Bankkogel is a 3310-metre peak in the southern Ötztal Alps, standing directly on the border between Austria and Italy. It's a destination for those seeking a genuine high-alpine glacier tour with views spanning two countries at once.

The summit rises along the main Alpine ridge, here called the Schnalskamm, and sends out a distinctive ridge to the north-northwest that drops toward the Gurgler Ferner glacier. Its southern flank falls steeply into the Pfossental valley on the South Tyrolean side, a protected area within the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Neighboring peaks include the Falschungspitze to the west and the towering Hochwilde (3480 m) to the east, separated by the Gurgler Eisjoch. In winter and spring the terrain is heavily snow-covered, while summer exposes crevassed sections of the glacier.

How to reach the summit

• Hochwildehaus hut (from the north, near Obergurgl) — glacier tour with numerous crevasses, requires alpine experience, demanding
• Grubalm (2506 m) in the Pfossental valley (from the south, near Karthaus in Val Senales) — alternative approach from South Tyrol

Practical information

• The route crosses a crevassed glacier — proper equipment and glacier travel experience are essential
• The state border between Austria and Italy runs across the summit
• The nearest hut is the Hochwildehaus on the Austrian side

It's one of those rare peaks where you can literally stand with one foot in Austria and the other in Italy — a fitting reward for the glacier crossing it takes to get there.