Gimpel-Labyrinth

Useful Information

Location:	Gimpel mountain, southern side ()
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	T=5 °C
Guided tours:	D=8 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Toni Freudig (1999): Klettern auf der Tannheimer Sonnenseite Pfronten. 1999, ISBN 3-9802639-3-2.
Address:
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History

1990	discovered by the mountain guide Toni Freudig.

Description

The Gimpel-Labyrinth is a cave located at the southern side of the mountain Gimpel. It was discovered by the mountaineer and mountain guide Toni Freudig. While the cave is actually not closed, it is hard to find and requires caving and climbing skills. There is a climb to the entrance, and a 15 m drop right behind the entrance. The cave was visited as part of cave tours led by Toni Freudig, who provided the necessary equipment and checked the fitness of the participants. Unfortunately, he died unexpectedly in 2017 at the age of 58, and to our knowledge, there have been no guided tours since then. The cave is, of course, freely accessible and is still regularly visited by mountaineers and climbers. However, while all trails are marked and there are numerous detailed guidebooks, the cave is not signposted and hard to find. Also, the tour is rather difficult and strenuous. We generally recommend visiting the cave only with a mountain guide.

The cave tour requires first a two-hour ascent to the foot of the southern side of the Gimpel. The last part of this ascent is without trails, participants need to be able to walk in difficult terrain beneath some physical fitness. Abseiling and basic climbing skills are required for a visit.

The Gimpel (2,176 m asl) is a mountain at the northern rim of the Alps. This part of the Alps is called nördliche Kalkalpen (northern limestone Alps) and belongs partly to Germany and partly to Austria. A little south of the border lies a range of mountains including Gimpel and Rote Flüh, which are frequented by mountaineers and walkers. The trails are rather easy, and there is a famous via ferrata called Friedberger Klettersteig. The whole area is a popular tourist destination.