Knittelhorn

The Knittelhorn is a mountain standing at 2,015 metres in the Berchtesgaden Alps. It lies within the Berchtesgaden National Park, surrounded by the Reiter Alpe to the north, the Halsalm to the east, and the Grundübelhörner peaks to the south. The Wagendrischelhorn rises to the west, and the mountain is composed of Ramsau dolomite. The terrain is rugged, with steep slopes and rocky ridges. The peak was first recorded in the 1890s, and its first ascent took place in 1891 by H. Rast and Gruber. Unlike many peaks, it remains undeveloped for tourism or industry. Reaching the summit involves either a scramble along the connecting ridge from the Kleine Grundübelhorn or a climb up the Knittelrinne gully, both requiring route-finding skills up to grade II. The summit area is treeless, covered in scree and steep gullies. Visitors often spot golden eagles and chamois. On the north-east flank above the Halsalm at about 1,300 metres, there is an overhanging rock shelter used since 2021 as a hacking site for reintroducing bearded vultures to Bavaria.