Kendlspitze

The Vordere Kendlspitze is a 3 085-metre peak in the Granatspitz range of the Hohe Tauern, the southernmost three-thousand-metre summit in the group. It stands above the village of Kals in East Tirol, its summit ridge forming the border between the Glockner and Venediger districts. The mountain’s normal route is straightforward when snow and rock are dry, and the final section is protected by fixed cables.

The usual way up, known as the Saazer-Weg, leaves the Dürrenfeldscharte at 2 823 metres. From there it climbs steeply eastwards along the west flank of the Hintere Kendlspitze, then turns south across a short, rocky crest with UIAA grade I scrambling. The ascent from the col takes about three-quarters of an hour. Walkers normally reach the col by taking the Blauspitz chairlift from Kals, then following the Aussig-Teplitzer path, the Hohe Tor and the Sudeten German high-level trail to the col in roughly two and a half hours. The Sudeten German Hut at 2 650 metres can serve as a base, from which the col is one hour away.

From the summit visitors look east to the Grossglockner and west to the Venediger peaks. The route itself passes the Sudeten German Hut and the Hohe Tor before joining the high trail that leads to the lift station. The last section of the climb is short but exposed, with cables to hold on to. The mountain’s isolation and the long views make the effort worthwhile.