Hammerspitze

The Hammerspitze stands at 2641 metres in the Stubai Alps of Tirol, marking the southern end of the twelve-kilometre Serleskamm that divides the Gschnitztal from the Pinnistal. The ridge rises from the Pinnisjoch past the Ilmspitze and Kirchdachspitze to the 2717-metre Serles, with the Hammerspitze perched between the 2528-metre Scharte and the 2728-metre Kesselspitze. The summit cross itself bears the name Hammerspitz and sits at 2634 metres, a subtle reminder of the border between cartography and local speech. The mountain attracts walkers who start from the Padasterjochhaus, four hundred metres below on the eastern flank, and climb the Scharte in just over an hour. A steady route from Trins in the Gschnitztal follows the Herrensteig or forest road to reach the hut in about three hours. More experienced hikers can take the Rohrauersteig from the Pinnistal, starting near Issenanger and taking roughly four hours to the top. From the summit there is a wide circle of peaks: the Stubai Alps ring the horizon, the Karwendel lies to the north, and the Tuxer and Zillertaler Alps stretch eastwards. Looking south-south-east across the main Alpine divide, the Dolomites appear with Piz Boè, the Marmolada and the Langkofel clearly visible. The contrast between the high limestone walls and the nearer granite ridges makes the view unforgettable.