A solo climber plunged to his death from a 5,000-foot mountain peak moments after sharing a selfie at the top with his family and friends.

Hiker Daniel Osterloh, 40, disappeared minutes after taking the snap on the summit of Corna di Meghe, a rugged and treacherous peak above Lake Idro in the Italian Alps.

Friends contacted the emergency services after German national Daniel stopped responding to messages and calls on 4th June.

Daniel Osterloh poses in undated photo. He fell from the summit of Corna di Meghe, a rugged area in the territory of Anfo (Brescia), Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)

His body was found the next day in a gully more than 300 feet down from where he had taken the picture.

A pal staying with the climber at a nearby campsite in Baitoni, Trentino province, had raised the alarm when he could not contact Daniel.

Mountain rescue teams, helicopters and police searched all night for him but did not spot his body until the following morning.

Friends described Daniel as a passionate athlete who had recently completed the Dusseldorf half marathon.

Daniel Osterloh poses in undated photo. He fell from the summit of Corna di Meghe, a rugged area in the territory of Anfo (Brescia), Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)

He had worked in the financial sector for the industrial machinery manufacturers SMS Group since his graduation from the University of Cologne.

Although the Public Prosecutor's Office in Brescia has opened a sudden death case, no further investigation is expected.

Daniel's body has already been released to his family for a funeral in Germany.

The area where Daniel plunged to his death is known for its isolation and difficulty and recommended only for expert hikers.

(MJ Leidig / newsX)