Breitspitz

The Breitspitz is a subsidiary summit of the Hochgründeck in the Fritztaler Mountains, part of the Salzburger Schieferalpen. It stands 1 804 m above sea level and forms the northern ridge of the Hochgründeck massif, which stretches between Iglsbach and Raidlgraben. The ridge turns east at the Breitspitz, continues to the Schroffkoppen and then drops steeply to the Iglsbach stream. At the northern foot lie the villages of Alpfahrt and Fritzerberg, while Iglsbach sits at the eastern base. The summit itself marks the boundary between the municipalities of Bischofshofen and Hüttau.

The Breitspitz is unusual because, unlike many peaks, it remains wooded all the way to the top. Only in the final metres does a dry clearing open up, revealing wide views across the limestone High Alps. To the north the eye follows the Hochkönig, Tennengebirge and Dachstein, while to the south the main Alpine crest and the Hohe and Niedere Tauern rise against the sky. Geologically the mountain belongs to the Grauwackenzone, a narrow strip of ancient Palaeozoic slates sandwiched between the Central and Limestone Alps.

Reaching the summit is straightforward from the Heinrich-Kiener-Haus on the Hochgründeck summit via the Hofersattel. The Hofersattel can also be reached by the Friedensweg from Bischofshofen and Kreuzberg and by a pilgrim trail from Hüttau that passes Iglsbach and the Klammalm. From the Hofersattel a short spur leads to the Breitspitz, after which further routes continue unmarked across its flanks. The lower slopes are criss-crossed by forest tracks that make good mountain-biking terrain, though the summit itself sees few visitors.