Although Stubeck belongs to Hohe Tauern it resembles by its rounded and hilly shape more to Nockberge, standing across the Lieser valley. Still, this stand-alone mountain is very interesting for ascending, especially in times of tour skiing. The upper part of the mountain is rocky and grassy, a bit lower many alpine pastures can be seen, further lower it's covered with forests. Also the landscape in the lower and mid altitudes is very exploited. From the Villach-Salzburg highway, passing by on its eastern part, you can see many villages, farms, roads and cart-roads ascending up the hill.

To the rest of Hohe Tauern main chain Stubeck is attached on NW with the saddle, named Torscharte, 2106m. Towards north mountain slopes are falling down to Wolfs Bach (creek), towards east to Lieser valley, towards south to Malta valley and towards west to Feistritz Bach (creek). One additional 'advantage' is the road, which ascends over south slopes from Malta to the altitude of 1600 meters. It is cleaned quite early in spring, enabling you to do an easy and short ski tour. Having your car so high can also be a disadvantage - or at least for the one poor person, who is driving. Others can ski also further down. In summer and autimn Stubeck is nice for hiking and also for mountain biking.

Getting There

For the general orientation see the Hohe Tauern and Ankogel Group pages.

To approach Stubeck the most convenient is the Villach-Salzburg highway. You exit either in Rennweg below Katschberg (for the north approach) or Gmuend (for the south approach). Besides the mentioned two approaches, the mountain can also be ascended directly from Lieser valley, but in this case you must do some 1200m of altitude. In this case you use the local road, which goes parallel to the highway.

For the north approach you drive from Rennweg NW to St. Peter (1 km) and from there into the Wolfs Bach valley. A narrow forrest road brings you to the altitude of 1728m (Wansinghuette) - but only in summer. In winter and early spring the road might not be cleaned.

For the south approach drive from Gmuend town into Malta valley to the village Malta. Deter into the village, drive through it and all the way towards north - in many turns by south slopes of Stubeck. You can park by Kramerhuette, 1600m. Because it's so sunny, this road is cleaned quite early in spring.

The popularity of Stubeck for skiing is shown also by the fact, that from Frido-Kordon Huette to the very summit a 'Gipfeltaxi' (summit-taxi) is driving.

On the web, you can see a detailed map on: http://www.austrianmap.at/.

Routes Overview

Stubeck and its routes

Summer routes

1. You can reach Stubeck's south ridge either from Kramerhuette, 1604m, or from Frido-Kordon Huette, 1640m. Paths to the summit are marked and easy.

2. From north, you go from Wansinghuette towards SW to Torscharte (saddle), 2106m, and from there by the NW ridge to the summit. Also marked (the NW ridge ?) and easy.

3. From east and south-east you start in villages or hamlets above the Lieser valley. Marked are routes over Lupbauerhuette, 1700m, and Boden, 1731m.

Ski tours

1. From north, you go from Wansinghuette towards SW to Torscharte (saddle), 2106m, and from there by the NW ridge to the summit - 2h. You can ski down by the same route, or you can ski down by the ridge towards east on Karscharte, 2104m, and from there north through the valley of Lucke Bach (creek) to Wansinghuette. In good conditions (visibility) easy and very nice. If you started the tour in St. Peter or even in Rennweg (because the road was not cleaned), you can have an ideal downhill from the summit over the east ridge and further to the east down to Rennweg.

2. From south, you can start the tour either by Frido-Kordon Huette or by Kramerhuette. It takes you some 2h to ascend the summit. From Kramerhuette you best walk by a cart-road in the valley, called In der Faschaun (the valley of Feistritz Bach). Reaching alpine meadows, you turn right and ascend over west slopes the south ridge of Stubeck. Then to the summit. From here, from west, you can easily choose the route of ascent and descent. It's only not recommendable to go with skis directly on the Torscharte (saddle). There are some steep sections. The other option from south is to ascend the south ridge from any of the two huts earlier. Then just follow the ridge to the summit. Towards south trailheads you can ski down almost everywhere - as described for ascents.

In hard winter you can start the south tour also down in Malta valley.

Red Tape

No restrictions.

When To Climb

You can ascend Stubeck any time of season.

For weather conditions for Austria see here (then choose region: Kaernten).

Camping

Lippbauerhuette, 1700m. Private. Contact: Hermine Steiner, Unterburgstallberg 8, A 9862 Kremsbr�cke, Austria. Tel. & Fax: (04735) 575.

Wansinghuette, 1728m. Private. 6 beds. Contact: Hans Mei�nitzer, St. Peter 25, A-9863 Rennweg/Katschberg, Austria.

Kramerhuette, 1600m. Private. Contact: Ferdinand Fladnitzer, Malta 168, A-9854 Malta, Austria.

Frido-Kordon Huette, 1640m, Austrian Alpine Club - Section Gmuend. Opened from start of May till mid October, 10+15 beds. Tel.: +43/4733/528.

Images