Austria's highest mountain stands on the border between East Tyrol and Carinthia. The beautifully shaped Grossglockner rises up from the core zone of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Its ascent is prestigious and is reserved for experienced mountaineers. On the 6-day "Glocknerkrone" hike, the Glockner can be marvelled at from different angles.
The Wildspitze is our beauty in white. All year round it shines far beyond the Ötztal Alps with its eternal snow dress, especially to the north. The Taschach and Mittelbergferner form a magnificent glacier veil. As a popular high-altitude and ski tour destination, Tyrol's second highest peak is well frequented all year round and firmly anchored in the repertoire of Ötztal and Pitztal mountain guides. Those who find the ascent too challenging can take the Wildspitzbahn cable car up to the Hinterer Brunnenkogel and admire the most beautiful side of the Wildspitze from there.
The Serles is perhaps Tyrol's most popular mountain. Located between the Stubaital and Wipptal valleys, the rock pyramid cannot be overlooked from many places around Innsbruck and the Europabrücke bridge. Numerous myths and legends surround the Serles. The - well - truly legendary panoramic view from the summit, which is easily accessible for experienced climbers, attracts many mountaineers. If you want to see the Serles from halfway up, you will find box seats in the area around the Koppeneck and the Eulenwiese.
The Grosser Rettenstein simply stands out in the Kitzbühel Alps. As a simultaneously delicate and chunky rock block, it stands out from the other, less striking grass mountains in the Kitzbühel Alps - a real outsider. Some recognise a flame in its shape, others a cake, others a castle. The Rettenstein is always in view on a hike to the Spießnägel, which can even be crowned with an ascent of the Rettenstein itself, provided you are sure-footed.
One mountain always pushes its way into the foreground of summit panoramas above the Wipptal and Unterinntal valleys and stands out: the Olperer. Its presence, its height, its even pyramid shape on the Zillertal side and the characteristic ice hump on the Wipptal side make the Olperer a Tyrolean showpiece mountain. In winter, it is an eye-catcher during a day's skiing on the Hintertux Glacier, while in summer the Peter Habeler Circuit leads practically around the Olperer. The Padauner Kogel offers a quickly reached dream view of the Olperer.
Okay, the Wilder Kaiser is not a mountain, but an entire mountain range. But we are happy to make an exception for the "Koasa". Because the sum of the jagged limestone ensemble is simply even more beautiful than its individual parts. The highest peak is the Ellmauer Halt. The north faces are famous among climbers. The Kaiser's skyline stands out from the surroundings from all directions. The most popular alpine TV series in the world is set at its feet: the Wilder Kaiser is a star of the Tyrolean mountains. The most beautiful "meet & greet" is perhaps this three-day tour. For a view of the great north faces, we recommend the exciting ridge tour via Feldberg and Stripsenkopf.
The next cheat number, because the Kalkkögel are allowed to compete in their entire group size. Similar to the Wilder Kaiser, in this case the mountain group does not want to be separated into its individual parts. The Kalkkögel between the Stubaital and the Sellrain mountains are often referred to as the "North Tyrolean Dolomites", a reference to their wildly rugged appearance. Such formations are not often found in Tyrol, which makes their appearance so special. You can take a real postcard picture with the limestone peaks as the defining element at Lake Salfainssee. The view from the Schlick side in the Stubai Valley is not bad either.
The Großvenediger is a sublime glacier and firn giant that exceeds the dimensions of the Austrian Eastern Alps peaks. Together with its satellites Kleinvenediger, Hohes Aderl, Rainerhorn and Hoher Zaun, it forms an extensive glacier massif. The Großvenediger is a beautifully shaped pyramid that rises one storey higher from the icy foundations. Beautiful views of the second highest peak in the Hohe Tauern can be enjoyed from the Dreiseenrunde and the Messeling, or from the Lasnitzenhütte in Virgental, a visit to which can easily be combined with the Muhs Panorama Trail.
At first glance, the Brandberger Kolm seems unconquerable. That's how steep and sharp the rocky cone rises above Brandberg in the Zillertal. The closer you get to the summit, the more inviting it becomes to sure-footed mountaineers. Its conical shape is at its most beautiful on the way from Brandberg to the Brandberger Kolmhaus. And if you're already there, you might as well take up the invitation to climb to the summit. The view is at least as beautiful as its appearance.
There is the real Matterhorn and mountains that are called the Matterhorn. Because they are similarly pointed, striking and aesthetically shaped. We have to admit that even our Matterhorn doesn't come close to the iconic shape of the original. But - the Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze is certainly the most beautiful of the Matterhorn wannabes. From the valley basin of Ehrwald and Lermoos, it already cuts a fine figure. However, the Sonnenspitze only reveals the most Matterhorn-like view to those who make a little more effort and set off from the Coburger Hütte in the direction of the Vorderer Drachenkopf.
Okay, and the next mountain that sometimes has to endure the unfair comparison with the Matterhorn. But the Patteriol is much more than just a cheap copy. It is perhaps the most versatile model among our candidates: Striking and perfectly formed from all sides. Most impressive from the north, from where the Patteriol protects the Verwall valley like a watchtower. If you want to see the Patteriol from all sides, you can stay at the Konstanzer Hütte for a whole weekend. Once there, choose the following recommended three-course menu for the best Patteriol views: Hike towards Gstansjöchl; climb the Scheibler; hike to the Scheidseen and the Langen See.
Wow, what a wall! And what a contrast to its lovely foundation. Gloomy, dark, forbidding, infinitely high and wide, the Laliderer Walls rise above the alpine meadows in the heart of the Karwendel. These contrasts are typical of the Karwendel mountains, but they are at their most impressive on the Laliderer Wänden. On a round tour to the Falkenhütte through the Laliderer Tal and Johannistal valleys, you first approach the walls in awe. Right at the foot of the wall, you stretch your neck upwards in disbelief and finally leave with a rucksack full of Karwendel impressions.
The Freispitze can carry anything and always looks top-styled: Green steep grass slopes, walls of light-coloured limestone or sweeping flanks of spotted marl. The fashion designers of the Alps have been particularly creative here and have created an unusual work of art from colours and shapes. This will amaze not only geologists but also mountaineers. The best view is from the area around the Memminger Hütte, where the Freispitze checks out its outfit in the mirror of the Seewiese.
The Hochvogel comes closest to challenging the Serles for the title of "Tyrol's most beautiful rock pyramid". Starting from the summit, the Hochvogel spreads out with two stony wings and dominates the area between Lechtal and Allgäu. As sublime and mighty as the Hochvogel appears, it is also fragile. For years, experts have been predicting a massive rockfall on the Hochvogel, which could leave a huge scar on its beautiful face. A hike to the Kaufbeurer Haus self-catering hut and the third stage of the Grenzgänger long-distance hiking trail along the Jubiläumsweg are our tips for a bird-watching tour with a difference.
Watzespitze, Verpeilspitze, Schwabenkopf, Gsallkopf, Dristkogel, Rofelewand: who will Team Kaunergrat send into the race for the most beautiful mountain in Tyrol? A difficult decision with this collection of beautifully shaped and wild rocky peaks. In the end, we decide in favour of the Rofelewand as the Kaunergrat representative. The wall-like north face and the tower-like views from the west and east make the Rofelewand a real eye-catcher between Kaunertal and Pitztal. The Rofelewand cannot be overlooked on a round tour via Tiefentalalm, Rosskopf and Rappenkopf or from the St. Leonharder Höhenweg on the other side of the Pitztal between Schoaßkogel and Luibisalm.
