They are classified either as part of Bavarian Prealps or the larger chain of Northern Limestone Alps.
From the west it is bordered by the valley of the river Loisach and from the east by Walchensee lake and the valley of the river Isar.
The most important summits in the Ester range are the Krottenkopf (2,086 m), the Bischof (2,033 m), the Hohe Kisten (1,922 m), the Hoher Fricken (1,940 m) and the Simetsberg (1,836 m).
The climbs both from the Loisach valley as well as from Krün or Wallgau in the southeast are relatively long.
Most tourists and mountaineers are attracted to the nearby higher ranges Wetterstein, Karwendel and to the highest peak of Germany, the Zugspitze.