Schreierkopf is a quiet secondary summit of the Kreuzkarspitze, rising above the remote head of the Hornbach valley in the Allgäu Alps. It's a great pick for hikers who want a genuine mountain experience without the crowds of the bigger peaks nearby.

The ridge carrying Schreierkopf separates two rugged cirques — the Schöneggerkar to the west and the Kreuzkar to the east. Built from brittle main dolomite, the summit has a raw, rocky character typical of the Hornbachkette range. In summer the surrounding slopes are peaceful and rarely crowded, with views opening across the neighboring ridgelines. In winter and early spring, the loose rock demands extra caution underfoot.

How to reach the summit

• From Hinterhornbach through the Hornbach valley to the Schöneggerkar cirque, then along faint paths to the saddle below Balschtespitze and on to the summit — an easy, non-technical route

Practical information

• The terrain is made of brittle main dolomite — take care, especially on the descent
• The ridge dips south into the Kreuzkarscharte (2125 m), which serves as the reference point for the peak's prominence

The name first appears as 'Schreyerkopf' in 1797 on Schmitt's map of southwestern Germany. It likely derives from the German verb 'schreien' — to shout — though why anyone shouted here remains a mystery.