Hochgasser is a 2922-metre peak rising along the main ridge of the High Tauern, in the Granatspitze range on the border between East Tyrol and Salzburg. Known as the home mountain of the St. Pöltner Hütte, it offers hikers a rewarding taste of high alpine terrain without requiring advanced climbing skills.

The mountain takes its name from a narrow gully (Gasse) on its western flank. It sits between the Weinbichl to the northwest and the Bärenköpfe to the south, separated from them by the Alter Tauern pass and the Bratschenscharte notch respectively. To the west, a broad ridge descends gently toward the Alter Tauern, while the eastern side, known as the Hintere Bratschen, drops steeply into the Amertal valley. From the summit, views open across the rugged, glacier-carved core of the Granatspitze group — a landscape that feels remote and wild in every season, whether under summer sun or winter snow.

How to reach the summit

• St. Pöltner Hütte — via the Alter Tauern pass to the west ridge, a few hours, moderate difficulty (short secured sections, UIAA I)
• Ridge traverse from the Hörndl via the Bratschenscharte, more demanding (UIAA II)
• East ridge (Ostsporn) starting from the north portal of the Felbertauern tunnel — a demanding climb, partly UIAA V

Practical information

• The St. Pöltner Hütte serves as the natural base for the ascent
• The standard route includes short secured rock passages
• The east ridge route is for experienced climbers only, with technically demanding sections

The first ridge traverses to the Bärenkopf and the Hörndl are believed to have been made by Roman Majewski and companions around 1923.