Niklaskogel

The Niklaskogel is a 2,791-metre peak in the Venediger Group of the Hohe Tauern range in East Tirol. It stands on the Dorfer ridge, just north of the village of Prägraten am Großvenediger. To the north-west the Türml rises to 2,845 metres, while to the south the Schlüsselspitze reaches 2,778 metres. The route from the Türmljoch is the usual way up. From the col the path turns left beneath the Türml’s east face and climbs to a small col before following the ridge. The climb takes about an hour across easy ground. In 1913 J. Dorn and Th. Husche made the first ascent by this route. From the summit a traverse leads over the Schlüsselspitze, dropping along the Niklaskogel’s south ridge to the Schlüsselscharte and then ascending the steep north ridge of the Schlüsselspitze. The summit offers views across the Dorfer and Maurertal valleys. The Türmljoch is the nearest marked path, while the Schlüsselspitze provides a longer ridge walk. The surrounding peaks and high pastures show the wild heart of the Venediger Group.