The Großer Bärenkopf is surrounded by heavily crevassed glaciers. To the east, north and west lie the western and eastern Bärenkopfkees, which climb up to the summit; to the south is the Bockkarkees. Neighbouring peaks are the 3,425-metre-high Klockerin on the line of the north arête and separated by the col of Gruberscharte at a height of 3,080 metres; and the Hohe Dock at 3,348 metres on the line of the east arête, separated by the col of Dockscharte at 3,234 metres. To the south, on the far side of the Bockkarkees, lies the 3,115-metre-high Breitkopf. Along the west arête, separated by the Keilscharte saddle (3,187 m), lies the Mittlere Bärenkopf (Middle Bear's Head, 3,358 m) and roughly north of it the Schwarzköpfl with a height of 3,124 metres. The nearest significant settlements are Kaprun, about 9 kilometres as the crow flies to the north in the Pinzgau, and Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße, 11 kilometres to the northeast.