Nagelfluhkette – Immenstadt

A string of more than a dozen mountain peaks is connected by a fantastic, challenging ridge-line trail and forms the Nagelfluhkette that crosses the heart of the Allgäuer Alpen. My route takes on the first eight mountain tops, aided by a chairlift for the initial ascent, before looping back to the starting point through the Steigbachtal valley.
The mountain trail is technical, involving some secured climbing passages, but overall it is easily doable with some alpine experience – most passages are a real joy to run. Alternatively, it is possible to tackle the entire 21km-long ridge to Hittisau and circle back via public transport.

Facing challenging weather conditions, I took the chairlift up to Mittagberg, which starts the run at the very beginning of the Nagelfluhkette, with fantastic views of the picturesque town of Immenstadt. On the short stretch to the peak one encounters the first of many of the famed beauties of the region: Allgäu cattle.
The following steep ascent to Steineberg culminates in a 14-meter-high, sturdy steel ladder. The climb up is not very difficult, but can trigger vertigo and should be avoided in wet conditions – an alternative path to the right avoids the climb.

The trail levels out and a fantastic 10km passage from peak to peak ranges from flowy to moderately technical, with the occasional secured, easy climbing passage. Following the high ridge, the path is narrow, but mostly feels safe to run, and offers stunning views in all directions.
It is, however, very exposed and wind and rain in the changing weather conditions of the day were quite challenging – allow for plenty of time.

After the final peak of our loop, Gündleskopf, the trail descends into the valley across deeply green meadows.
An alternative route continues on along the ridge on technical trails, which makes for a very challenging variant.

Wide forest tracks follow the clear Weißach stream with Alpe Unteregg offering food and drink, if you want to take a break. A final, gentle ascent crosses over to Steigbachtal, where a trail follows the creek along a series of magnificent waterfalls, before it turns back to the bottom of the Mittagberg chairlift.