacier and Névé S.

Flora

The plant species among are varied the Alps.

Protection of nature

Länder of Bade-Wurtemberg

Only very a small portion of the Alps d' Allgäu in the broad sense belongs to Bade-Wurtemberg. It is about the area in the east and the south-east of Isny, in particular the Western area of Adelegg and part of the northern slope of the chain of Kugel.

The Natural reserve of Hengelesweiher was created in 1990 and represents a surface of 54,4 hectares in the south-east of Isny, with the foot of the chain of Kugel. It protects a pond with elements characteristic of the cultural landscape.

Almost all the space of the low part of the Alps d' Allgäu in Bade-Wurtemberg is included/understood in the protected area of Adelegg and the country to the foot of the hills of the Tertiaire. It extends since its creation in 1994 far in the west and the North-West with the foot from the mounts High-Souabe for a surface from 6.814 hectares. The rich person medium of the valleys and the heights (meadows, pastures, mountain pastures and forests) must be protected from the effects of the economy of nature.

The Bannwälder (designation of the forest reserves in Bade-Wurtemberg) are not from now on exploitable any more.

Länder of Bavaria

A multitude of categories of protected areas coexist in the Republic of Bavaria. The respective sectors are sometimes confused or overlap. In the framework of the legislation of protection of nature of the European Union it there with the Directive habitats (fauna and flora) and the Directive birds, while within the framework of the Bavarian legislation there are natural reserves, the sectors of protection of the landscape, natural heritages as well as the forest reserves. The géotopes mentioned previously do not represent a category of protected area juridically specific.

In the Bavarian part of the Alps d' Allgäu, there exist six natural reserves:

• natural reserve Allgäuer Hochalpen extends on the vast parts of the principal link and the side valleys. It was created on January 16th, 1992 and has a surface of 20.724 ha.
• natural reserve Schlappolt is on the slopes of Fellhorn and also contains the Lake Schlappolt. It was created on December 4th, 1986 and has a surface of 163 ha.
• natural reserve Aggenstein is around the top of the same name. It was created on December 7th, 1964 and has a surface of 85 ha.
• natural reserve Eistobel is in the south of Isny. It was created on September 4th, 1970 and has a surface of 70 ha.
• natural reserve Hoher Ifen contains part of the mountain of the same name as well as plate of Gottesack. It was created on August 12th, 1964 and has a surface of 2.430 ha.
• natural reserve Rohrachschlucht is near Lindau, at the border of Vorarlberg. It was created on October 28th, 1992 and has a surface of 178 ha.

Land of the Tyrol

A long time, the natural reserve of the Lake Vilsalp was the single protected area in the tyrolienne part of the Alps d' Allgäu. She contains the area around the lake to the mountainous link between Geishorn and Leilachspitze and has a square form roughly. She was approved in 1957 and was ordered recently on December 15th, 1998, for a surface of 18,2 km ².

In 2004 only, another protected area united there with the natural reserve of the valley of Lech tyrolienne. She was created after a contradictory long discussion. Per moment, the introduction of a National park was considered. Natural reserve is finally rather longiligne and extends along Lech since the mouth from Cheap upstream until Lechleiten like along certain side valleys. It was created on December 1st, 2004 and has a surface of 41,38 km ². This zone is limited in many places to a simple narrow ribbon on each bank of Lech. In the area of Elmen, as of the mouth of Streim coming from the Alps de Lechtal, the ribbon widens. Between Stanzach and Weissenbach amndt Lech, vast surfaces of broken stones are protected.

The protected area also extends on certain side valleys located in the Alps de Lechtal. Upstream, the valley of Cheap in fact part, like the preceding ones, of the germano-Austrian border with Pfronten to the mouth of Lech. Since Weissenbach amndt Lech, Weissen belongs until height of Gaicht to the protected area. Black Water tyrolienne is also included in this one until the south of Kastenkopf. Moreover, in this valley, of greater forest zones on the southernmost slope of Leilachspitze belong to natural reserve. The following side valley belonging to the latter is the valley of Horn de Hinterhornbach with Einmündung in Lech, as well as the forest zones on the northern slope of the link of Hornbach since Klimmspitze until Urbeleskarspitze. Other sectors are in the lower course of Bernhardsbach or the course lower of Hohenbach than Holzgau with the cascade of Simms.

The natural park of the valley of Lech tyrolienne is confused with the natural reserve of the same name. It is a characteristic of the law of protection of nature of the Tyrol which wants that a natural park can be justified only so of the zones are already created in favor of nature, the landscape, calm or of special protected areas.

Within the framework of the Directive habitats and Directive birds of the European Union (Natura 2000), the Land of the Tyrol created in all thirteen fields for a total surface of 1 836,37 km ². Two of these fields representing a surface of 5.969 hectares are for whole or part in the protected areas described previously.

The Directive habitats and the Directive birds of the Lake Vilsalp agree with the natural reserve of the same name. It has a surface of 1.831 ha and was created within the framework of the network Natura 2000 in 1995. The Directive habitats and the Directive birds of the valley of Lech agree with the natural reserve of the same name. It has a surface of 4.138 ha and was created within the framework of the network Natura 2000 in 2000.

Land of Vorarlberg

The largest protected area located in the part of Vorarlberg of the Alps d' Allgäu is the botanical reserve of Hochifen and the plate of Gottesack. It was created in 1964 and represents a surface of 2.956 hectares. It includes the southern slope of Hohe Ifen and the plate of Gottesack as well as the neighborhoods of the refuge of Black Water and the source of Subersach. The category of the reserve comes from the origin from protection of nature in plain in Vorarlberg and from now on is not applied any more. Some of the botanical reserves created in the last decades were integrated gradually in new natural reserves. At the end of 2005, it remained nothing any more but three botanical reserves in Vorarlberg. Their guarantee of protection is relatively weak; thus the construction of ski slopes and the chair-lift of Ifen on the southern slope of the plate of Gottesack could not be prevented.

In the part of Vorarlberg of the Alps d' Allgäu, there exist other protected areas, more reduced in term of surface:

• the local protected area of Bengerpark is in Bregenz, just like the part of the landscape protected from Era-Wäldele. The local protected area of Halbenstein was created in 2001 and includes the neighborhoods of the ruins of the castle of Halbenstein on the northern slope of Pfänderrücken with Hörbranz. There, from rare species of plants are protected. The natural reserve of Hirschberg was created in 1974 and has a surface of 328 ha. It is in the surroundings of Hirschberg, the highest point of Pfänderrücken. The natural reserve of Kojenmoos was created in 1987 for a surface of 56 ha, on the high-plate between Hochhäderich in the link of the Cliff and the chain of Kojen, along the germano-Austrian border.
• the local protected area of Langenegg-North is in the north of the commune of Langenegg on the peak between Bregenzer Ache, Weissach and Bolgenach. The part of the landscape protected from Maihof was created in 1992 and is in the north of Lochau, near the lake of Constancy. The natural reserve of Mehrerauer Seeufer-Bregenzerachmündung was created in 1991 and has a surface of 107 ha. It is on each bank of the mouth of Bregenzer Ache in the lake of Constancy as immediately in the east of this one.
• Rohrach natural reserve was created in 1992 and has a surface of 47,5 ha. It is a forestry reserve in which the forestry development is prohibited. It is close to Ricken on the northern slope of Pfänderrücken at the germano-Austrian border. Rossbad natural reserve was created in 1973 for a surface of 103 ha and is in the north of the commune of Langenegg. Its septentrional limit forms Weissach and its Western limit skirts Glatz. On the territory which it occupies, a mosaic of marshes, meadows and forests are protected. The part of the landscape protected from Schurreloch was created in 1978 and only has a surface of 0,7 ha. It is directly in the west of the artificial lake of Bolgenach, in the North-West of the commune of Hittisau.

Within the framework of the Directive habitats and Directive birds of the European Union (Natura 2000), a total of 22 fields were created by the Land of Vorarlberg for a total surface of 20 799,83 ha. Five of these fields representing a surface of 626,31 ha are for whole or part in the protected areas described previously.

The sector of protection of the birds of Bregenzerachschlucht was created in 1995 for a surface of 434 ha and includes the throats of Bregenzer Ache since the mouth of Weissach to their exit in the plain of the Rhine with Kennelbach. The sector of Leiblach, with a surface of 7,62 ha, was created in 2002 and is on the course of the small river of Leiblach in the north of Vorarlberg. The sector of protection of the birds of Mehrerauer Seeufer-Bregenzerachmündung was created in 1995 and includes the natural reserve of the same name, case which one finds with that of Rohrach (48 ha, creation in 1995). The sector of Witmoos was created in 1995 also, for a surface of 18 ha, and is in the Bregenzerwald in Langen in the south of Pfänderrücken. It contains a very natural marshy complex.

Activities

Winter sports resorts

• Bach

• Bad Hindelang
• Blaichach
• Bolsterlang
• Bregenz
• Grän
• Höfen
• Immenstadt
• Mittelberg
• Nesselwang
• Nesselwängle
• Oberstaufen
• Oberstdorf
• Pfronten
• Schoppernau
• Tannheim

Access roads

The Alps d' Allgäu are not considered, compared to other solid masses of the Alps, like a eldorado of the mountain roads. Between the collar of Riedberg and the valley of Tannheim, over a 65 kilometers length, the principal link cannot be crossed by motorized vehicle. That made of the high-valley of Iller with Oberstdorf and its side valleys one of the greatest dead ends of the Alps.

The collar of Riedberg is the single suitable road collar of the Alps d' Allgäu. It connects the valley of Iller to Bregenzerwald and reached an altitude of 1.406 Mr. It is practicable in a sure way all the year because it represents the single connection for the commune of Balderschwang with the remainder of Germany. At the top is the skiable field of Grasgehren.

The slip road of Oberstdorf on Rohrmoos then Sibratsgfäll in Bregenzerwald is allowed only until Rohrmoos for the public motor vehicle traffic. Between Rohrmoos and Sibratsgfäll, the road is blocked. D' Oberstdorf with Rohrmoos, a tax of right-of-way is required for the section since posterior Tiefen until Rohrmoos. The tariff is to be paid with an automated toll. The road reaches an altitude of 1.120 Mr.

Since Oberstdorf, the Kleine Walsertal is practicable until Baad to 1.244 m, just as the valley of Black Water, a side valley, to the Auen refuge to 1.275 Mr. the valley of Stillach is practicable by the public motor vehicle traffic to the station of Fellhornbahn. The regular bus can go as for him further until Birgau. Barouches drawn by horses intended for the public transport make it possible to go until Einödsbach. The valley of Trettach is blocked with public circulation. Vehicles of substitution go until Spielmannsau.

The valley of Gunzesrieder is practicable of Sonthofen until Gunzesrieder Säge in the car. From there, two private roads carry out further towards Scheidwangalpe on the one hand and Höllritzer Alpe on the other hand. In both cases, a tax of passage is required.

On the southern slope of the Alps d' Allgäu the collar of Hochtannberg to 1.676 m of altitude is. It connects the valley of Lech to the valley of Bregenzer Ache. The rise on this side is considerably stiffer than other; it is typical watershed the Rhine-Danube. The affluents of the Rhine are always notably more sloping and have a greater force of erosion than the affluents of the Danube. This is due to the short distance which the Rhine to the sea compared to the Danube must traverse.

The valley of Ostrach is practicable of Sonthofen via Bad Hindelang in Hinterstein without any restriction. Thereafter, the access until the end of the valley to the refuge of Giebel is blocked to the motor vehicle traffic. During the summer, a line of bus attends however this portion.

The valley of Tannheim is a high valley accessible on all sides only by the means of collars. But it acts in all the cases of very soft slopes, hardly perceptible. Along the Cheap ones which sprinkles the valley does not pass any public highway. Since Sonthofen or Wertach, one crosses Oberjoch to 1.175 m of altitude. In direction of Sonthofen via Bad Hindelang one with the impression of a road of coll Since the valley of Lech, one reaches that of Tannheim by the collar of Gaicht, which cannot really be regarded as such only in this direction. Lastly, since Pfronten, a road reaches the hamlet of Grän in the valley of Tannheim, of which the highest point is little before the entry in this one.

From Vorarlberg, there are several possibilities of arriving by the highway network in edge or inside the Alps d' Allgäu. Thus, one reaches Schönenbach-Vorsäss by a road since Bizau in the solid mass of Bregenzerwald, of which the use is sometimes paying. It is in the west of the solid mass and constitutes a starting point for the Western slope of Hoher Ifen with the plate of Gottesack. Since Hittisau, in low Bregenzerwald, one reaches Sibratsfäll in the west of the Alps d' Allgäu by an allowed road with the public motor vehicle traffic which is prolonged somewhat in the east of the village. To the north of Hittisau, an highway network carries out without any tax towards the Hochhäderich hotel beyond 1.200 meters of altitude. The end of the road is on a vast projecting ledge in the most Western link of the Cliff. It is a starting point for excursions in the west of the link as well as the seat of a skiable field.

Excursion

The landscapes are emphasized by the use of the Téléphérique S and the layout of the footpaths. Of refuge in refuge, it is possible to go during seven to ten days without never going down again in the valleys.

Refuges

In the Alps d' Allgäu, there exist 24 refuges of alpine associations. The majority is in high-mountain and is accessible only after several hours from walk, but some are in the valleys. Most is the refuge Hermann von Barth, at an altitude of 2.131 the largest Mr. is the refuge of the Lake Rappen with 350 beds and berths.

• Altes Höfle : altitude 966 m, 40 beds, 16 mattress of camp, accessible by the valley from Gunzesried (15 min of walk since Gunzesrieder Säge), requires to hold in advance

• Refuge Bad Kissinger: altitude 1792 m, 9 beds, 55 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Pfronten-Steinach (2h of walk of Grän), exploited at the beginning of May with the end of October
• Hut Edmund Probst: altitude 1930 m, 54 beds, 54 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Obestdorf, beside the station of Nebelhornbahn, exploited at the end of May with mid-October
• Refuge of the collar of Fidere: altitude 2067 m, 10 beds, 99 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Mittelberg (2h of walk from the station of Kanzelwandbahn), exploited at the end of May with mid-October
• Grünten Hut: altitude 1540 m, with the lower part of the transmitter to the way of Burgberg with Grünten, exploited the every day except Monday in summer, only the weekend in winter
• Hut of the Lake Halden: altitude 1150 m, 56 beds, 44 mattresses of camp, on the road To haul-Nesselwängle, open all the year after reservation
• Schattwald Hut: altitude 1100 m, 20 beds, 22 mattress of camp, directly in Schattwald Fricken district, open all the year after reservation
• Refuge Hermann von Barth: altitude 2131 m, 53 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Elbigenalp (3h10 of walk), exploited mid-June with the beginning of October
• Inn of youth of Bad Hindelang: altitude 870 m, 70 beds, 24 mattresses of camp, bus stop Bad Hindelang-Luitpoldbad
• Cabane Kaufbeurer: altitude 2007 m, 50 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Hinterhornbach (2h45 of walk), exploited Pentecost with the beginning of October after reservation, accessible the remainder from time with the step AV, winter room with 14 berths
• Refuge Kemptner: altitude 1846 m, 100 beds, 190 mattresses of camp, room winter with 26 berths, accessible by the valley from Oberstdorf (3h of walk of Holzgau), exploited mid-June with mid-October
• Lansberg Refuge: altitude 1810 m, 30 beds, 170 mattresses of camp, winter room with 16 berths, accessible by the valley from Tannheim (1h30 of walk of the Lake Vilsalp), exploited of Pentecost with mid-October
• Hut of the valley of Mahd: altitude 1100 m, 16 beds, 18 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Riezlern (15 min of walk), requires to hold in advance
• Refuge Mindelheim: altitude 2058 m, 120 mattresses of camp, room winter with 12 berths, accessible by the valley from Mittelberg (3h of walk), exploited mid-June with mid-October
• Refuge Otto Mayr: altitude 1530 m, 24 beds, 60 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Musau (1h of walk from the station of Füssener-Jöchl-Top spins), exploited at the beginning of May at the end of October and Christmas
• Refuge Otto Schwegler: altitude 1070 m, 50 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Gunzesried (30 min of walk since Gunzesrieder Säge), open all the year after reservation
• Hut Prinz Luitpold: altitude 1846 m, 20 beds, 142 mattresses of camp, room winter with 16 berths, accessible by the valley from Hinterstein (3h of walk since the hut of Giebel), exploited at the beginning of June with mid-October
• Refuge of the Lake Rappen: altitude 2091 m, 42 beds, 300 mattresses of camp, room winter with 30 berths, accessible by the valley from Oberstdorf (2h30 of walk since Lech), exploited mid-June with mid-October
• Ravensburg Hut: altitude 950 m, 50 beds, accessible by the valley from Steibis (15 min of walk), open all the year after reservation
• Refuge of Schwarzenberg: altitude 1380 m, 4 beds, 38 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Hinterstein (45 min of walk since the hut of Giebel), exploited the summer until All Saints' day and in Christmas
• Refuge of Black Water: altitude 1620 m, 41 beds, 30 berths, accessible by the valley from Hirschegg (1h30 of walk since the refuge of Auen), exploited at the beginning of June at mid-October and Christmas
• Staufner Hut: altitude 1634 m, 10 beds, 76 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Steibis (15 min of walk from the station of Hochgratbahn), exploited at the beginning of May at All Saints' day and the winter during the holidays and the weekends
• Refuge of Tannheim: altitude 1760 m, 18 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Nesselwängle (1h30 of walk), exploited May at October
• Waltenberg Hut: altitude 2085 m, 6 beds, 65 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Oberstdorf (3h of walk since Einöd), exploited mid-June with the beginning of October
• Refuge Willi Merkl-Gedächtnis: altitude 1550 m, 38 mattresses of camp, accessible by the valley from Musau (1h of walk from the station of Füssener-Jöchl-Bahn), requires to hold in advance

The refuges are opened, generally, of mid-June until the end of September. Many refuges propose also a provisioning. In rare cases, it is recommended to collect information updated at alpine association or in the valleys.

Paths of great excursion

The European Sentier of great excursion E4 (the Pyrenees - Lake of Constancy - Lake Neusiedl - Lake Balaton - Rila - Peak) crosses the most septentrional part of the Alps d' Allgäu in the East-West direction. To begin, since Bregenz, a little atypical thing for a path of great excursion, the line of public bus regular is taken until Lingenau in Bregenzerwald. Then, the walker leaves to foot and reaches Rotenberg until Hittisau. From there, it joined the Lake Leckner to Hochgrat and further the edge from the link of the Cliff then Sonthofen. Then, it passes to Tiefenbacher Eck then Unterjoch and further along the Cheap ones until Pfronten. From there, the way continues on the chain of Falken and in front of the Lake Alat then with Füssen. E4 continues then in the Alps d' Ammergau. Between Bregenz and the Lake Neusiedler, there exist two alternative routes. The normal route crosses the Alps d' Allgäu as described previously. The alternative route E4 passes to the south of the Alps d' Allgäu by the solid mass of Bregenzerwald, the solid mass of Lechquellen and the Alps de Lechtal.

The European path of great excursion E5 (Atlantic - Lake of Constancy - the Alps - Adriatic Sea) crosses the Alps d' Allgäu of north to the south. De Bregenz with Sonthofen, the course is identical to that of E4. De Sonthofen with Oberstdorf, it follows Iller. From there, the walker joined the Kemptner refuge in the valley of Trettach and Spielmannsau. Since the refuge, the way goes up in Mädelejoch. It is the highest point of E5 in the Alps d' Allgäu with 1.974 m of altitude. At this place, it crosses the austro-Germanic border, then goes down again in the valley of Lech until Holzgau. After having the course of the river followed, the walker enters the Alps de Lechtal.

The Via Alpina, a path of great tourist and transborder excursion, with five possible alternatives, through all Alps, passes in particular in the Alps d' Allgäu.

The red route offers four stages in the solid mass:

• R49 stage: of Weissenbach amndt Lech to the hut Prinz Luitpold
• R50 stage: hut Prinz Luitpold in Oberstdorf via Käseralpe and the valley of OY (see also A66 stage)
• R51 stage: of Oberstdorf to the refuge Mindelheim
• R52 stage: Mindelheim refuge in Schröcken

The purple route offers four stages in the solid mass:

• A63 stage: of Füssen with Pfronten
• A64 stage: of Pfronten with Tannheim
• A65 stage: of Tannheim to the hut Prinz Luitpold
• A66 stage: hut Prinz Luitpold in Oberstdorf via the hut Edmund Probst (see also R50 stage)

Oberstdorf is the terminus of the purple route.

The yellow route offers two stages in the solid mass:

• B39 stage: of Holzgau im Lechtal to the refuge Kemptner
• B40 stage: Kemptner refuge in Oberstdorf

Oberstdorf is also the terminus of the yellow route. The direction of the course of the yellow route of Via Alpina by the Alps d' Allgäu corresponds to the direction of the course of the European path of great E5 excursion in the other direction.

The circular tourist path of Oberallgäu ( Oberallgäuer Rundwanderweg ) carries out walk in round in the contrary direction of the needles of a watch by Oberallgäu and the septentrional half of the Alps d' Allgäu. Here stages through the solid mass:

• stage 4a: station of Hündlebahn with Oberstaufen until Scheidwang via the Cliff link

• stage 4b: of Scheidwang with Grasgehren to the collar of Riedberg
• stage 5a: of Grasgehren until Rohrmoos
• stage 5b: of Rohrmoos until Riezlern in the small valley of Walser
• stage 6a: of Riezlern until Schönblick in Söllereckbahn
• stage 6b: of Schönblick via the Freiberg Lake until Obertsdorf
• stage 7a: of Oberstdorf via Gaisalp until Altstädterhof
• stage 7b: of Altstädterhof until Bad Hindelang
• stage 8a: of Hindelang via Wertacher Hörnle until Schnitzlertalalpe
• stage 8b: of Schnitzlertalalpe until Wertach

The tourist path of Allgäu souabe (Augsburg, Sonthofen) carries out in two stages in the Alps d' Allgäu. The eighth stage carries out of Maria Rain to Wertach via the heights of Elleger. The ninth and last stage of the path carry out of Wertach to Sonthofen via the " Large Fôret" and peaks of Starzlach.

Footpaths

The character marked in assembly lines of the Alps d' Allgäu allowed the installation of the whole of the network of the footpaths. They connect the refuges of alpine associations or other refuges and hotels and allow excursions of several days. But they offer also many possibilities for only one day excursions.

In the principal link primarily, the southern and south-eastern part of the Alps d' Allgäu, it there with the possibility of undertaking excursions of several days of refuge in refuge without going down in the inhabited valleys. But the temporal window during which they can be realized during the year is relatively short: it is limited at the beginning of July to mid-September. They are in this case really races of high-mountain with uneven the often considerable ones and very variables. The concept of way height ( Höhenweg ) takes all its accuracy here.

Five footpaths received a name that it is clean for them. The Heilbronn way carries out refuge of the Lake Rappen towards the Waltenberger hut or further towards the Kemptner refuge in the principal link. The Düsseldorf path connects the Kemptner refuge to the refuge Hermann von Barth in the north around the Krottenkopf Gross and of Marchspitze by the breach of March. The way of the Jubilee connects the hut Prinz Luitpold to Willersalpe with the top of Hinterstein. The Enzensperg way passes in the east of the chain of Hornbach between the refuge Hermann von Barth and the Kaufberer hut. Lastly, the Krumbach way connects the refuge of the collar of Fidere or Kühgundalpe to the Mindelheim refuge.

The footpaths and the refuges in the principal link and its side links are not connected all directly. An example of excursion over several days relatively long is possible as follows:

• day 1: station of Fellhorn or Kanzelwand - refuge of the collar of Fidere
• day 2: refuge of the collar of Fidere - refuge Mindelheim (Krumbach way)
• day 3: Mindelheim refuge - refuge Widderstein
• day 4: Widderstein refuge - refuge of the Lake Rappen
• day 5: refuge of the Lake Rappen - cants Waltenberg (Heilbronn way)
• day 6: cant Waltenberg - refuge Kemptner
• day 7: Kemptner refuge - refuge Hermann von Barth via the breach of Krottenkopf
• day 8: refuge Hermann von Barth - refuge Kemptner via the breach of March (Düsseldorf way)
• day 9: Kemptner refuge - cants Prinz Luitpold
• day 10: cant Prinz Luitpold - refuge Landsberg (way of the Jubilee)
• day 11: refuge Landsberg - Willersalpe (way of the Jubilee)
• day 12: Willersalpe - Oberjoch

Each stage lasts only approximately a half-day, so that there remains still time to climb tops. Unfortunately, the weather is seldom constant in the Alps d' Allgäu and a long crossing, as previously described, cannot take place per good weather permanently. The hikers who wish to make exclusively sunny excursions in mountain see disadvising crossings of several days in the Alps d' Allgäu.

Apart from the stages described previously, there exist other footpaths: way of the hut Edmund Probst (Nebelhorn close to Oberstdorf) to the hut Prinz Luitpold or the Kemptner refuge, way of Neunerkopf (with the top of Tannheim) to the Landsberg refuge and way of the refuge Hermann von Barth with the hut Kaufberer (Enzensperg way)

Moreover, apart from the principal link and of its side links, there exist footpaths which do not form consequently any coherent network. Thus, one can cross the link of the Cliff in two days with one night in the Staufner hut. Another way carries out of Hochgrat to the collar of Riedberg via the tops of molasse and flysch. The plate of Gottesack can be crossed by the means of various ways. Lastly, in the mountains of Tannheim, a course of several days of Pfronten to the peaks of Hahnen via the refuge of Bad Kissinger and the Gimpel hut or the refuge Otto Mayr are possible.

Cable cars

In the Alps d' Allgäu, currently, the Téléphérique S following are in service the summer for the tourists, the hikers and the mountaineers:

• the Breitenbergbahn is a cable car functioning on a simple cable (small telpher carrier) of Pfronten-Steinach in Allgäu in lower Breitenberg, a buttress of Breitenberg. The station in valley is in the valley of Cheap on B309 and at the railway station Pfronten-Steinach to 800 m height while the station at the top is with 1400 Mr. the cable car was renovated in 1996 with cabins which can contain 6 people. It is prolonged by the Hochalpbahn which was renovated in 2004 and saw the opening of a fourth Télésiège. Its departure is on 1498 m of altitude and its arrival to 1680 m, 158 m in lower parts of the top of Breitenberg with the refuge of Ostl which are to be made with foot.

• the Didamskopfbahnen leads in two sections of Schoppernau in Vorarlberg on Didamskopf. It is a cable car functioning on a simple cable (small telpher carrier). The telpher carrier can contain 8 people. It was brought into service in 1996 and replaced a chair-lift. The starting station is to 845 m, the intermediate station to 1668 m and the arrival to 2018 m, 72 m in lower part of the top of Didamskopf.
• the Fellhornbahn in Oberallgäu led of Faistenoy in the valley of Stillach to the south of Oberstdorf towards the edge of Fellhorn. It is a cable car Pendelbahn (large telpher carrier) with two sections. The lower section comprises two cabins which take each one 80 people. The starting station is to 927 m and the intermediate station to 1785 m, which makes a difference of 858 Mr. the higher section is composed of a simple cabin.
• the Füssener-Jöchle-Bahn is a cable car functioning on a simple cable (small telpher carrier). The cabins take each one 8 people. It leads of Grän in the valley of Tannheim to the Tyrol on Füssener Jöchle in the group of Tannheim. The cable car was brought into service in 1998 and replaces a preceding double chair-lift. The starting station is to 1206 m and the arrival to 1823 m
• the Hochgratbahn is a cable car functioning on a simple cable (small telpher carrier) of Lanzenbach Säge in Western Allgäu with the edge in lower part of the top of Hochgrat. The starting station is in the valley of Weissach in the south of Oberstaufen and Steibis.
• the Kanzelwandbahn is a cable car functioning on a double cable (small telpher carrier) in Kleine Walsertal in Vorarlberg. It leads of Riezlern on Kanzelwand. It was brought into service in 1955 and regularly modernized. The cabins take each one 6 people. The difference in altitude between the two stations is of 870 Mr.

• the Nebelhornbahn leads periphery of Oberstdorf in Oberallgäu in three sections on the top of Nebelhorn. It is the highest point accessible by a cable car in the Alps d' Allgäu. It is a cable car Pendelbahn (large telpher carrier). It was built in 1977 and partially renovated. The last section was built in 1991 and replaces two preceding chair-lifts. The cabins of the two lower sections contain 40 people against 30 for those driving at the top. The starting station is to 828 m, the first station intermediate of Seealpe to 1280 m, the second to 1932 m and the arrival to 2214 m only 10 m in lower part of the top.
• the Pfänderbahn in Vorarlberg led of Bregenz to the lake of Constancy towards Pfänder. It is a cable car Pendelbahn (large telpher carrier). The two cabins contain each one 80 people. It was open in 1927 and renovated during the following years. The starting station is to 419 m and arrived at 1022 m, that is to say 603 m of uneven.
• the Reuttener Bergbahn leads center of Reutte to the Tyrol towards the peaks of Hahnnen. It is a cable car Pendelbahn with large telpher carrier of which each one takes 38 people. It was open in 1957. The starting station is to 931 m and the arrival to 1740 m (198 m in lower part of the culminating point of the peaks), is 809 m of uneven.
• the Vogelhornbahn is a cable car functioning on a simple cable (small telpher carrier). It was brought into service in 2000 and replaces a preceding chair-lift. It leads valley of Tannheim to the Tyrol towards Neunerkopf (the culminating point is Nachbarberg). Each cabin contains 8 people.
• the Walmendingerhornbahn is a cable car Pendelbahn (large telpher carrier) in Kleine Walsertal in Vorarlberg. It leads of Mittelberg to Walmendinger Horn. Each cabin contains 40 people. It was open in 1966 and crosses a difference in altitude of 740 Mr.

Via ferrata

In the specialized literature and the corresponding tables of content, six Via ferrata are enumerated in the Alps d' Allgäu. It is about via ferrata Hindelang of Nebelhorn to the Daumen Gross, the Heilbronn way of the refuge of the Lake Rappen to the Kemptner refuge, of via ferrata Mindelheim of the refuge of the collar of Fidere to the Mindelheim refuge, of via ferrata Hohe Gänge between Rotspitze and Breitenberg, of the Bäumenheim way in Hochvogel since the south, and of via ferrata Friedberg of Füssener Jöchle in Roten Fluh via the stiff brêche ( Schartschrofen ).

However, summarized under the concept via ferrata, the ways are very diverse. The Heilbronn way is more a hiking trail. When it was open in 1899, the concept of via ferrata did not exist yet. On its layout, certainly, a metal scale and several meters of steel rope are, but they are thought less for the progression than for protection, in the same manner as to the Bäumenheim way with the southern rise in Hochvogel since Hinterhornbach.

Much later that these two hiking trails only were inaugurated in the Alps d' Allgäu them via ferrata strictly speaking. In the Years 1970, three via ferrata were open, thus imitating the installations already available in the Eastern Préalpes Southerners. Via ferrata Mindelheim was open in 1975, those of Hindelang and following Friedberg a little later. These three ways present average degrees of difficulty. The utility of tourism and the close cable cars were also decisive for the construction of several of them. Thus, it via ferrata Hindelang increases the attractivity of Nebenhornbahn which makes it possible to arrive in a few minutes of the station the top at the beginning of the way. Via ferrata Friedberg allows a direct and interesting link of the station of Füssener-Jöchle-Bahn the central group of Tannheim towards Rote Fluh and Gimpel.

Via ferrata Hohe Gänge supplements that of Hindelang. But it is also a way which is climbed independently, relatively long on the level of the approach, and which guarantees certain calm. Another way, short and still relatively confidential, was open in 1983 to Jungfrauspitze on the southern slope of Wolekleskarspitze in the chain of Hornbach. It crosses a 20 meters height by the means of a continuous steel rope and is very hard. In the specialized literature, it is almost ignored. Moreover, in Préalpes, of the similar installations made irruption meanwhile. Thus Steineberg in the link of the Cliff can be climbed from now on by a simple very long and air scale with an in front being steel wire rope. The alternate footpath carries out, since Mittagberg, far towards the west along the summit rock and is thus much less direct. At the end of the scales, one finds oneself suddenly on grassy large surface with the cross at the top.

There strictly speaking does not exist via the ferrata sporting one in the Alps d' Allgäu. In the Years 1990, it via ferrata Mindelheim was on several occasions the object of precise destructive actions.

See too

Related articles

• Geography of the Eastern Alps

Bibliography and cartography

• H. Scholz, Beam und Werden der Allgäuer Landschaft , bookstore of edition Schweizerbart' sche (Stuttgart), 1995
• Guide of alpine associations Allgäuer Alpen und Ammergauer Alpen , 16th edition, publisher of mountain Rudolf Rother (Munich), 2004
• : According to the new general directives of the guides of alpine associations, this guide contains only excursions until the degree of difficulty II. The more difficult excursions are not mentioned any more. That means that there does not remain now any work which describes the Alps d' Allgäu from a point of view of the excursion and tourism in their entirety.
• Guide of alpine associations Allgäuer Alpen , to the 15th edition, publisher of mountain Rudolf Rother (Munich) ( exhausted )
• : These old editions contain all the known excursions (except sporting excursions).
• Chart of alpine associations 2/1 Allgäuer-Lechtaler Alpen - West 1:25000, 8th edition, 2004
• Chart of alpine associations 2/2 Allgäuer-Lechtaler Alpen - Ost 1:25000, 7th edition, 2002
• Chart of alpine associations 3/2 Lechtaler Alpen Arlberggebiet 1:25000, topographic edition 2003
• Chart 1:50000 Kempten und Umgebung , Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt München
• Chart topographic 1:50000 Füssen und Umgebung , Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt München
• Chart topographic 1:50000 Lindau-Oberstaufen und Umgebung , Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt München
• Chart topographic 1:50000 Allgäuer Alpen , Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt München

External bonds

• Excursion, alpinism and refuges in the Alps d' Allgäu
• Protection of nature in Bade-Wurtemberg
• Sites Natura 2000 in Bade-Wurtemberg

Random links:

Åmål vete a la mierda | Herve Mariton | Hormone steroid | Safety by the darkness | Cassianus Bassus | Robert Broom | Chris_Shelton

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