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The Nagelfluhkette is a mountain range located in Bavaria, Germany and Vorarlberg, Austria, bordering on the northern edge of the Allgäu Alps. It has a maximum altitude of 1,834 m above sea level. Its name derives from the rock type Nagelfluh. In older and geological literature, as well as in the local vernacular language, one also finds the term Hochgratkette.
The geotope Nagelfluhkette is the most extensive object of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, which was established on 1 January 2008.
The Nagelfluhkette is one of the last higher elevations of the Alps before further north the Alpine foothills of the Allgäu begin. In the north lies the valley of the west-flowing Weißach; in the southeast the Hörnergruppe rises beyond the valley of the northeast-flowing Aubach.
Priority objectives are the protection, care and development of nature and the diverse landscapes. Nature parks are relatively weak protection instruments, which primarily serve to harmonize the interests of nature conservation and local tourism. This part is located primarily in parts of the Bavarian Forest which are still in use, and not in the well-developed alpine area. In Vorarlberg – unlike in the other federal states of Austria – a nature park is not a legally protected area. The Nagefluhkette Nature Park is a voluntary commitment of the nature park communities themselves. Therefore, the park is (as of 5/2011) not a member of the Association of Nature Parks of Austria (VNÖ).
Shorter routes lead, for example, from the mountain station of the Mittagbahn over the Steineberg and Stuiben through the Steigbachtal back to Immenstadt. Another trail is the Maximiliansweg, which leads over the mountains Hochgrat, Rindalphorn, and Buralpkopf.
Well-secured and -signposted medium-length tours include the crossing of the entire eastern chain from Hochgrat to the Mittagberg (Nagelfluh-Gratwanderung), which follows the European long-distance hiking trails E4 and E5 at this stage, and the crossing of the western chain between Hochgrat and Falken (Luftiger Grat).
The Königstour, an entire crossing of the Nagelfluh from Mittagberg to Hochhädrich, is doable on a single day, provided the hiker is sportive and fit (length of the tour: about 8.5 hours, including breaks). In any case, the Staufner Haus of the German Alpine Club is available as an accommodation hut.
Slopes for skiers are located at Mittagberg, Hochgrat, Einguntkopf and Hochhädrich in Austria. Large parts of the Nagelfluh crossing are accessible as winter hikes with snowshoes or touring skis.
| Mittagberg (Mittag) | Germany | 1,451 m | Double chair lift "Mittagbahn" |
| Bärenköpfle | Germany | 1,463 m | |
| Steineberg | Germany | 1,683 m | |
| Steinköpfle | Germany | 1,669 m | |
| Stuiben | Germany | 1,749 m | |
| Sedererstuiben | Germany | 1,737 m | |
| Buralpkopf | Germany | 1,772 m | |
| Gündleskopf | Germany | 1,748 m | |
| Rindalphorn | Germany | 1,822 m | |
| Gelchenwanger Kopf | Germany | 1,805 m | |
| Hochgrat | Germany | 1,834 m | Hochgratbahn, Staufner Haus |
| Seelekopf | Germany | 1,663 m | |
| Hohenfluhalpkopf | Germany/Austria | 1,636 m | |
| Eineguntkopf | Germany/Austria | 1,641 m | |
| Falken(köpfe) | Germany/Austria | 1,564 m | Hut "Falkenhütte" (ca. 1450 m) |
| Hochhäderich (Hoher Häderich) | Germany/Austria | 1,565 m | Drag lift |
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