Sonneck

The Sonneck is a 2,260-metre mountain in the Kaisergebirge range of the Northern Limestone Alps. It stands on the main crest between the Hackenköpfe and Kopfkraxen in the west and the Ellmauer Halt and Treffauer in the east. The broad summit holds a solid metal cross and offers wide views across the Wilder Kaiser. From the top, the Ellmauer Halt, the highest peak in the range, the Treffauer and Lake Hinterstein can be seen clearly. The mountain is one of the higher summits in the Kaisergebirge but is climbed less often than many others. Two main routes lead to the summit, both demanding fitness and experience. The southern route starts at Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser and reaches the Kaiser Hochalm meadow after about two hours. It then climbs steeply past the Sonnenstein and across mountain pine slopes and open schrofen terrain. The final section follows a secured ridge with a short climb to the summit. The northern route begins in Sparchen, a suburb of Kufstein, and follows the Kaisertal valley past the Pfandlhof farm and St Anthony’s Chapel to the Anton Karg Haus. From there the route takes the Beggar’s Trail briefly before branching off towards the Chamois Cirque and the summit. A ridge crossing links the Sonneck to the Kopfkraxen, Wiesberg, Hackenköpfe and Scheffauer. This route is long, unmarked and exposed, requiring sure-footedness, a head for heights and local knowledge. The crossing takes about three hours and must be followed by a descent to the Kaindl Hut or Lake Hinterstein. The entire traverse is energy-sapping and should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers. On warm days the southern ascent should start early to avoid difficult conditions on the upper slopes.