Multi pitch climbing in the Kaiser Mountains

The Kaiser region includes the area around the four villages Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll. The Kaiser Mountains are one of Austria’s most popular climbing destinations. In 1977, international climbing history was written when the route „Pumprisse“ (7th grade) at Fleischbank-Pfeiler was established. Popular alpine routes such as Totenkirchl, Predigtstuhl or Fleischbank trigger both respect and ambition. This climbing hot spot is recommended for both beginners and experienced climbers who search an individual challenge on rock. Aside from sport climbing routes, the Kaiser Mountains also offer multi pitches, via ferratas and climbing gyms. With a bit of fantasy, you can recognise the emperor’s, Charles the Great, profile between the Treffauer and Ellmauer Halt Peak. He gave the holiday region in the Tirolean Unterland its name (“Kaiser” = emperor).

3 impressive multi pitch routes in the Kaiser Mountains

• Kraxengrat: The Kraxengrat is a newly established ridge on solid rock. The access hike takes about 90 minutes. The route is easy to find and well bolted. However, the last four pitches are rather alpine considering its spaced bolts and difficult route finding. The route is very rewarding and offers a great view onto the Hintersteinersee lake.
• Sonneck: The difficulty of the Sonneck multi pitch lies between 6 and 7 on the grading scale. It starts with steep cracks, dihedral and slab climbing. It is one of the best slab climbing routes in the Kaiser Mountains. It starts at the Jagerwirt hut. The access hike takes about 1,5 hours.
• Treffauer Westsockel: The Treffauer Westsockel multi pitch route provides diverse and well secured climbing. The rock is mostly solid. The route is ideal to climb in the early morning in summer or on afternoons in autumn. Starting at the Wegscheidalm hut, the access hike takes about 45 minutes. Some parts of the descent must be abseiled.