Ice climbing in Tyrol's Kaunertal

The colder, the better!

If you want to go up a mountain, there's nothing stopping you here in the Kaunertal - even in winter!

Who, apart from skiers, is looking forward to temperatures below freezing? Ice climbers, of course. This sport not only attracts experienced mountain climbers, but also an increasing number of courageous holidaymakers, too.

Strap on your crampons, grab your ice axe, and take on icy glacier walls and frozen waterfalls — are you ready for this ultimate alpine challenge?

The top 3 ice climbing routes in the Kaunertal

Fear of Lust, the Yellow River, and the Twisted Thread. Wondering what that's all about? These are the (translated) evocative names of three of the best ice climbing routes in the Tyrolean natural park and glacier region:

  • Angst vor Lust (Fear of Lust): free-hanging icicles, demanding and above all mentally challenging, with a 130 m ice fall, difficulty 3 to 6, and 15 minute ascent
  • Der gelbe Fluss (the Yellow River): A rather short, but exhausting route with ice columns of up to 20 m high, 130 m high, and difficulty level WI 5
  • Der Zwirn (Twisted Thread): challenging, 160 m high, difficulty level 6, 30-minute ascent, descent on bolts or Abalakov threads

 

Ready for a demanding challenge on the ice? If you're not quite there yet, the Kaunertal pros will have you ice climbing in no time!

© TVB Tiroler Oberland-Kaunertal-Florian Schranz

Safe climbing with Kaunertal expertise

Whatever the season, the Kaunertal mountain guides are ready to take you on your next adventure! Find out about the extensive weekly programme of alpine courses and individual tours. Another go-to address for ice climbing is the Top Alpin School run by Florian Schranz. They offer basic and speciality courses and training in modern ice- and mixed-climbing. Costs are around €300 per course.

Want to read up on ice climbing in detail? The Kaunertal Tourist Information Office has an ice climbing guide for the entire Tyrolean Oberland. It includes a practical guide to the routes and detailed descriptions of the individual ice falls.

© TVB Tiroler Oberland-Kaunertal-Annalena Walch

The ice falls in the nature park and glacier region at a glance

With more than 20 frozen waterfalls and routes ranging from beginner to expert, the Kaunertal nature park and glacier region has something for every ice climber — whatever your level of experience, you're guaranteed to find a route to fall in love with. Take a sneak peek right here: 

© TVB Tiroler Oberland-Kaunertal-Annalena Walch

Bouldering gym Kaunertal/Quellalpin with Kilterboard

A state-of-the-art bouldering gym with a kilter board covers an area of more than 120m². The app-controlled Kilterboard connects to a global database filled with at least 40,000 bouldering problems.

The Kaunertal is a climber's paradise not only in winter, but all year round.

Climbing is not only a cold, icy affair — for many sports enthusiasts, it is just as much a summer passion. The "Climbers Paradise" platform is Tyrol's hotspot for all fans of mountain climbing. Not only the Kaunertal, but also the sister regions Tyrolean Oberland and Nauders are a part of this huge climbing community. Why wait? Visit THE holiday region of choice for all mountain climbers!  

© TVB Tiroler Oberland-Kaunertal-Annalena Walch
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