Mountain ranges / Otztal Alps / Wildspitze

Wildspitze

Country: Austria

Mountain range: Otztal Alps

Altitude: 3768 m

Lat/Lon:

46,88525°N 10,86723°E

Type: peak

Weather forecast:

Views: 3.400

Popularity: 33% (2261. place)

Number of pictures: 7

Number of trails: 1

Number of GPS tracks: 0

Description of peak:
At 3,768 (still 3,770 on some maps) metres, Wildspitze is the highest mountain in the Ötztal Alps, the highest peak lying entirely in Tyrol and the mountain with the fourth highest topographic prominence in the Alps. The double-peaked mountain is represented by its southern (nowadays main) and northern peaks. Unlike the southern peak, the northern peak, which has long been considered the higher peak, has a permanent snow cap; the melting of the snow has given the southern head the upper hand, lowering the height of the mountain by a few metres. The North Peak, whose current altitude is around 3765 m, is less visited nowadays, but is more visible from most of the Eastern Alps.

The summit was first successfully climbed in 1848, almost 50 years after the first ascent of Austria's highest peak, the Großglockner, which is only 30 m higher. The mountain is situated above vast glaciers in the middle of the still glacier-intensive Alps, and all approaches to it are long and arduous, requiring full glacier equipment and experience.

Nevertheless, as befits one of Austria's most famous and prestigious mountains, Wildspitze receives a considerable number of visitors throughout the year. The topography of the peak and the attractive world that surrounds it offer a wide view, limited in clear weather only by the curvature of the land: the view over the vast Taschachferner glacier takes us towards the northern groups of the Ötztal Alps and the Northern Limestone Alps, while to the south the Dolomites is revealed far behind the peaks above the Vent, and there are also beautiful views towards the High Tauern, Stubai Alps, Ortler and the Bernina Group.