Hochwildstelle

Hochwildstelle | Hohe Wildstelle

🏔️ Overview

Hochwildstelle, also known as Hohe Wildstelle, is one of the most impressive mountains of Austria’s Schladming Tauern. Rising to 2,747 meters (9,012 feet) in the state of Styria, it is the second-highest summit of the Schladming Tauern, surpassed only by nearby Hochgolling.

Hochwildstelle has another distinction that gives it particular importance within Austria: it is the highest mountain located entirely within Styria. Higher Styrian summits such as Hoher Dachstein stand on state boundaries, while Hochwildstelle rises completely within Styrian territory.

The mountain is dramatically different from many of the broad, grassy summits associated with the Low Tauern. Its upper slopes form a rugged crystalline summit block with steep rock faces, narrow ridges and exposed scrambling. The sharp south ridge is particularly striking, descending toward the Wildlochscharte before continuing toward Himmelreich and the valleys surrounding the Preintalerhütte.

Despite its considerable elevation, Hochwildstelle is not glaciated. Instead, it rises above a remarkably water-rich landscape filled with alpine streams, waterfalls, high mountain lakes and grassy cirques. Approaches from the Seewigtal and Untertal valleys pass through some of the most beautiful lake-and-waterfall scenery in the Schladming-Dachstein region.

For experienced hikers and mountaineers, Hochwildstelle offers a classic combination of long approaches, exposed ridge travel, straightforward scrambling and far-reaching Alpine views.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	Europe
Country	Austria
State/Province	Styria
County/Region	Liezen District
Range	Schladming Tauern, Low Tauern, Alps
Parent Peak	Hochgolling
Elevation	2,747 m / 9,012 ft
Prominence	Approximately 475–486 m / 1,558–1,594 ft
Isolation	Approximately 9.2 km / 5.7 mi
NHN	Hochgolling
Coordinates	Approximately 47.3350° N, 13.8301° E
Highest Point of	Mountain entirely within Styria
Second-Highest Peak of	Schladming Tauern
Rock Type	Migmatitic paragneiss
First Recorded Ascent	1801 by M. Reiter and companions
Main Summit Routes	Northwest ridge via Neualmscharte; south ridge via Wildlochscharte

Published prominence figures differ slightly. Current Peakbagger search data gives approximately 475 meters, while PeakVisor and several Austrian-derived references use 486 meters. The difference reflects the elevation assigned to the mountain’s key col rather than any meaningful disagreement about the summit itself.

📍 Location

Hochwildstelle rises in Styria in central Austria, within the eastern portion of the Schladming Tauern. The mountain lies south of the Enns Valley and occupies a commanding position above the valleys surrounding Schladming, Aich and Michaelerberg-Pruggern.

The summit stands close to the meeting point of the municipalities of Aich, Michaelerberg-Pruggern and Schladming.

Geographically, the Schladming Tauern form part of the Low Tauern, or Niedere Tauern, themselves belonging to the Central Eastern Alps. Unlike the nearby Dachstein Mountains north of the Enns Valley, which consist mainly of pale limestone, the Schladming Tauern are dominated by much older crystalline rocks.

This geological contrast produces two remarkably different mountain landscapes within a relatively small area. North of the Enns, Hoher Dachstein rises from enormous limestone walls and karst plateaus. South of the valley, Hochwildstelle emerges from darker crystalline ridges surrounded by grassy basins, waterfalls and hundreds of alpine lakes.

The mountain’s north-to-south ridge separates several dramatic high valleys and cirques. The Seewigtal lies to the north and northeast, while the Riesach and Untertal landscapes extend toward the west and northwest.

📏 Elevation & Prominence

Hochwildstelle reaches 2,747 meters (9,012 feet) above sea level.

That makes it only about 115 meters lower than Hochgolling, which reaches 2,862 meters and forms the highest point of the Schladming Tauern.

Hochwildstelle is nevertheless a substantial independent mountain rather than simply a subsidiary summit. Its topographic isolation is approximately 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles), with Hochgolling serving as the nearest higher mountain.

Published prominence values vary somewhat. Peakbagger’s current database material places the mountain at approximately 475 meters (1,558 feet) of prominence, while PeakVisor and traditional references give approximately 486 meters (1,594 feet).

Either value indicates a significant mountain with a clearly defined summit massif.

Hochwildstelle’s geographical position also helps explain its superb views. Few nearby mountains rise substantially higher, leaving the summit with an exceptionally open panorama across the Low Tauern, Dachstein Mountains and other parts of the Eastern Alps.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Hochwildstelle is particularly interesting for understanding the difference between elevation and political high points. Hoher Dachstein is higher and partly Styrian, but its summit sits on the Upper Austria–Styria boundary. Hochwildstelle is the highest summit whose entire mountain top lies within Styria.

🪨 Geology

Hochwildstelle belongs to the crystalline heart of the Central Eastern Alps.

The summit area is commonly described as consisting largely of migmatitic paragneiss, a metamorphic rock very different from the limestone that forms the Dachstein Mountains immediately to the north.

Paragneiss begins as sedimentary material. Over immense spans of geological time, those original sediments were buried and subjected to intense heat and pressure, transforming them into strongly metamorphosed gneiss.

The term migmatitic indicates that parts of the rock experienced conditions approaching partial melting. The resulting rocks can contain complex bands and veins reflecting both metamorphic deformation and partial melting deep within the Earth’s crust.

Alpine mountain-building later uplifted these ancient rocks as the African and European tectonic regions converged. Erosion gradually stripped away overlying material, exposing the crystalline rocks now visible across the Schladming Tauern.

The character of this rock helps create Hochwildstelle’s distinctive upper mountain.

Much of the Low Tauern has rounded grassy slopes, but Hochwildstelle rises high enough for frost, erosion and steep relief to expose extensive rock. The summit therefore combines grassy alpine terrain lower down with narrow ridges, block fields, rocky steps and steep faces near the top.

Glacial action during the Ice Ages also shaped the surrounding landscape. Cirques, smoothed rock surfaces, steep valley steps and lake basins remain throughout the surrounding mountains.

💧 A Mountain of Lakes and Waterfalls

Water is one of the defining features of the Hochwildstelle landscape.

The Schladming-Dachstein region contains hundreds of mountain lakes, and several of the most beautiful lie along approaches to Hochwildstelle.

One classic approach begins beside the Steirischer Bodensee in the Seewigtal. From here, hikers climb past waterfalls to the Hüttensee and Hans-Wödl-Hütte before continuing toward the Obersee.

Above the lakes, the landscape becomes progressively wilder as the trail rises toward the Neualmscharte.

The western approaches are equally water-rich. Routes toward the Preintalerhütte pass through the Riesach Valley, famous for the Riesach waterfalls and Riesachsee.

Smaller streams descend from the high cirques surrounding Hochwildstelle, particularly during snowmelt.

This combination of lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows and dark crystalline ridges gives the mountain a distinctly different atmosphere from the drier limestone plateaus found north of the Enns Valley.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

The substantial elevation difference between the valleys and Hochwildstelle’s summit produces several distinct vegetation zones.

At lower elevations, approaches travel through mountain forest and traditional alpine pasture. As the trails climb, forest gradually gives way to open grasslands, dwarf shrubs and high alpine meadows.

The Trattenkar, encountered on the route from the Preintalerhütte, is especially attractive during early summer. Alpine roses and other mountain flowers bloom among small streams flowing down from the surrounding slopes.

Vegetation becomes increasingly sparse above roughly 2,400 meters. Grasses and hardy alpine plants survive in protected cracks and sheltered pockets, but loose rock and exposed crystalline slabs dominate much of the summit ridge.

The wider Schladming Tauern provide habitat for typical Alpine wildlife. Chamois are well adapted to steep rocky slopes, while marmots inhabit suitable grassy areas lower on the mountain. Mountain birds can also be seen around the high ridges and cirques.

Visitors should remain on established routes where practical. High-elevation vegetation grows slowly, and repeated trampling can damage plants that require years to recover.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

Hochwildstelle is not an ordinary hiking summit.

Although established trails reach the mountain, the upper routes contain exposed terrain, scrambling and steep rock. Sure-footedness, a good head for heights and previous experience in Alpine mountain terrain are important.

Several approaches are possible.

Via the Preintalerhütte and South Ridge

One of the finest routes begins at the Preintalerhütte, at approximately 1,657 meters.

From the hut, the trail climbs through the Trattenkar toward the Wildlochscharte. The early portion passes alpine vegetation and numerous small streams before the terrain becomes increasingly rocky.

Beyond the Wildlochscharte, the character changes dramatically.

The south ridge contains:

• Exposed rock steps
• Narrow ledges
• Blocky scrambling
• Short easy climbing passages
• Significant exposure

The ridge eventually reaches the summit cross at 2,747 meters.

The official Schladming-Dachstein itinerary continues down the somewhat easier northern side toward the Kleine Wildstelle and Neualmscharte before returning to the Preintalerhütte.

From the hut, this circuit is approximately 9.7 kilometers, involves around 1,135 meters of ascent, and is estimated at roughly seven hours.

Reaching the Preintalerhütte from the valley adds several hours, making an overnight stay attractive for many climbers.

Via Steirischer Bodensee and Hans-Wödl-Hütte

Another classic ascent begins in the Seewigtal beside the Steirischer Bodensee.

This approach is exceptionally scenic.

The trail passes the Steirischer Bodensee before climbing beside a waterfall toward the Hans-Wödl-Hütte, beautifully situated near the Hüttensee.

From there, hikers continue toward the Obersee and then climb steeply toward the Neualmscharte at approximately 2,347 meters.

Snowfields may persist near the saddle well into summer.

From Neualmscharte, the route continues across or near the Kleine Wildstelle before approaching Hochwildstelle’s northwest ridge. Some sections are exposed, particularly around the transition toward the summit ridge.

The official route from the Steirischer Bodensee parking area is approximately:

• Distance: 16.1 km
• Duration: About 9 hours
• Ascent: Approximately 1,670 m
• Highest point: 2,747 m

Spending a night at the Hans-Wödl-Hütte can turn the climb into a more relaxed two-day mountain trip.

Via the Sattental and Goldlacken

A longer and more remote option approaches Hochwildstelle from the Sattental.

The route climbs past alpine pastures and Stierkarsee toward the beautiful high basins containing the Goldlacken lakes.

From there, the trail continues toward the Trattenscharte and Wildlochscharte before reaching the exposed southern ridge.

The complete outing can involve approximately 18 kilometers and nearly 1,700 meters of climbing.

Snow and ice may linger around the Goldlacken and upper saddles well into summer.

This route is best suited to experienced mountain hikers comfortable with navigation, exposure and long days at altitude.

⚠️ How Difficult Is Hochwildstelle?

Hochwildstelle should be treated as a serious Alpine mountain tour.

The standard routes are not highly technical rock climbs under dry summer conditions, but their difficulty comes from the combination of distance, elevation gain, exposure and scrambling.

The upper mountain includes easy climbing around UIAA Grade I, with some descriptions treating portions of the south ridge as approaching I–II depending on the exact line and conditions.

The greater concerns often include:

• Long approaches
• Exposed ridges
• Loose or blocky rock
• Lingering snowfields
• Rapidly changing weather
• Navigation problems in cloud
• Thunderstorms
• Fatigue during long descents

Anyone uncomfortable with exposed scrambling can use the northern route through Neualmscharte as the preferred ascent rather than tackling the south ridge first.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Do not judge Hochwildstelle solely by its modest technical climbing grade. A UIAA I section can still be extremely serious when it is exposed, wet, icy or encountered after several hours of climbing. Current conditions matter as much as the published grade.

🧗 Climbing History

Hochwildstelle has an unusually early recorded climbing history.

The first known ascent is traditionally credited to M. Reiter and companions in 1801.

That date places the climb decades before mountaineering developed into an organized recreational activity across much of the Alps.

Early ascents of mountains such as Hochwildstelle were often connected with surveying, hunting, scientific curiosity or local exploration rather than modern-style recreational climbing.

During the 19th century, increasing interest in the Low Tauern gradually brought more visitors into the region. Rail development in the Enns Valley, the rise of Alpine clubs and the later construction of mountain huts made remote peaks increasingly accessible.

Today, Hochwildstelle remains less internationally famous than mountains such as Großglockner or Dachstein, but among Austrian mountain hikers it has a strong reputation as one of Styria’s classic high summits.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

For a summer ascent of Hochwildstelle, July through September generally offers the best chance of predominantly snow-free conditions.

June can be beautiful because alpine flowers are blooming and streams are full from snowmelt, but substantial snow may remain near high saddles and on shaded slopes.

Even in July, snowfields sometimes persist around the Neualmscharte, Goldlacken and other high sections.

August usually provides long days and relatively favorable trail conditions, although afternoon thunderstorms can be a major concern throughout the Alps.

September can be particularly rewarding. Cooler temperatures, clearer air and fewer hikers often produce excellent conditions, but daylight is shorter and early snowfall becomes increasingly possible later in the month.

October conditions vary enormously from year to year. A warm autumn may leave the mountain climbable, while an early storm can transform its exposed ridges into winter terrain.

Always check the latest mountain forecast and local route conditions before setting out.

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Hochwildstelle sits within an exceptionally rich mountain landscape.

Hochgolling

At 2,862 meters, Hochgolling is the highest mountain of the Schladming Tauern.

It rises southwest of Hochwildstelle and is also the mountain’s nearest higher neighbor.

Hoher Dachstein

North of the Enns Valley, Hoher Dachstein reaches 2,995 meters.

Its limestone cliffs, glaciers and karst plateaus create a striking geological contrast with the crystalline Schladming Tauern.

Steirischer Bodensee

Steirischer Bodensee is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Styria and one of the principal gateways to Hochwildstelle.

Visitors who do not want to climb the mountain can enjoy a much easier walk around the lake.

Hans-Wödl-Hütte

Hans-Wödl-Hütte occupies an outstanding setting above the Steirischer Bodensee beside the Hüttensee.

It provides both a destination for moderate hikers and a useful overnight base for climbing Hochwildstelle.

Riesach Waterfalls and Riesachsee

The Riesach Valley west of Hochwildstelle contains powerful waterfalls, deep gorges and the scenic Riesachsee.

This is also one of the principal approaches toward the Preintalerhütte.

Klafferkessel

The Klafferkessel is a spectacular high-alpine lake district in the Schladming Tauern containing dozens of small lakes scattered among rocky basins.

It is one of the outstanding hiking landscapes of the region and provides superb views of surrounding peaks.

💡 Fun Facts

• Hochwildstelle reaches 2,747 meters (9,012 feet).
• It is the second-highest mountain in the Schladming Tauern.
• Hochgolling is its nearest higher neighbor.
• Hochwildstelle is the highest mountain located entirely within Styria.
• Hoher Dachstein is higher but stands on the boundary between Styria and Upper Austria.
• The summit consists largely of migmatitic paragneiss.
• Its topographic isolation is approximately 9.2 kilometers.
• The first recorded ascent took place as early as 1801.
• The upper mountain has surprisingly sharp rock ridges for a range often associated with rounded grassy summits.
• Two of the classic approaches reach the mountain through exceptionally lake-rich valleys.
• The south ridge descends toward Wildlochscharte before the crest continues toward Himmelreich.
• The Steirischer Bodensee, Hüttensee and Obersee are encountered along the beautiful northeastern approach.
• Hochwildstelle can be climbed as a traverse between its south and northwest ridges.
• Early-summer snow can persist on the high approaches even when the valleys are completely snow-free.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Hochwildstelle?

Hochwildstelle rises to 2,747 meters (9,012 feet) above sea level.

Where is Hochwildstelle?

It is located in Styria, Austria, within the Schladming Tauern of the Low Tauern and Central Eastern Alps.

Is Hochwildstelle the highest mountain in Styria?

It is the highest mountain located entirely within Styria. Hoher Dachstein is higher at 2,995 meters, but its summit lies directly on the border between Styria and Upper Austria.

What mountain range is Hochwildstelle in?

Hochwildstelle belongs to the Schladming Tauern, a subdivision of the Low Tauern within the Eastern Alps.

What is the prominence of Hochwildstelle?

Current databases differ slightly. Peakbagger data gives approximately 475 meters (1,558 feet), while PeakVisor and several other references list approximately 486 meters (1,594 feet).

What is the isolation of Hochwildstelle?

Its topographic isolation is approximately 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles).

What is the nearest higher mountain?

The nearest higher mountain is Hochgolling, the 2,862-meter highest summit of the Schladming Tauern.

Is Hochwildstelle difficult to climb?

Yes. Although the upper scrambling is technically modest, the routes are long and contain exposed rocky terrain. Sure-footedness, fitness, Alpine experience and a head for heights are necessary.

Does climbing Hochwildstelle require a rope?

Experienced mountaineers commonly climb the standard routes without a rope under good summer conditions. However, individual ability, weather, snow, wet rock and comfort with exposure can significantly change the situation. Less-experienced climbers may benefit from travelling with a qualified guide.

Are there mountain huts near Hochwildstelle?

Yes. The Preintalerhütte provides access from the Untertal and Riesach Valley, while the Hans-Wödl-Hütte is an important base on the Seewigtal side.

When was Hochwildstelle first climbed?

The first recorded ascent is traditionally credited to M. Reiter and companions in 1801.

What is Hochwildstelle made of?

The summit is primarily associated with migmatitic paragneiss, part of the ancient crystalline rocks characteristic of the Schladming Tauern.

🔗 Related Articles

• Hochgolling — Explore the highest mountain of the Schladming Tauern and Hochwildstelle’s nearest higher neighbor.
• Hoher Dachstein — Discover the highest mountain associated with Styria and the dramatic limestone massif north of the Enns Valley.
• Hochalmspitze — Explore one of Austria’s great crystalline mountain massifs and the highest summit of the Ankogel Group.
• Großvenediger — Read about one of Austria’s great glaciated peaks in the Hohe Tauern.
• Explore Mountains of the Alps — Browse more peaks throughout Europe’s greatest mountain system.
• Mountains in Europe — Discover major peaks and mountain ranges across the continent.

📚 Sources

• Peakbagger — Mountain Database — Current Peakbagger search data for elevation and prominence.
• PeakVisor — Hochwildstelle — Elevation, prominence, isolation, coordinates, regional ranking and nearest higher neighbor.
• Schladming-Dachstein — Hochwildstelle via the Preintalerhütte — South-ridge route, distance, elevation gain, difficulty and route conditions.
• Schladming-Dachstein — Hochwildstelle via the Hans-Wödl-Hütte — Seewigtal approach, Neualmscharte route, distance and ascent statistics.
• Outdooractive — Hochwildstelle from Sattental — Sattental and Goldlacken route, scrambling difficulty and route statistics.
• SummitPost — Hochwildstelle — Climbing history, crystalline geology and established ascent routes.
• Schladming-Dachstein — Hiking in the Region — Regional mountain lakes, trails, alpine landscape and hiking information.
• Hochwildstelle — Reference Overview — Traditional prominence figure, geology, first ascent, ridge geography and historical route information.