Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 47.06350°N / 14.56730°E |
Activities: | Hiking, Skiing |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 7860 ft / 2396 m |
> Jan 25th, 2019: Design corrections.
> Jun 20th, 2016: A major page update.
> Oct 11th, 2004: Initial page setup.
The long shoulders of Lavanttal Alps have their undisputed king. Zirbitzkogel is so the same character as others, but higher, so it is no wonder why this area is so developed for mountaineering. The highest point of Seetaler Alps stands in the center of this 35 km long massif, west of the Obdach saddle, where the long Lavanttal reaches its highest point. On its slopes there's also the source of Lavant creek.
The area is known by nice areas, covered with 'Zirben' (sort of pine-trees, Swiss pine - pinus cembra), magnificient trees, which can live up to 1000 years, and grow up to 20 meters. Because of its high quality woods, they are much used for carving. But despite this, I was surprised reading that the name of Zirbitzkogel comes from an old Slovenian word 'zirbiza', which would mean a red alpine meadow. The explanation is that the slopes of this mountain are indeed covered with alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), in local language called 'Almrausch'. Being there mid June, I saw a lot of it, but it was still to early that it would make the whole slope red.
Zirbitzkogel is built of crystalline rocks: slate (Glimmer Schiefer = shining slate), gneisses and granites. In spring and early summer water is flowing down all the slopes and in a few small basins tarns are made. The two permanent nearby lakes are: Lindersee and Lavantsee, more other lakes are already a bit remote.
As seen on the map, all around the main summit there are many mountain huts. The importance of this mountain for mountaineering is expressed also with the fact, that there's a mountain hut on the very summit and that there is an abundance of marked paths, ascending on the summit from all sides. The shortests hikes come from the east and west, the longest is traversing the whole mountain range from north to south or vice versa. In winter and spring Zirbitzkogel is very popular for tour skiing. Descents can be also done in all directions, along the marked routes and also elsewhere. In summer you may see evenmountain bikers, using rough cart-roads to the very top. Paragliding is prohibited (warning inscriptions).
Reaching the summit of Zirbitzkogel is really rewarding, as it offers very broad views in all directions. The surrounding is hilly, the most beautiful view is towards north, where ranges of Niedere Tauern strech. On the southwest and west the rugged peaks of Southern Alps are clearly seen on the horizon.
From the mountaineering and aesthetic point of view Zirbitzkogel has also one or two dark sides. One is the area around the summit, which is reserved for military training. In most cases this will not impact visiting the summit. When nothing is going on, you can move there freely, but it's one more information you need to have, prior ascending Zirbitzkogel. The other point is a noticable weather radar station on the neighbouring summit of Scharfes Eck, 2364 m.
For general overview, see the Lavanttal Alps page.
Zirbitzkogel and some of its main routes (see details on the map above). |
All routes (except #8) are easy hikes over grassy slopes. Here are just some of them, the times are a bit short for an average fit hiker (400 m in one hour + quite some distance):
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From May 2006 the whole area is part of the Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen: Otherwise no restrictions in the area, exept when the military region is closed for training.
You can ascend Zirbitzkogel any time of season. In hard winter times the trailheads may be further down in the valleys. If snow conditions are not safe, additional cautiousness is needed, aspecially on the upper slopes.
The ascent can be easily done in one day. But as the area is so developed for tourism, there are many mountain huts, supporting activities:
If you have further valuable information, please add it. Especially the following: