Muttekopfhütte – A living room in the mountains

Whether it’s sport climbing, multi-pitch routes or Via Ferrata/Iron Way: at the Muttekopfhütte, you can be holding the handle of your coffee cup in the cosy lounge one moment, and ten minutes later, the hold on your first climbing route.
Kletterer im Konglomeratfels rund um die Muttekopfhütte über Imst
Kletterer im Konglomeratfels rund um die Muttekopfhütte über Imst

World-class on the access

When it comes to access, the Muttekopfhütte, high above Imst, is second to none: there are around 100 climbing routes within a 20-minute radius.

Added to this is the Waterfall Via Ferrata, a scenic highlight with a moderate Level of Difficulty of C. Another pleasing feature is that the rock there is of geological interest. This is because the area around the Mountain Lodge/Hut is characterised by conglomerate rock with magnificent holes. This type of climbing is otherwise rarely found in Tirol.

Text: Gebi Bendler | Photos: Michael Meisl

Via Ferrata climbers on the exposed ridge of the Imst Via Ferrata

Which way is it?

“After the Easy sections on the lower part of the wall, there’s this tricky bit where you have to go round the corner to the left.” Really? I thought that bit was much higher up! You’re right, it was!

A female climber on the pitted conglomerate at the Muttekopf above Imst

Plattenzauber and the Imster Via Ferrata/Iron Way

And even those aiming for the really big routes don’t have to put up with long, tedious approach hikes of great distance. In about 40 minutes, you’ll be at the start of the “Plattenzauber” on the Hintere Platteinspitze, which is considered one of the longest routes in the Northern Limestone Alps. Another great classic can be found not far from there: the Imster Via Ferrata/Iron Way.

This leads up to the 2,632-metre-high Maldonkopf and has long enjoyed legendary status amongst Tirolean via ferratas. Built in 1989, it was one of the first sport via ferratas in the Alps – and even today, that pioneering feat is still regarded as a major challenge. Over the course of 800 metres, via ferrata enthusiasts face one test of courage after another, with difficulties up to grade D.

Rest area in the middle of the Imst Via Ferrata with a view of the main Alpine ridge

„A treatment for the fear of heights for Åschaugschiache.“

Crash course in overcoming a fear of heights

The old dialect word ‘Åschaugschiache’ translates roughly as ‘afraid of looking down’, i.e. people with a fear of heights. Together with her friend Laura Wagner, Anna Konrad has just mastered the tricky crux section – a move out into the void. In doing so, the pair have completed the crash course in overcoming a fear of heights with flying colours.

Climbing on the Muttekopf above the Muttekopfhütte
A female climber on a route on the Muttekopf above Imst
Two female climbers taking a selfie on the waterfall via ferrata
A via ferrata climber right next to the waterfall at the Muttekopfhütte
Evening atmosphere on the waterfall via ferrata near the Muttekopfhütte

LIMIT #2: Alpine climbing in Tirol – the hot-off-the-press issue!

In this issue, we’ve devoted ourselves entirely to alpine climbing in Tirol. Across 136 pages, we showcase Tirol’s impressive vertical diversity, with fascinating stories from 15 climbing spots that offer a deep insight into the history of alpine climbing in Tirol.

Browse through & order LIMIT #2

The spots around the Muttekopfhütte

You might also be interested in these articles