Samnaungruppe

The namesake for the mountain range is Samnaun, a valley in Switzerland where a Tyrolean dialect with South Bavarian influences is spoken, which you won't hear anywhere else.

Approximately 140 peaks - including some three-thousanders - reach towards the sky here. Some of them slumber in nameless obscurity - they have neither been developed nor explored. The imposing Muttler is certainly not one of them. With its 3,294 meters, it is considered the highest mountain in the Samnaun group and is located on Swiss territory. The ascent of the almost completely glacier-free massif is not exceptionally difficult. In winter, you can also do this very well as part of a ski tour. The most popular and shortest route starts in Samnaun and leads through Val Maisas to Rossboden, further to Roten Seeli and Rossbodenjoch, then over the rather steep north ridge to the summit.

Immediately following the Muttler is the Stammerspitze (3,254 meters) in the order of the highest mountains in the Samnaun group - only about three kilometers in a northwesterly direction. In contrast to its neighbor, the Stammerspitze is less easy to climb and therefore attracts fewer summit stormers. The danger of rockfall makes the undertaking uncomfortable. If you still want to try, the normal route from Zuort in Val Sinestra leads through the Mittlere Couloir to the summit. There is also a ski tour route from Val Sinestra over the north ridge to the peak.

On the Austrian side, the Vesulspitze (3,089 meters) wins the race for the highest mountain and is at the same time the highest peak of the northern ridge in the north of the Samnaun group. However, because its slate rock is very brittle, it tends to form a lot of scree, reducing the joy of climbing. For those who are not deterred by this, the ascent from Ischgl via the Velillalpe and the southwest flank is recommended. Gradual climbing is necessary, as the ground can only support two or at most three people at the same time, and dodging dislodged rocks in the gully is hardly possible.

Also in the northern ridge lies the Hexenkopf (3,035 meters) between the Paznaun Valley and the Upper Inn Valley. The Hexenseehütte located at the Hexensee is an important stopover for those who have set their sights on reaching the summit. Operated from early July to late September, the hut warden offers not only sleeping places and half board, but also accompanies climbers to the surrounding peaks as an experienced mountain guide. The hut can be reached from the Lazid mountain station in three hours. There is also a mountain bike trail leading to the destination.

In the Tyrolean part, you will also find the Ascher Hütte under the Blankakopf and the Kölner Haus as suitable shelters for long-distance hikers. The 1,270 km long Central Alpine Trail 02 (from Feldkirch to Hainburg on the Danube) runs through the Samnaun group in an easy and high alpine route.

In winter, snow fun arrives in the Silvretta Arena near Ischgl, at the Medrigjoch near See in the Paznaun Valley, and in the popular ski area of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (with cable cars over several valleys).