Hochgrat

As the highest elevation in the Nagelfluhkette and the entire Allgäu Alpine foothills, it plays a central role in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, which was founded in 2008 and encompasses the Nagelfluh region.

The climatically exposed location of the high ridge makes it an ideal location for recording weather measurement data, which is underlined by the measurement data station of the Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service at an altitude of 1720 metres.

The Staufner Haus, an accommodation centre of the German Alpine Club and section house of the Oberstaufen-Lindenberg section, is picturesquely situated on the north-western slope just below the connecting ridge to the Seelekopf and offers hikers and mountaineers a refuge almost all year round.

A self-service restaurant awaits visitors at the Hochgratbahn mountain station, which is open when the cable car is in operation. In addition, catered alpine huts and lodges such as the Obere Lauchalpe and Untere Lauchalpe invite you to linger during the alpine season.

There are various routes for hikers and mountain lovers, including the ascent from the valley station car park, the normal route to the mountain station or the route via Simatsgund to Brunnenauscharte. High-altitude trails from the mountain station offer impressive views and exciting hikes, while skiers can use the groomed ski slopes between the normal route and the north-west ridge, which offer downhill options at various levels of difficulty.

The Hochgrat is also a popular destination for ski tours and snowshoe hikes, but the alpine terrain also harbours dangers. There have been repeated fatal falls and avalanche accidents, as shown by the tragic incident in February 2009, when an avalanche buried two tourers on the north-east flank.