Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 46.97065°N / 10.33436°E |
Elevation: | 9423 ft / 2872 m |
Greitspitze (or Greitspitz) is located in the Samnaun Group and is sometimes called the home mountain of the famous ski resort Ischgl. Greitspitze is famous for its huge summit cross, which can be seen from far away. The mountain is located on the border between Austria and Switzerland and offers great views from the summit. You can see the Otztal Alps with Wildspitze and Weisskugel, the Silvretta Group with fluchthorn, The other Samnaun Group peaks like Stammerspitz and Muttler and the Ferwall Group with Kuchenspitze and Hoher Riffler.
Climbing Greitzpitz can be done all year long. In winter it is just a small side trip from the skiing slopes. The summit ridge is equipped with steel cables making the summit quite easy to reach. In summer there are multiple hiking trails leading to the base of Greitspitz. From the base of the summit block follow the ridge with the fixed cables to the summit, which you will reach shortly after. Personally, I would recommend Climbing Greitspitz in winter, since the mountain is surrounded by the ski facilities of Ischgl. In summer this is not a pretty sight to say the least.
Another variation for Climbing Greitspitz is the Via Ferrata / Klettersteig that leads along the North-West Face to the summit. This Via Ferrata is relatively short (120 vertical meter elevation gain), but quite difficult. The route is graded C/D.
Climbing Greitspitz is fairly easy. All hiking paths leading to the base of the mountain are graded T2, T3 at maximum and the short part from the base of the summit block to the summit cross is graded T3+ at max. The fixed cables can be used with Via Ferrata equipment, but this is not really neccessary. This section is short and easy, just a bit airy.
The actual summit of Greitspitz is not the summit with the large summit cross, it is located just south of the summit cross, but holds a top station of the Ischgl ski facilities. This real summit is a few meters higher. Still, if you want to climb Greitspitz, the summit that holds the summit cross is the main objective for most people. Although surrounded by all these ski facilities, especially in winter, Climbing Greitspitz can be rewarding because of its summit views and the presence of the immense and beautiful summit cross.
The Starting point for climbing Visnitzkopf is either Ischgl or Samnaun. You can use the ski lift facilities in summer and in winter to reach the base of this mountain.
There are 3 ways to get to Ischgl from Germany:
-First of all take the A7 in Germany or the A95 heading south. Then on the Fernpassbundesstraße (B179) via Imst and Landeck, on the A12 motorway and continue on the S16 (Arlberg clearway) to the Pians exit. From here it is 20 kilometers on the main Silvretta road (B 188) to Ischgl.
-First of all take the A 93 in Germany heading for Innsbruck. Then take the Inntal motorway in Austria (A 12) via Kufstein, Innsbruck and Landeck on the S 16 (Arlberg clearway) to the Pians exit. From here it is 20 kilometres on the main Silvretta road (B 188) to Ischgl.
-First of all take the A96 heading for Lindau in Austria on the A 14. Then continue via Bregenz, Feldkirch and through the Arlberg tunnel on the S16 to the Pians exit.= From here it is 20 kilometres on the main Silvretta road (B 188) to Ischgl. In summer you can also exit the motorway in Bludenz and get to Ischgl via the Silvretta high Alpine road.
Getting to Ischgl from Switzerland:
-First of all take the A 3 to Feldkirch or the A 1 to Lustenau and Dornbirn. Then in Austria take the A 14 toward Innsbruck and continue through the Arlberg tunnel on the S 16 to the Pians exit. From here it is 20 kilometres on the main Silvretta road (B 188) to Ischgl. In summer you can also exit the motorway in Bludenz and get to Ischgl via the Silvretta high Alpine road.
Title: Swisstopo Map Ischgl
ISBN-13: 978-3302011592
Scale: 1:25.000
ISBN-13: 978-3854910480
Scale: 1:50.000