How steep is the ski station road to Wildkogel?
Wildkogel is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,086 meters (6,843 ft) above sea level located in the Oberpinzgau region of Salzburg, Austria. Located in the Kitzbühel Alps overlooking Bramberg am Wildkogel, the unpaved service road climbs 1,244 vertical meters along ski station infrastructure up to the Wildkogelhaus.
| Road facts: Wildkogel | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bramberg am Wildkogel, Salzburg (Austria) |
| Elevation | 2,086 m (6,843 ft) |
| Length | 12.4 km (7.7 miles) from Bramberg |
| Elevation Gain | 1,244 vertical meters |
| Average Gradient | 10.30% |
| Maximum Gradient | 30% |
| Hairpin Switchbacks | 20 turns |
| Surface | Unpaved loose gravel and coarse rock track |
| Vehicle Requirement | High-clearance 4WD required |
Where is Wildkogel located?
The peak is situated in the Hohe Tauern area of western Salzburg, directly above Bramberg am Wildkogel in the Kitzbühel Alps. The 12.4-kilometer mountain track ascends from the valley floor to the historic Wildkogelhaus refuge at 2,086 meters.
Is the road to Wildkogel paved?
No. The entire 12.4-kilometer track is completely unpaved, consisting of loose gravel, rocky earth, and coarse stone. Functioning as a ski resort service route, the surface is unstable and lacks guardrails along steep, exposed embankments.
How steep is the drive up Wildkogel?
The track climbs 1,244 vertical meters over 12.4 kilometers, producing a sustained average gradient of 10.30% across 20 hairpin switchbacks. The steepest upper ramps reach a extreme 30% incline, causing severe wheel spin on loose rock without low-range 4WD.
When is the road to Wildkogel open?
Due to heavy winter snowpack and ski station operations, the unpaved track is only passable during a narrow summer window, typically opening by late August. Sudden alpine snowstorms and high winds remain major hazards even during summer months.
Pic: Joerg Trierweiler