Because the definition of a mountain is not universally agreed upon, a distinction is made between main summits and other peaks. Subsidiary summits or subpeaks are not counted. In the Alps a summit is classed as independent, according to the UIAA definition, if it has a prominence of 30 metres (98 ft) or more. In order for a peak to qualify as an independent mountain, however, it must have a prominence of at least 300 metres (980 ft).[1] Based on this definition only the main summits of entire mountain massifs are counted. All elevations with a prominence below 30 metres (98 ft) are considered as subpeaks.[2]
By these definitions, the highest mountains in Germany are the Zugspitze (2,962 m or 9,718 ft), Hochwanner (2,746 m or 9,009 ft) and Watzmann (Middle Peak, 2,713 m or 8,901 ft). If all independent summits are counted, the Zugspitze is followed by the Schneefernerkopf (2,875 m or 9,432 ft) and the Middle Wetterspitze (2,747 m or 9,012 ft) in places two and three. Both are however, part of the Zugspitze massif and lie relatively close to the summit of the Zugspitze itself.
The highest mountain which lies entirely on German soil is the Watzmann with a height of 2,713 metres (8,901 ft), followed by the Hochkalter (2,607 m or 8,553 ft), the Großer Daumen (2,280 m or 7,480 ft) and the Höfats (2,259 m or 7,411 ft). Likewise fully on German territory, but considerably less independent, are the Middle Höllentalspitze (2,742 m) and the Hochblassen (2,703 m).
A majority of the summits were verifiably climbed in the 19th century; the Watzmann and Hoher Göll for example as early as 1800. The Zugspitze was officially climbed for the first time in 1820. However, there are many peaks of which it is suspected had been climbed in earlier times by unknown climbers.
Because the borders of Germany have often changed during the course of the centuries, there were different "highest mountains" in the past. For example, during the time of the Holy Roman Empire up to 1806, the Ortler in present-day South Tyrol, at 3,905 m (12,812 ft), was the highest German mountain. During the colonial period to 1918 Mount Kilimanjaro in the colony of German East Africa, at 5,895 m (19,341 ft), was officially the highest mountain of the German Reich. During the Nazi era from 1938 to 1945 this title went to the Großglockner which, at 3,797 m (12,457 ft), is today the highest mountain in Austria.
Key
Ranking: The ranking of the peak within Germany in terms of height.
Photograph: Photograph of the mountain.
Peak: Name of the peak.
Height: Height of the mountain in metres.
Mountain range: Mountain range in which the mountain lies.
Massif: (table 1) Gives the name of the massif to which the mountain belongs. If the massif is named after a linked main peak, the link is omitted here.
Location: (table 2) DE = mountain lies entirely on German territory; DE/AT = mountain lies in the area of the border between Germany and Austria, but the peak at least is on German state territory.
Isolation: The isolation describes the radius of the area which the mountain dominates. Given in kilometres including the reference point.
Prominence: The prominence is the height difference between height of the summit and the highest point to which one must descend in order to climb a higher peak. Given in metres including the reference point.
First climb: Name of the first climber and date. Empty field indicates that the first climber or the date is not known.
There may be differences in data from other sources. The tables use the tables of the German height reference system, based on height above Normalnull (~sea level) in Amsterdam, and data from the Bavarian Survey Office (Bayerischen Vermessungsverwaltung).[3]
The highest summits
Table 1 below shows the 30 highest independent summits in Germany. A summit or peak requires a prominence of over 30 metres (98 ft) in order to count as independent.
By clicking on the symbols at the head of the table the individual columns may be sorted.
1 First recorded climb. Historic maps from the 18th century suggest that the Zugspitze had already been climbed before 1770.[5]
2 Year of the first complete crossing of the Jubiläums arête.
3 Exact value unknown as no survey has been carried out. Estimate based on contours from a topographical map.
4 First recorded climb. It is possible that it had been climbed during survey work in 1818 or work by a border commission in 1835
5 As part of a survey
The highest mountains
Table 2 below shows the 21 highest mountains in Germany. A mountain is considered to be the main summit of a massif if its prominence is more than 300 metres (980 ft).
By clicking the symbols at the head of the table the individual column may be sorted.
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