Gottesacker and the Hoher Ifen offer a unique geological and botanical attraction in Europe. Even the Romans took their army from the long, striking rock faces, on their way across the Alps. The rock is made of Schrattenkalk, formed 120 million years ago, in the shallow waters of the Thetis, a primeval sea when all continents were still close together. Between the rock walls lie on both sides flat valleys. The name refers to the moonscape-like look of the plateau. A desert rock landscape with cracks, mysterious caves, deep holes such as the famous Hölloch, one of the largest and most demanding caves in Germany and rare mountain plants in this protected area. The Gottesacker Plateau is so wide, possible routes are so many, the crevices and crags obstruct the view so that you barely meet any other party. Beyond the little valley you can see the giant step of the Upper Gottesackerwände, which are scaled on their eastern side where the view over the plateau are awesome. All scramble up the crags and down the crevices, you are forced to do many detours. From here we can see the next target, the Hoher Ifen (2,230m), the highest peak of the Kleinwalsertal Valley. We can climb to its summit using fixed cables. The summit is a tilted plateau surrounded by a limestone rock face of differing height. Like a Table Mountain Hoher Ifen towers above the Kleinwalsertal valley. There are much higher mountains in Allgäu but its particular shape makes it really special.
The view is magnificent! From this balcony we can see the Gottesacker Plateau and further in the distance is the Bregenz Forest, the Rätikon mountain range and Lake Constance and on the other side the Lech range and many beautiful Allgäu mountains complete the panorama. From here we go down on the other side of Hohen Ifen till we reach through a ring tour the Auenhutte for a very well deserved refreshment with food and beer or we can stop in Oberstdorf for dinner! :)
Webcam: Hahnenköpflebahn Bergstation / Ifenbergbahn
Winter hike: The hike is not recommended in winter as the crevasses might be hidden under the snow and the cables on the Ifen wall might be removed. If you plan to do this hike in winter, you need ice axe, crampons and necessary experience.
