Saulakopf

Overview

Brandner Mittagsspitze and Saulakopf seen from Mottakopf

The Rätikon Range, though it is rather small, appears to be rather complex even if you look at it from the inside. Vastly different rock composiition and the location on the border region of three countries, one of which (Liechtenstein) is so small that it fits inside the range helps this perception as no roads divide it but rather pass it on either side. The main ridge is short and subdivided into several very different subgroups while long side ridges run out into the valleys to the east and west.

The longset and most impressive of these subgroups, the Zimba Group, also Valkastielkamm does not turn off from the main ridge proper but starts at Saulajoch, a saddle which separates it from the southern part of the Kirchlispitzen Group. The first summit above the saddle is Saulakopf, a broad limestone mountain rising up to 2517m. It connects to Brandner Mittagspitze across a high ridge which never significantly drops beneath 2500m but is separated from mighty Zimba by Zimbajoch. The closest mountain to the south is twin peaked Schafgafall, right across Saulajoch.

Saulakopf is famous for its views, mainly those to the immediate vicinity: the impressive horn of Zimba is right tothe north-east while the Schesaplana Group is right on the opposite side of the turquoise Lünersee. The limestone bastions Sulzfluh, Drusenfluh and Kirchlispitzen, however, are partly hidden behind other summits. In addition, on a clear day you will be able to look far towards the groups of the Eastern Alps, between Platta Group and Ötztal Alps.

Summit panorama towards the Schesaplana Group

Schesaplana Group seen from Saulakopf

Getting There

Trailhead for Saulakopf is the cable-car to Lünersee at the end of Brandnertal. Most hikers start at Douglass Hut at the top of the cable-car but if you plan an additional 2h you can also hike the Böser Tritt path (protected) to the hut.

Brandnertal has its own exit on motorway A14 and is located directly opposite of the regional capital Bludenz. The motorway connects Bregenz on Lake Constance (and thus the border region between Switzerland, Austria and Germany) with Innsbruck across Arlberg Pass or Tunnel. Thus the area can be very easily reached. The cablle-car is right at the very end of the valley.

Routes

Saulakopf is a popular mountain as it can be reached in a few hours from the Lünersee cable-car and Douglass Hut, which is located next to it. There are two hiking routes which combine in Saulajoch and even if you don't intend to climb to the mountain, the two routes can be hiked as a panoramic looop with little elevation gain and no difficulties.

Saulakkopf itself can be reached by two routes, the hiking route throgh the west face and a Via Ferrata along the south-west pillar, which is very exposed. The normal route also has protected sections where it leads across exposed ledges. The crux is a polished slab about 50m beneath the summit which is tricky even with protection. The normal route is listed as a Via Ferrata in guidebooks of the region.

Red Tape

The ridge between Brandner Mittagspitze and Zimba

There's no Red Tape here. One curiosity though: right at the start of Saulajochsteig there is a sign which seems to claim that it is closed. However, as far as I could make out, the sign only closed a short section of the path which lead to the pillar of a material lift to Douglass Hut. There is a shortcut bypassing this closed section.

Accommodation

Since Brandnertal is a well known ski area there is plenty of accommodation nearby. You can use the following link:

www.brandnertal.at

Also, in Bürserberg, near the mouth of the valley, there is a campground if you are inclined this way.

Weather Conditions

Maps & Books

Maps

• Brandnertal / Nenzinger Himmel / Rätikon
  1 : 35.000
  WK 5374
  Verlag Freytag & Berndt
  ISBN: 978-3-7079-1275-3
  
• Montafon
  1:25000
  WK 032
  Kompass Verlag
  ISBN: 978-3-85491-614-7

Books

• Brandnertal
  Herbert Mayr
  Rother Verlag
  ISBN: 978-3-7633-4035-4

Images

View Saulakopf Image Gallery - 19 Images