Zuckerhütl

The demure one - Seven Summits Stubai

It is not without reason that the highest mountain in the Stubai Alps has the name it does. If you take a look at the summit from the east, you will understand why it is called Zuckerhütl (German term for sugarloaf), a brave pyramidal peak, like a sugarloaf on the one side, charming from the other; cool and denying, rocky and rough on the next side. The Zuckerhütl reigns over the region. The highest mountain of the Stubai valley is positioned at the border to South Tyrol, but yet is still solely on North Tyrolean territory. Despite its impressive height of 3,507 meters above sea level, the Zuckerhütl is a rather conservative mountain, however even it is not a ”walk in the park”. Above all, it is the climb to the peak that can pose challenging.

A well-deserved reward

You must only cast a glance from the west, towards the south, and then to the east to know why it is worth making the effort to ascend the highest peak of the Seven Summits. Not only are there the Dolomites, which sparkle in the sun, but also the Zillertal Alps that smile back at you. Next to them, the Hohe Tauern mountain range with the Großglockner and the Großvenediger (Great Venetian) present themselves, and the Ötztal Alps as well as the Karwendel mountain range send their greetings. These mountains welcome you heartily.

Safe protection

In 1863 Joseph Anton Specht, one of the first mountaineers in the Alps with numerous first ascents, started together with the most qualified mountain guides of the Stubai valley, Alois Tanzer and
Pankraz Gleinser, the ascent from the south side of the Schaufelnieder across the Pfaffenjoch and the Pfaffenschneide to the peak of the 3,507 meter high Zuckerhütl. Some years then passed before mountaineers regularly summited the Zuckerhütl, thanks to the work of the Austrian and the German Alpine Associations. In 1875, the first alpine hut in the Stubai valley, the Dresdner Hütte, was built. Experienced mountain shepherds, chamois hunters and mountain guides also played a considerable role in the development of the mountain.

Seven Summits - Zuckerhütl

Route Length
11.77 km
Route Time Total
06:00 h
altitude meters uphill
727 hm
altitude meters downhill
1597 hm
highest point
3495 hm
Difficulty
Hard
Stamina
5/6
Skill
5/6
Puplic transport:
From the Olympic city of Innsbruck you reach the Stubai valley via the Brenner motorway ( Europe Bridge ) , exit Schönberg - continue to Neustift - Mutterberg, bottom station Schaufeljochbahn, Stubai Glacier
Trip to by car:
The starting point of this tour is the top station of the Schaufeljoch cable car at Stubai glacier. To get there, take the Eisgrat cable car (first ascent at 8 am) to the top and then switch to the Schaufeljoch cable car.
Parking:
Numerous free parking spaces are provided at the mountain base station of the Stubai glacier.
Starting point:
Mountain station Schaufeljochbahn, Stubai Glacier (3,170 m a.s.l.)
End Point:
Dresdner Hütte
Road quality:
Characteristics: High mountain route including glacier-climbing passages (UIAA II –2nd level on the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation scale), full safety equipment mandatory (rope, crampons, etc.), very good orientation needed in case of foggy conditions, knowledge about rescue measurements out of crevasses needed as well. We recommend that people without high mountain experience go with a certified mountain guide. Experience in hiking and appropriate fitness is also required when going with a guided tour.
Best Season:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Altitude Profile

There is lots going on in the Stubai

Our new Newsletter will keep you informed of all the news in the valley, even when you are not on holiday here.