Daniel

Daniel stands on the border between Tirol and Bavaria, the highest point in the Ammergau Alps at 2,340 metres. It rises above the villages of Ehrwald and Lermoos, a limestone giant with a steep north face and a jagged south ridge. The Upsspitze, only eight metres lower, shares the summit ridge with Daniel, forming a striking double peak. To the northwest the Hochschrutte looms at 2,247 metres, another neighbour in the same chain. The range belongs to the Northern Limestone Alps, a long limestone wall running through the Eastern Alps. Hikers reach the top by a straightforward route from Lermoos that passes the Tuftlalm alpine hut and the Upsspitze. The final metres along the narrow arête demand careful footwork, but most walkers complete the climb in three to four hours. On the summit a broad view opens east to the Zugspitze massif and south across the Mieminger Range. The ridge walk to the Upsspitze adds another half hour, rewarding those who continue with a wider panorama. Maps and guides describe the path in detail, yet the mountain remains quiet compared with busier peaks nearby. Paths lead down through the Grünen Ups viewpoint, where the valley floor appears far below. The Tuftlalm offers food and rest before the final descent to Lermoos. In clear weather the Zugspitze and its glacier catch the last light of the afternoon. The route is marked but not crowded, so the mountain keeps its sense of remoteness. From Ehrwald the cable-car station at the base provides an easy start for those who prefer not to climb.