Hoher Burgstall, the convincing one

Seven Summit at the Schlick 2000

Of medium height and shapely - that may be true of several mountains in the Stubai Alps. With this peak, however, it is the inconspicuousness that provides surprises. At Hoher Burgstall, many mountaineers may think that they won't discover much new here, because the summit is the easiest of all the Seven Summits to climb. But this panoramic mountain at the south-western end of the Kalkkögel will prove alpinists wrong. As a mighty limestone massif on primary rock, the Hohe Burgstall shows most convincingly of all the diversity behind the Stubai Mountains and provides not only exciting views, but also diverse insights.

First impression
In good weather and with good visibility, the Hohe Burgstall offers a unique 360-degree panorama from its summit, from the Karwendel over the Zillertal Alps and the mountains of the Gschnitztal to the glaciers around the Zuckerhütl and the Franz Senn Hut.

Great men
Sir Edmund Hillary, first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, marked his first summit in the Alps four years earlier by conquering the Hoher Burgstall. But Franz Senn's connection with alpinism in the Stubai is much stronger.

 

Start: Schlick 2000 mountain station, Kreuzjoch (2.136 m)
Destination: Hoher Burgstall (2.611 m)
Walking time: ↑ 3 h ↓ 3 h
Height difference: 500 m
Refreshment stops: Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch (2.136 m), Sennjochhütte (2.225 m), Starkenburger Hütte (2.237 m), Froneben Alm (1.350 m)

ASCENT:
From the Kreuzjoch mountain station, hike along the leisurely ascending panorama trail in the direction of Starkenburger Hütte. After the Sennjoch hut, follow the signs to Hoher Burgstall. The trail leads up over the ridge, branches off to the right and passes under the south face of the Niederer Burgstall. The trail then leads through a well-secured rock gully and winds its way up to the summit of Hoher Burgstall, the last passage directly over the rocky ridge. The ascent takes about 2 hours.    

DESCENT:
The descent is via the south side of the summit to the Starkenburger Hütte (2,237 m). From the hut, the trail climbs approx. 300 m back to the Schlick 2000 mountain station. Alternatively, the descent can be made to the Kaserstattalm (1890 m) and from there on to the Froneben Alm (1,350 m) at the Schlick 2000 middle station.