Wildspitze is the highest peak in North Tyrol and the Ötztal Alps, and the second-highest mountain in Austria after the Großglockner. This is a true glacier mountain, crowned by two summits, with views on a clear day stretching from the Valais Alps in the west to the Schober Group in the east.

The mountain has a rocky southern summit topped with a summit cross — now considered the true high point — and a gradually melting, snow-covered northern summit that was once higher. In summer, climbers cross glistening glaciers to reach the top; in winter, the standard route becomes a classic high-altitude ski tour. The Pitztal side has been made easily accessible thanks to the Pitztal Glacier cable car, allowing the summit to be climbed as a day tour.

How to reach the summit

• Vent via the Breslauer Hütte (2,844 m) and Mitterkarjoch (3,468 m) — full-day glacier tour, requires complete glacier equipment, difficulty: demanding
• Taschachhaus via the Taschachferner glacier, or Braunschweiger Hütte / Pitztal Glacier cable car via the Mittelbergjoch — alternative glacier approaches

Practical information

• All standard routes cross glaciers — full glacier travel equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope) is required
• Popular alternatives for experienced climbers include the rocky southeast ridge via the Ötztaler Urkund and the steep north face (50°, roughly 6 pitches of steep ice)
• A summit cross has stood here since 1933, replaced in 2010 by mountain guides from Vent; the original cross was preserved and re-erected near Vent village

For decades the mountain's exact height was disputed, since the melting northern summit was once taller than the rocky southern one — today the southern summit is the undisputed high point.