Kreuzkopf

The Kreuzkopf is a 3 102-metre peak in the Schobergruppe range of the Austrian Alps. It stands on the border between Heiligenblut am Großglockner and Großkirchheim in Kärnten. The first ascent was made on 2 August 1890 by Ludwig Purtscheller. The summit sits between the 3 251-metre Grosser Hornkopf and the 3 102-metre Kögele. A narrow col called the Hornscharte separates the Grosser Hornkopf from the Kreuzkopf. The Gradenbach valley lies on the eastern side while steep snow slopes fall away on the south. Climbers usually start from the Gradenalm to the east. The route follows the Innerkarbach stream up a narrow gorge before turning west onto the Ostgrat ridge. A short chimney leads to the Speikscharte notch, then the final climb follows the crest to the top. The route is graded II on the UIAA scale. Two other options exist: the Westwand snow slope (also II) and the North ridge across the Hornkees glacier (III-). Two alpine huts offer refuge nearby: the Elberfelder Hütte to the west and the Adolf-Noßberger-Hütte beside the Gradensee. From the summit the view stretches across the Schobergruppe. The Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, can be seen to the west. The Innerkar valley drops away to the north-east, where the Holderbach stream begins. The Kögele and Grosser Hornkopf stand close by on either side of the Hornscharte. The steep South Face plunges down towards the Hornkees glacier below.