Hochjoch

The Hochjoch stands at 2,520 metres in the Verwall range of the Austrian Alps. It rises above the Montafon valley town of Schruns, forming a sharp pyramid when seen from the north-east and a broad massif from the west. Two gentle summits crown the ridge, and the mountain is served by several cable cars that link it to the Silvretta Montafon ski area. The Hochjoch has long been a stage for major ski events. In 1947 the Austrian Alpine Ski Championships were planned here but moved to the Grabser Abfahrt because of warm weather. From 1971 to 1975 the Kapell area hosted Ladies’ World Cup races, bringing international attention. Today the Hochjoch hosts Ski-Opening and World Cup events in alpine skiing, snowboard cross and ski cross. The Hochjoch Bergbahnen joined the Silvretta Montafon ski centre in 2008. Visitors reach the summit zone via the Hochjochbahn, a modern cable car that climbs from Schruns to the Kapell at 1,855 metres. From the Bergstation a lift continues to the Sennigrat ridge at 2,300 metres. The Wormser Hütte sits west of the Hochjoch summit and offers routes to nearby peaks such as the Zamangspitze and Kreuzjoch. Between the Hochjoch and Sennigrat lies the Schwarzsee, while the Herzsee sits below the Kreuzjoch. A 62-metre rope bridge marks the final section of the Hochjoch Klettersteig, a Category C via ferrata that leads to the summit.