Overview
geographical classification: Eastern Alps > Hohe Tauern > Granatspitze Group > Muntanitz
view from Kals
Muntanitz is the highest mountain of the Granatspitze Group which is a part of the Hohe Tauern range in Austria and fills the gap between the well-known Venediger Group and Glockner Group. The name of the group refers to the Granatspitze, which has only a height of 3088 m, but is situated in the center of the group where the two main ridges meet. Muntanitz is about 6 km south of it. It can be seen from the village of Kals am Grossglockner, but it doesn't look very impressive because the nearer Kendlspitze has a sharper shape.
Muntanitz consists of two summits: the "Kleiner (=little) Muntanitz", 3192 m, and the "Großer (=big) Muntanitz", 3232 m. The normal route touches both peaks. It is easy to climb, the only exposed section is the descent from the Kleiner Muntanitz, where an iron cable helps through a little, mostly wet chimney. So hikers often stay at the Kleiner Muntanitz.
Combined with the long hiking routes from the cablecars above Kals or Matrei and with staying one or two nights at the cosy Sudentdeutsche Hütte hut, you will have some nice days in the mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Being the highest mountain between Grossglockner and Grossvenediger, the mountain offers great views to these main mountains of Austria #1 and #4.
The first ascent was done by Arthur von Schmid with guide Thomas Groder on September 2nd 1871, directly from Kals
Getting There
normally you will climb the mountain from the villages either Matrei in Osttirol or Kals am Grossglockner. both are in
East Tyrol.
Matrei is situated at the Felbertauern road (connects Kitzbuehel and Lienz) south of the Felbertauern tunnel. Kals is situated east of this main road that you leave at the village Huben.
nearest train station is Lienz. From there there are public busses to Kals and Matrei.
An access via the Silesia Hoehenweg hiking trail would start at the Rudofshuette alpine center. This is to reach from the Stubachtal valley (village
Uttendorf) in upper Salzburg.
Camping
There is an official campyard in the valley at Matrei:
Camping Edengarten, Familie Steiner, A-9971 Matrei, Edenweg
Tel. ++43/4875/5111, Fax. ++43/4875/5111
At the mountain itself camping is not necessary because of the ideal position of the Sudetendeutsche Huette hut.
Sudetendeutsche Huette (2650 m)
The
Sudetendeutsche Huette hut (2650 m) is the main basis for the climb. This is a very recommendable hut. It has been renewed in recent years and has now obtained an award for standards concerning the environment.
The hut is guided from end of June to end of September. Outside these times access to a "winter room" is possible and no special key necessary
phone numer of the hut when guided: +43 (0)4875 6466
homepage (in german) with many infos, pictures and links.
marked trails to the hut are
a) from the village Kals. Highest possible starting point is the top of the cablecars at the Rossbichl, 2302 m. 3,5 h walk
b) from Matrei. Starting point is the top of the cablecars at the Goldried, 2150 m. 5 h walk along the "Sudetendeutsche Hoehenweg" hiking trail
c) from the hamlet Glanz (1545 m) above Matrei (parking). 4 h
d) from the Felbertauernstrasse road at the "Felbertauernstüberl" inn (1160 m), meets route c) at Steiner Alm pasture (1909 m): 4,5 h
e) from the Felbertauernstrasse road at "Landecksäge" (ca. 1400 m) 4,5 h along the "
Dr. Karl Jirsch Weg" trail. 4,5 h (very steep!)
f) from the Rudolfshuette (2315 m, to be reached by cablecar from the Stubach valley, Enzingerboden, along the "Silesia Hoehenweg" trail, crossing the main ridge of the Alps at the Kalser Tauern pass (2518 m), 7 h
here you can find an overview map of the hiking possibilities
normal route
This is a marked hiking trail ("Karl-Schoettner-Weg"). It leads from the Sudetendeutsche Huette hut to the south west ridge of the mountain that you reach at the Wellachkoepfe (2960 m). Following the path left of the ridge you climb the fore-summit Kleiner Muntanitz (3192 m), 2 h from the hut.
An iron cable helps to get down through a chimney to the pass Kampl (3129 m), then it is again easy to the summit. 1/2 h in addition, so in total 2,5 h from the hut.
(see also
Bor's route page)
other routes
other routes are not common. There are:
- south east ridge, UIAA II. 2,5 h from Sudetendeutsche Huette hut. The ridge is to enter above the "Muntanitz-Balfen"
- north west ridge, UIAA II-. 1 h to climb, but 4 h approach from the Felbertauern road via Kessler Alm
- north east face, called "Loameswand", UIAA IV (?) infamous because of it's very bad rock quality
- there used to be a route over the Gradoetz glacier directly to the pass between Kleiner and Grosser Muntanitz. But there is not much ice left, so this cannot be recommended any more.
When To Climb
end of June to end of September is the best time. At his time the Sudendeutsche Huette hut is guided and provides beds and meals. An ascent with ski would be possible from March to May but it is not common because the access to the hut is not safe and the hut is not guided.
summit views
placed between Grossglockner and Grossvenediger Muntanitz is a very fine lookout mountain
Red Tape
No permits, No summit fees. You are in the Hohe Tauern National Park but climbing activity isn't restricted.
Mountain Conditions
weather report in german from austrian alpine club
maps and books
The normal route is marked with red spots. So a simple hiking map (common are those from Kompass or Freytag&Berndt) is sufficient. The best map available is the one from the german alpine club, "Alpenvereinskarte Nr. 38 Granatspitzgruppe", new edition 2002, available at
amazon.de
online map available at
www.austrianmap.at
other pctures
that do not fit to the other sections ore that are too similar are stored here