Koblat mountain hike on the Nebelhorn

This magnificent high-altitude hike takes you to an impressive summit with comparatively little elevation gain. Challenging trails lead past beautiful mountain lakes and offer phenomenal views almost continuously. A variant allows you to skip the summit climb.

The starting point is at the top station of the Nebelhornbahn cable car, which departs from the center of Oberstdorf. From there, you hike briefly uphill and over a ridge, behind which the Koblat awaits you with fairly flat trails. On the high plateau of karst rock, several mountain lakes lie surrounded by the sparse vegetation of the high Alps. You hike past the Koblatsee to the Laufbichlsee. There, you can decide whether to descend directly to the Engeratsgundsee (lake) or climb the Großer Daumen (large thumb) in a series of switchbacks.

The climb takes you up to the ridge in switchbacks and then to a sweeping summit plateau where you can relax. On clear days, you can even see the Hohe Tauern and the Bernese Alps from here. The descent to Engeratsgundsee is rocky and steep. And the final section can also be a challenge for your knees. You'll hike down into the Ostrachtal Valley, where you can stop for a bite to eat at the Engeratsgundalpe towards the end of the tour. You'll also get something to eat at the Giebelhaus at the finish.

This hike requires careful planning so that you can catch the last bus to Hinterstein at the Giebelhaus at the latest. From there, you can take the bus and train back to Oberstdorf.

Tip: Before your hike, it's best to check the Oberstdorf Tourism's mountain sports report for information about the trail network and the current mountain weather: www.oberstdorf.de/alpininfo/bergsportbericht.