Hackenköpfe

The Hackenköpfe are a row of peaks in the western Kaisergebirge range in Austria. They stand along a ridge running west from the Sonneck between the Treffauer and Scheffauer. To the north the rock faces drop up to 800 metres into the Kaisertal valley. To the south they show steep, jagged rock flanks. The peaks reach a maximum height of 2,126 metres. Climbers usually reach them either over the arête from the Sonneck or along the one from the Scheffauer. Both normal routes include sections graded UIAA II. The routes are not signed or secured. A popular but challenging crossing runs from Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser along the crest to the Sonneck, passing the Hackenköpfe. On the crossing walkers pass the southern flanks of the peaks. Views open over the Kaisertal valley to the north and the Wilder Kaiser peaks to the south. The route demands sure-footedness and a head for heights. It is taken only by those confident on exposed ridges. The rock faces of the Hackenköpfe dominate the skyline along the way.