Kalkkögel

The Kalkkögel form a striking chain of limestone peaks in the Stubai Alps of Tyrol. Their jagged crests rise above the Stubaital valley, giving them the nickname ‘North Tyrolean Dolomites’. The highest point is the Schlicker Seespitze, while the Ampferstein marks the eastern edge. Beneath the summits lie thick layers of Triassic dolomite split by the thin Raibler beds of slate. These rocks once held iron ore deposits worked south of the Burgstall, supporting the local tool-making trade. Geologists value the Kalkkögel for their clear rock sequences from the Permian-Triassic boundary through the Norian stage. The lower and upper dolomite layers sandwich the Raibler beds, creating a visible ledge halfway up the slopes. Conglomerates and sandstones at the base contain the iron ore that powered the Stubaital’s historic industry. The same dolomite forms the pale, sheer walls that echo the look of the South Tyrol’s Dolomites. Walkers find marked routes up peaks such as the Saile and Hoher Burgstall, each offering wide views over the valley. The iron-ore workings near Burgstall are still recognisable today. From the high cols between the peaks the chain presents a dramatic skyline of towers and pinnacles. The contrast between the pale rock and the green meadows below makes the Kalkkögel a favourite among alpinists and photographers.