Polleskogel Peaks

Trentino-Alto Adige

Two superb peaks in the Oetztal Alps, offering an easy tick for two 3000m summits in one day.

Alpine Climbing Moderate

Distance: 3.4 km
Ascent: 404 m
Descent: 404 m

Low Point: 2.7 km
High Point: 3 km
Gradient: 21˚

Start from the Tiefenbachgletscher parking area at the end of the Gletscherstraße from Sölden and follow the path north-west for 20 minutes, indicated by red and white paint markers, until you reach the bottom of a rock buttress. Here you will see “911” painted low on the rock, and again slightly higher up. Here the route really begins, starting with some slightly exposed sections which are protected by metal chains.

Beautiful views from the summit ridge on a snowy October day Photo: Charlie Boscoe

Description

Follow these chains for 10 minutes to reach the Pollesjoch Col. From here descend briefly to the start of some more chains before starting to ascend again. Follow this path for 5 minutes to the Geigenkam ridge, which marks the middle point between the 2 Polleskogel summits. To the right is the Südlicher (southern) Polleskogel (sometimes marked as the Pollesfernerkopf) and the summit is reached via a short scramble, which is relatively easy yet quite exposed with no protection, so not for the faint-hearted.

From the summit, descend back to where the chains gave way to the ridge and continue along the Geigenkam ridge, heading for the Nordlicher (Northern) Polleskogel, the summit of which is just a 10 minute walk along an easy path. The scenery throughout the hike is spectacular and from both summits the views across the glaciers of the Sölden ski area are truly superb.

To descend, retrace your steps back to the Tiefenbachgletscher parking area, or alternatively it is possible to extend the route by descending via the Pollental valley, thus starting and finishing in different places rather than a there and back route.