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Steirische Kalkspitze: A Limestone Jewel in the Schladminger Tauern

Hike or climb the Steirische Kalkspitze for panoramic views from this unique limestone peak in the Austrian Alps, bordering Styria and Salzburg.

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The Steirische Kalkspitze, a 2,459-meter peak in the Schladminger Tauern, straddles the border of Salzburg and Styria. Its unique limestone composition, contrasting with the surrounding crystalline rock, makes it a popular destination for hikers and climbers seeking panoramic alpine views.

A brief summary to Steirische Kalkspitze

  • Schladming, AT

Local tips

  • The final ascent to Steirische Kalkspitze requires trittsicherheit (surefootedness) and a head for heights. Assess your abilities before attempting the climb.
  • Combine your hike with a visit to the nearby Lungauer Kalkspitze for a more complete experience of the area.
  • Check weather conditions before heading out, as mountain weather can change rapidly.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Steirische Kalkspitze using public transport, take a bus from Schladming to Ursprungalm. From Schladming, Planai buses are available from Planet-Planai (Lendplatz) or Rohrmoos (Rohrmoos-Zentrum) to Ursprungalm. Bus lines 900, 902, 960, 965, and 971 serve Schladming. With the Sommercard, buses 900 (Schladming to Gröbming) and 902 (Schladming to Mandling) are free. From Ursprungalm, follow hiking trails to the Kalkspitze. Bus fare is approximately €2-3.

  • Driving

    To drive to Steirische Kalkspitze, head towards Ursprungalm. From Schladming, take provincial highway L722 through Rohrmoos, then turn right onto Hohenbergstraße. Follow this road to Strickbrücke. Continue on the toll road (Preuneggstraße) past the Preunegg-Jet valley terminal to the Ursprungalm car park. Parking at Ursprungalm costs €7.50 per day with a Sommercard or €13 without. Note that the road to Ursprungalm is a toll road.

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Discover more about Steirische Kalkspitze

The Steirische Kalkspitze, rising to 2,459 meters (8,068 feet), is a prominent peak in the western Schladminger Tauern range of Austria. Situated on the border between Styria and Salzburg, it offers stunning views and a unique geological profile. What sets the Steirische Kalkspitze apart is its composition. Unlike most of the Schladminger Tauern, which are primarily made up of crystalline schists and gneisses, the Kalkspitze consists largely of carbonate rock, specifically dolomite, limestone, and quartzite. This "limestone window" amidst the primary rock creates a distinctive landscape and supports unique alpine flora. The mountain is a popular destination in both summer and winter. Hiking trails lead to the summit, offering panoramic views stretching from the Hohe Tauern and Hochkönig in the west to the Dachstein in the north, the Hochgolling in the east, and the Nockberge in the south. However, the final ascent requires surefootedness and a head for heights. The Steirische Kalkspitze is closely associated with its slightly taller neighbor, the Lungauer Kalkspitze (2,471 m), which lies entirely within Salzburg. The two peaks form the southern end of the Preuneggtal valley and are separated by the Akarscharte, a mountain saddle at 2,315 meters. The Central Alps Trail (Österreichischer Weitwanderweg 02) and the Arnoweg, two well-known long-distance hiking trails in Austria, pass through the Akarscharte, making both Kalkspitze peaks popular climbs. Geological studies have revealed caves near the summit, containing fluvial sediments correlated with the Augenstein Formation, providing insights into the region's uplift history.

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