Overview
Schillerkopf seen from Loischkopf |
Schillerkopf is one of the lower mountains of the
Fundlkopf Group in
Rätikon, the mountain range, which stretches across the borders of three countries:
Liechtenstein,
Switzerland and
Austria. As the
Fundlkopf Group is completely located on Austrian soil, so naturally is Schillerkopf. The group consists of a single ridge, made up from brittle limestone, which stretches in a long bend from the central part of
Rätikon towards the Tschengla slopes high above
Bludenz. Schillerkopf is the last of the limestone summits on the ridge, while the following
Mondspitze is a steep grass mountain, covered in dwarf pines.
Schillerkopf is not exactly an easy hike. Though you can start at Tschengla Alm at roughly 1200m both routes, which lead to the summit, are extremely steep and exposed in their upper parts. Where possible the most dangerous sections have been protected by steel cables and chains but the real difficulties lie in the parts in between. The topmost part is a wonderful ledge traverse beneath the second highest summit with an exposed ridge hike towards the summit tower.
As can be seen from some of the pictures,
Schillerkopf is a mountain of many summits, most of which are inaccessible even to climbers. The limestone rock of the
Fundlkopf Group is way to brittle to offer good climbing, if any at all. In the "back" of the mountain (i.e. in its west) the huge doline (almost crater) of
Kessiloch documents this instability. Here underground caves gave in forming a huge cauldron of 200m depth. The
Schillersattel Route negotiates this cauldron by following its ridgeline.
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Schillerkopf in front of the Fundlkopf and Naafkopf-Falknis Groups
Due to its low elevation,
Schillerkopf is a moderate lookout. While views towards the far side of
Walgau Valley across the city of
Bludenz are exceptional (with the ranges
Bregenzerwald,
Lechquellengebirge,
Lechtal Alps and
Ferwall Group on display) the Rätikon part is restricted by higher mountains up close. Much of the
Schesaplana and
Zimba Groups can be see as well as the north-eastern subgroups of
Rätikon. Everything else is hidden behind higher summits. Still,
Schillerkopf is a worthwhile climb, if only to acclimatize.
Getting There
Trailhead for
Schillerkopf and
Mondspitze is
Tschengla Alm, which is located above the village
Bürserberg, itself at the mouth of
Brandnertal Valley. It is most easily reached by motorway A14, which connects
Bregenz near
Lake Constance with
Innsbruck through the Arlberg Tunnel. Either of the ends of the motorway can be easily reached from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Routes
As mentioned in the overview section there are two hiking routes with protection, which connect close to the summit. The northern one heads for
Schillersattel, a saddle connecting Schillerkopf with neighbour Mondspitze, from there around Kessiloch and steeply up to the summit. The second one, Tälisteig, is even steeper and connects the trailhead at Tschengla Alm directly with the mountain, using its soth-western gullies for ascent.
More about the routes on the according pages.
Red Tape
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Summit view across the northern Rätikon Ridges
There is no red tape here. As you'll have to cross the pastures of
Tschengla Alm and
Rona Alpe, please make ssure to close all gates and (electrical) fences behind you. There are a lot of orchids on the upper parts of the routes (mainly gymnadenia conopsea), which are strictly protected. Leave them where they belong!
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, beneath Tschengla Alm, 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