A knife-edge ridge runs from the Great Riffelwandspitze in a southwesterly direction to the Zugspitze.

The ridge of the Riffelwandkamm joins the Little Riffelwandspitze to the Waxensteinkamm passing over the Riffeltorkopf.

The most suitable base for an ascent over the south face is the Höllentalanger Hut (1,381 m).

The easiest route to the Little Riffelwandspitze runs from the col of Riffelscharte and the Riffeltorkopf up steep Schroffen and gullies to the top (climbing grade I (UIAA)).

The Great Riffelwandspitze was first climbed on 2 August 1866 via the east ridge by F. Resch and C. Sam.