Hochkalter

The Hochkalter, 2,607 metres, is a rugged limestone massif in the Berchtesgaden Alps of Bavaria, rising across the deep Wimbach valley from its more famous neighbour the Watzmann. It holds the Blaueis, the northernmost glacier in the Alps, tucked into a shaded cirque.

That small glacier, sheltered in a north-facing hollow, gives the mountain a special high-alpine character rarely found so far north, though it has retreated markedly in recent decades and may not survive long. The Hochkalter's steep walls and remote valleys make it a wild counterpoint to the busier Watzmann.

Reaching the summit is a serious mountain undertaking. The routes from the Blaueishütte climb steep rock and the terrain beside the glacier, involving exposed scrambling and, on some lines, via ferrata sections that require sure footing, a head for heights and appropriate gear; the brittle limestone brings a real rockfall hazard, and a helmet is standard. Harder multi-pitch climbing routes rise on the steeper faces for experienced climbers.

The Blaueishütte, reached by a steep walk from Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, is the usual base and sits close to the little glacier. The reliable season is July to September, once the upper terrain is free of fresh snow. Ramsau and Berchtesgaden are the valley bases, within the Berchtesgaden National Park, with guides available. The combination of glacier, steep rock and quiet setting makes the Hochkalter a rewarding objective for experienced mountain walkers and scramblers, and the summit gives a fine view across to the Watzmann's great east face.