Location and surroundings
Daniel belongs to the mountain chain Central European Highlands > Alps > Eastern Alps > Northeastern Alps > Bavarian Alps > Ammergau Alps. It lies in Austria, in Tyrol, within the municipality of Lermoos and the district of Bezirk Reutte. At 2,340 m it is the highest of 311 named peaks in the Ammergau Alps, and it sits above the settlements on the northern side of the range.
The mountain rises from a high Alpine landscape of ridges, passes and grassy-to-rocky slopes. Its north face is about 200 m high, while the south side is described as more schrofen-like, meaning broken and rocky terrain. The summit area is close to the borderland character of the range, with Austria and Germany both represented in the Ammergau Alps.
Neighbouring peaks
Daniel stands among several close neighbours, with the most important being the almost equally high Upsspitze. The summit ridge between them is the key connection on the normal ascent. Nearby passes and peaks include:
- Büchsentaljoch (mountain pass), 2,069 m, 0.2 km east
- Upsspitze (peak), 2,332 m, 0.5 km west
- Hochschrutte (peak), 2,247 m, 3.2 km northwest
- Spitzbrand (peak), 1,415 m, 4.1 km north
- Pitzenegg (peak), 2,174 m, 4.4 km west
- Törle (peak), 1,346 m, 4.4 km northeast
- Die Törlen (peak), 1,346 m, 4.4 km northeast
- Spiess (peak), 1,416 m, 5.5 km northwest
Compared with these neighbours, Daniel is the dominant summit in the immediate area, higher than all listed nearby peaks except the slightly lower Upsspitze.
The view from the summit
From the top of Daniel, the main high mountains within 25 km are concentrated to the east and south-east. The most prominent sightline is toward the Zugspitze massif, with Zugspitze itself 8.1 km east. Other high peaks in range include Wetterspitzen 7.7 km south-east, Hochplattig 12.0 km south-east, Hochwanner 13.8 km east, Pirchkogel 24.0 km south, and Rietzer Grieskogel 24.8 km south-east.
These distances show that Daniel is set on the northern side of a high Alpine group, with the larger Wetterstein and Mieming mountains visible across the surrounding valleys and ridges. The summit is a good point for reading the structure of the northern Limestone Alps.
The range
Daniel belongs to the Ammergau Alps, a range that spans Austria and Germany. The range high point is Daniel itself, so the summit is also the highest peak of the whole group. The Ammergau Alps contain 311 named peaks, and Daniel ranks first by elevation among them.
This makes Daniel the reference summit for the range rather than just one peak among many. Its position near the northern edge of the Austrian Alps gives it importance both as a local high point and as a marker for the broader Ammergau ridge system.
Climbing routes
The normal ascent is a mountain tour from the south, usually starting at Lermoos. The route goes via Tuftlalm and Upsspitze to the summit. According to the literature, the ascent takes about 4 hours, and the descent back over Upsspitze, Grünen Ups and Tuftlalm to Lermoos takes about 2.5 hours.
The route is described as easy overall, but the summit ridge between Daniel and Upsspitze requires sure-footedness. That makes the final section more serious than a simple hiking path, especially in wet, icy or windy conditions.
Access and starting points
The most practical starting points are Lermoos, Ehrwald and Biberwier, all on the south side of the mountain. From the summit area, Lermoos station is 3.0 km south, Lermoos village 3.8 km south, Ehrwald 4.8 km south-east, and Biberwier 5.7 km south. The nearest public transport stop listed is Lermoos station.
For water and shelter, OpenStreetMap shows drinking water 1.7 km north-east of the summit, a shelter 1.7 km north-east, and Tuftlalm 1.9 km south. These points help with route planning, but the approach still involves a substantial height gain from the valley floor.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is cold for much of the year. The warmest month is July, with a mean temperature of about 8 °C at the summit, while January is the coldest month at about -8 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing at summit level are typical from May through October.
The surrounding area receives about 1,350 mm of precipitation a year. August is the wettest month at about 180 mm, and February is the driest at about 70 mm. In this part of the Alps, the main hazards are rapid weather changes, summer thunderstorms, poor visibility in cloud, and snow or ice lingering on upper slopes outside the warmest months.
Best time to visit
For a climb of Daniel, the most suitable period is usually late spring through early autumn, when summit temperatures are more likely to stay above freezing and the south-facing approach is less likely to hold snow. The months with mean temperatures above freezing at the summit are May, June, July, August, September and October.
Even in summer, the mountain can be affected by afternoon storms and wet rock, especially on the ridge and on the steeper upper sections. Earlier in the season, snow patches may remain on the route, so conditions should be checked carefully before setting out.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes around Daniel are typical of the northern Limestone Alps: lower down there are mountain meadows, forested slopes and alpine pastures, while higher up the terrain becomes rocky, broken and exposed. The summit area itself is above the tree line, so vegetation is sparse and adapted to wind, cold and thin soils.
Wildlife in this part of Tyrol commonly includes chamois, marmots and alpine birds, with larger animals using the quieter slopes and ridges.
Guides and organised ascents
For a straightforward summer ascent of Daniel, many experienced hikers go independently, but a certified mountain guide is sensible if snow, ice, poor visibility or uncertainty on the ridge are expected. In Austria, certified guiding is organised through the Association of Austrian Mountain and Ski Guides, which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the Austrian Alpine Club.
Examples of established guiding companies working in Austria include ASI Reisen (Alpinschule Innsbruck) in Innsbruck and the Kalser Bergführerverein in Kals am Großglockner. Guided outings usually depend on the length of the tour, group size, hut nights and equipment needs, and visitors often also ask local tourist offices in places such as Lermoos or Ehrwald.
Safety and preparation
Daniel is not a technical alpine climb in normal summer conditions, but it still demands mountain fitness, sure-footedness and the ability to handle a steep descent after a long ascent. The ridge section near the summit is the key place where slips become more serious, especially when the rock is wet or icy. Carry suitable footwear, layers for wind and cold, and enough food and water for a full day.
For mountain rescue in Austria, the emergency number is 140; 112 also works. Because weather can change quickly and mobile reception is not guaranteed in every hollow, it is wise to download maps before starting and to tell someone your route and return plan.
History and name
The mountain is known simply as Daniel, and the name is used for the summit and the double-peak formation with Upsspitze. The sources describe it as the highest summit of the Ammergau Alps and note its long-established role as a route objective from Lermoos and the surrounding villages.
Its place in mountaineering literature is reflected by the standard ascent descriptions and map references for the area, which treat Daniel as a key summit in the western approach to the Zugspitze region.
Interesting facts
Daniel is the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps, and it ranks first among 311 named peaks in that range. Its prominence is 1,234 m, which makes it stand out clearly from the surrounding ridges. The nearest higher major summit in the wider area is Zugspitze, 8.1 km to the east.
Another notable fact is the double-summit character shared with Upsspitze, which lies only 0.5 km away and is just 8 m lower. That close pairing gives the mountain a ridge-top shape that is easy to recognise from the valleys below.
FAQ
How high is Daniel? Daniel is 2,340 m high.
Where is Daniel located? It is in Tyrol, Austria, in the municipality of Lermoos and the district of Bezirk Reutte, in the Ammergau Alps.
Is Daniel the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps? Yes. It is the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps and the highest of 311 named peaks in the range.
What peaks are closest to Daniel? The nearest listed neighbours are Büchsentaljoch 0.2 km east, Upsspitze 0.5 km west, and Hochschrutte 3.2 km north-west.
Is there water on the way to Daniel? A drinking-water point is mapped 1.7 km north-east of the summit, but on the mountain itself you should still carry enough for the day, usually about 1.5–3 litres depending on heat and route length.
How long does it take to climb Daniel from Lermoos? The normal route from Lermoos via Tuftlalm and Upsspitze is described as about 4 hours up, with about 2.5 hours for the descent back to Lermoos.
Will my phone work on Daniel? There are 14 mapped communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest 2.9 km east. On open ground a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. Emergency calls to 112 should work over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.