Overview
Geographical Classification : Eastern Alps > Carnic Alps > Carnic Alps Main Ridge (West) > Hollbrucker Spitze
Hollbrucker Spitze (Cima di Pontegrotto in Italian) is one of the westernmost summits of the Carnic Alps Main Ridge. In fact you will find Helm, Füllhorn and Hochgruben farther west, but all these summits are rather smooth hills which barely draw your attention. Hollbrucker Spitze is no exception but together with its side summit Hollbrucker Eck, which is located some 500m to the north it forms a very fine ridge with an exposed traverse - quite fun, if exposure isn't a problem for you. The ridge goes on to the north towards Zenzer Spitze and is the first (or westernmost) northern side ridge of the Carnic Alps.
The main attraction of Hollbrucker Spitze is its closeness to the Sexten Dolomites. On a fine day you have a fine close-up view of Elferkofel, Cima Bagni, Dreischusterspitze and Haunold. To the north the view reaches far into the Hohe Tauern Range, to the northeast the Lienz Dolomites show their vertical faces. Our own climb to the mountain was a little disappointing - though the Sexten Dolomites were at our fingertips we only saw single parts through the clouds which kept rolling over the ridge.
Being located on the border between Austria and Italy Hollbrucker Spitze and the surrounding summits are located on the Word War I frontline. On both sides of the border the trails still exist, over which the supplies were carried to the front positions. In fact the whole area is a web of trails: One running along the Austrian side, one running along the Italian side and one running along the border. The first two often touch upon fortifications from the war, ruined forts, caves and trenches. At Hochgränten Pass (see the corresponding route) there is a war cemetery - the highest one in the Alps (2429m) - overlooking a heart shaped lake. Here Austrian and Hungarian soldiers have been buried with their pioneer equipment on display.
Getting There