Großer Weitschartenkopf

The Große Weitschartenkopf stands 1,979 metres above sea level in the north-western part of the Reiter Alm, a high plateau in the Salzburg Alps close to the Bavarian border. It is the highest point of this section of the range and overlooks the valley of the Saalach. About 500 metres north-east of its summit, on the German side, the smaller Kleine Weitschartenkopf reaches 1,930 metres. Climbers usually start from the Neue Traunsteiner Hütte, following a well-marked route that takes roughly one and a half hours. The path first crosses the open Hochfläche to the west before turning north-east up the gentle slopes to the summit. No official trails lead to the Kleine Weitschartenkopf, so the route is left to experienced walkers. From the top, a sweeping panorama unfolds across the Reiter Alm’s high plateau. To the east and south-east the Hoher Göll, Watzmann and Hochkalter rise above the horizon. South-west of the summit the Loferer Steinberge appear, with the Großvenediger visible beyond. Westwards the view stretches to the Wilder Kaiser and across the Chiemgauer Alps into the Bavarian Pre-Alps. On exceptionally clear days the horizon reaches as far as the Bavarian Forest, about 200 kilometres away. Below, the Saalach valley and the village of Schneizlreuth lie deep in the foreground.