Monte Viso is the highest mountain of the Cottian Alps. It exceeds all neighboring mountains by at least 500 metres in height and can be seen from a great distance. On the north face are the headwaters of the Po, Italy's longest river. This was one of the reasons making the area around the mountain a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2013. On a clear day you can see the Milan Cathedral with field glasses from the summit. To the north the view goes as far as to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
The highest mountain of the Maritime Alps is located only 50 km east of Nizza in one of the biggest nature parks of the Alps. The mountain itself seems quite unimpressive being framed by nearby mountain ranges. The regional park offers scenic hiking trails and is home to countless alpine marmots.
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain of France and in the Alps. It appears cliff-like from the south, whereas the impression from the north seems to be of a much rounder and more inviting summit. With a topographic prominence of 4696 meters, Mont Blanc is one of the eleven most prominent mountains on the globe. The community of Chamonix at the foot of the mountain hosted the first predecessor to the Winter Olympics in 1924. Today it is the starting point for a number of exciting freeride ski-runs.
If the perfect mountain exists, it must be the Matterhorn. Its solitary presence at the end of the Nikolai Valley and its almost perfect tetrahedral shape make the mountain a symbol for the beauty of the Alps and an object of projection for the challenges of Alpinism.
La Saulire is located in the world's biggest ski area “Les Trois Valléés”, on the border between the resorts “Courchevel” and “Méribel/Mottaret”. In winter tens of thousands of skiers pass the summit each day. Most of them use the groomed slopes. Only few are courageous enough to take the couloirs, some wild, steep, and narrow ski-runs in between the rocks.
La Meije, in the French Dauphiné Alps, is one of the best-known mountains of France, besides the Mont Blanc. For climbers the highest peak, la Grand Pic, is said to be one of the most challenging obstacles in the Alps. The first successful ascent was made in 1877. The name “Meije” is going back to the Provençal word “Meidjour”, meaning “midday”.
The Kitzsteinhorn is part of the Glockner Group in the High Tauern. The first summit ascent was made by Johann Entacher in 1828. The first Austrian glacier ski are was opened at the Kitzsteinhorn in 1965. An observation deck on 3029 metres offers an excellent view of the neighboring summits.
The iconic and local mountain of Oberstaufen is the highest peak of the Nagelfluhkette and of paramount importance for both tourism and geography. The aerial lift Hochgratbahn takes you up to about 125 metres below the summit. On the mountain slopes one can find many Alpine pastures. The Hochgrat mountain run is one of the sportive highlights in the district of Oberallgäu.
The Hoher Ifen, or Hochifen, is the highest point of the ifen plateau, which goes up tilted to the Ifenmauer, the northern rock face. Even though not being one of the highest summits of the Allgäu Alps, it offers a wide view over the German-Austrian border region. The Gottesacker (“God's Acre”) in the north, an almost moonscape-like karstic plateau, is particularly impressive. Today it is a nature reserve and home to rare animals and flowers. In 1998 a dwelling site from the Stone Age on the eastern flank was discovered, and later excavated.
Hoher Dachtsein is the highest mountain of the Dachstein Mountains and also the highest peak of the Austrian states of Upper Austria and Styria. The mountain's south face is famous for its steep cliffs falling down about 1000 metres. The aerial tramway Dachstein-Südwandbahn takes you from Ramsau in Styria to the southern part of the Dachstein massif. For the construction of the lift a part of the subpeak Hunerkogel was blown up in the 1960s.
The Höfats, also known as “the Matterhorn of the Allgäu”, is the Allgäu's most characteristic grass mountain. Ascending the four, almost equally high summits is very challenging, due to very steep grass and schrofen faces. The reward is a unique flora, which has no resemblance anywhere else in the Allgäu. In 1911 a protected area for plants was established around the Höfats. The edelweiss, which had been almost extinct, can nowadays be found again, in clusters of 30 blossoms and more.
The Hochvogel is not the highest mountain of the Allgäu Alps, but one of its most iconic and best-known summits. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view from the top. To the east you can see Wetterstein and Karwendel, to the south the view takes you up to the High Tauern. In the west the Swiss Alps with Säntis and Tödi show and in the north you can see the Black Forrest and the Swabian Jura.
Hochkönig is the highest mountain massif of the Berchtesgarden Alps south of the German-Austrian border and one of the most prominent peaks in the Alps. The massif appears especially impressive seen from the south. The summit is covered by the “Übergossene Alm”, a glacier which has shrinked severely over the last decades.
The Hochfrottspitze is the highest mountain on the German side of the Allgäu Alps. Trettachspitze, Mädelegabel and Hochfrottspitze form the famous triumvirate of peaks. The cliffy wilderness on the south side used to be called “Frut”, from which the mountain probably received its name. Inhabitants of nearby Oberstdorf also call the mountain one of the three Trettach peaks.
The Gspaltenhorn is part of the Bernese Alps and rises up to 3436 m. The mountain rock consists mainly of limestone which gives the surface a cliffy and cragged shape. The name comes from the German word “gespalten”, meaning “split” or “cleft”. For climbers the Gspaltenhorn offers multiple routes to the summit with varying degrees of difficulty.
The Großer Widderstein, situated in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, is part of the Allgäu Alps and the highest peak of the Kleinwalstertal and the Southeastern Walsertal Mountains. When making a summit attempt one might cross the path of ibexes. It is still disputed though whether the name of the mountain refers to a male ship or an ibex, both being called “Widder” in German. South of the mountain lies the municapility of Warth. Its ski area Warth-Schröcken has been connected with the area Ski Arlberg since the winter of 2016 / 2017, thus making it Austria's largest ski resort.
The Grossglockner or Glockner is Austria's highest mountain and one of the most prominent mountains on earth. The view of the summit still fascinates people today. The name of the mountain is probably derived from its bell (German: “Glocke”) -like shape. Besides the first successful summit ascent in 1800 fron Heiligenblut the ascent via the southwest ridge (Stüdlgrat) from Kals, made by the merchant Johann Stüdl, was one of the mile stones in the climbing history of the Grossglockner. Today more than 20 routes with varying difficulties lead to the summit from both Tyrol and Carinthia. This mountain print shows the view of the Großglockner from Tyrol. We also created a mountain print with the view from Carinthia, see Großglockner (Kärnten).
With a height of 3798 metres the Grossglockner is Austria's highest mountain. Its topographic isolation of 175 kilometres makes it one of the most dominant summits in all of Europe. The view of the summit from the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is famous and has been fascinating mountaineers, hikers and travellers for centuries. The first successful ascent to the summit by Prince-bishop Salm-Reifferscheidt-Krautheim was a major achievement in the history of Alpinism. Today more than 20 routes with varying difficulties lead to the summit from Heiligenblut and from Kals. This mountain print shows the view of the Großglockner from Carinthia. We also created a mountain print with the view from Tyrol, see Großglockner (Tirol). Großglockner (Tirol).
The Großes Wiesbachhorn is often seen as the most beautiful three-thousander and a rival to the Großglockner. Even though the mountain is part of the Glockner Group its upper part is quite isolated and allows for a spectacular view of the Fusch valley 2400 m below. The first ascent of the Northwest Face in 1924 is of major importance for Alpinism since for the first time ice nails were used, which were later further developed into ice screws, still being used today.
Große Kinigat or Monte Cavallino, lying on the border between East Tyrol and the Italian Province of Belluno, was supposed to be sold in 2011. After heavy protests the Austrian government abandoned these plans. The mountain is easy to climb and offers a great panoramic view up to Großvenediger and Großglockner, one of the highlights on the Carnic High Elevation Trail which follows the border between Italy and Austria over 155 kilometres.
Like a boulder tossed aside, the Grimming stands isolated to the east of the Dachstein, and its imposing appearance makes it one of the attractions of Styria. It consists mainly of Dachstein limestone and is a popular destination for climbers. Because of its exposed position, the Grimming played an important role in the surveying of Austria: a wooden survey marker was placed on the summit as early as 1822.
The highest mountain of Liechtenstein is part of the Rätikon range and a popular destination for Liechtenstein's sportive inhabitants. The rhine flows seven kilometers west of the summit and takes up the mountain's water. A few kilometers to the north you can find Liechtenstein's only ski resort “Malbun/Sareis”.
The summits of the Grandes Jorasses are part of the Mont Blanc massif on the French-Italian border. The highgest peak is Pointe Walker. Besides Eiger and Matterhorn, the Grandes Jorasses' north face is known as one of the greatest challenges for climbers in the Alps.
Situated in the centre of Vanoise National Park the Grande Casse plays a crucial part in the protection of the Alpine fauna. Founded in 1963 the national park was supposed to protect endagered species as the Alpine ibex, the number of which climbed back up to 2500. Around the national park there are some of the largest ski resorts in the Alps as “Les 3 Vallées” or “Tignes/Val-d'Isère”.
The Grand Combin mountain massif is part of the Pennine Alps in the southwest of the Swiss canton of Vallais. Its three major peaks belong to the highest in the entire Alps. Large parts of the mountains are glaciated which is why people also call it a “giant ice block”. The ascent is dangerous but rewards climbers with a magnificient view over clear mountain lakes.
Situated in the Graian Alps, the Gran Paradiso is regarded as the Alps' easiest four-thousander to climb. Many mountaineers prepare here for the challenge of climbing the nearby Mont Blanc. The first Italian national park which spreads around Gran Paradiso is named after the mountain. The park was established in 1856 to protect the endangered Alpine ibex.
The Gosaukamm is a small mountain massif in the Austrian Dachstein Mountains. The border between the Austrian states of Salzburg and Upper Austria runs along the rough mountain ridge. The Gosaukamm is a popular destination for extreme skiers in the winter due to its steep slopes. Since the danger of avalanches is quite high though, it is recommended only for skilled skiers familiar with the area.
The Geisler group is part of the Dolomites situated between Funes Valley in the north and Val Gardena in the south. The highest peak of the group is Sass Rigais with 3025 m. The Geisler group is a popular destination for climbers. While the German name of the group probably goes back to a person named “Geisler”, the Ladin name “Le Odles” can be translated as “needles”.
The Furgler, just over 3000 m high, is part of the Samnaun Alps in Tyrol, Austria. It is one of the most visited mountains of the region. The lifts of the nearby ski resort Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis are often used when attempting to climb to the summit. The Furgler is also a popular destination among ski mountaineers.
The Finsteraarhorn is located in a quite remote are of the Alps, surrounded by uninhabited glacial valleys. Seen from the northeast the summit resembles a shark's fin, from the soutwest it looks like a giant triangle. In spite of being the highest summit of the Bernese Alps the Finsteraarhorn's remote location makes it much less known than the lower peaks of Mönch, Eiger and Jungfrau.
The Eiger in the Bernese Alps is forming one of the most famous Alpine mountain ridges, together with Mönch and Jungfrau. The Eiger is especially known for its 1800 metre high north face which has been described impressively in A.W. Moore's standard work ‘The Alps’ in 1864: “Of the thousands who annually pass under the shadow of this magnificent wall, which in height and steepness alike excels the corresponding face of the Wetterhorn, few have failed to be impressed with its rugged and precipitous character.”
Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau form one of the most famous and characteristic mountain groups in Switzerland and in the whole Alpine region. The Jungfrau in the West is the highest of the three summits. Since 1912 a rack railway, which has been named after the Jungfrau, is making its way up via Eiger and Mönch to Europe's highest railway station Jungfraujoch on 3454 metres.
The Dufourspitze is the highest mountain of Switzerland and the highest peak of Monte Rosa, one of the Alps' most impressive mountain massifs. The Swiss-Italian border runs along about 100 m east of the summit. The mountain is named after Guillaume-Henri Dufour, a Swiss general and topographer who published the first official map of Switzerland in 1845.
These three peaks of the Sesto Dolomites are a popular destination for mountaineers. It was here that many developments of mountaineering began, for example the discipline of sport climbing. Unfortunately, part of their popularity can be traced back to World War I. At the time, the area around the battlements was fiercely contested, the remains of which can still be found around the three peaks today.
With 4545 metres the Dom is the highest mountain with its entire base completely located in Switzerland. The view from the top offers a spectacular panorama far into the country and over the Monte Rosa massif due to the mountain's high prominence. The Dom is named after the Canon of the Sitten cathedral (in German: "Dom") who took part in the first official surveys of the area. The ski resort “Saas-Fee” is only six kilometres away, and even in the summer allows for some of the highest and most beautiful ski-runs in the entire Alps.
The Dents du Midi are a mountain range which spans over three kilometers in the Swiss Canton of Valais. The seven peaks, all of which reach a height of about 3,200m, offer magnificient views both of Lake Geneva and the Rhône plains and are habitat for diverse plant and animal life, making them a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers.
