Kirchdach

Overview

Also known as Kirchdachspitze.
Mighty limestone mountain with steep walls towards north and south. Looks like a roof of a church. Frequently climbed. It can be climbed from the Padasterhochhaus (Gschnitz valley) or from the Pinnis valley (Stubai valley). Climbers should be free from giddiness. Nevertheless the easiest ascent is a easy scrambling, difficult steps are secured with fixed ropes (as to information in the internet newly fixed in 2001).

Red Tape

No fees, no permissions. Highways in Italy and Austria can be used only when a fee is paid. An *additional* fee has to be paid for the Brenner-Autobahn from Innsbruck to Brenner).

When To Climb

From May til September. It might be much harder, when a lot of snow is lying.

Camping

The whole area is a national park which prohibits camping, possibly bivouaking is allowed. Sleeping is of course possible in the surrounding huts.
Camping might be possible in Volderau (some kilometers from Neustift im Stubaital), which is useful when an ascent from the Pinnistal is planned.

Mountain Conditions

Information should be available from the Padasterjochhaus: Tel.: +(A) 5276 / 204 (open from 20.6 - 30.9.; homepage)

Information on alpine weather is found here: Wetter

Getting There

Route from Trins:
From Innsbruck in Austria you take the highway towards Brenner (italian/austrian border) or even better the country road (which cost no toll) until you reach Steinach (in Tyrol). A small valley to Gschnitz branches westwards. Go there until Trins where parking is possible. Northward goes a trail (Signed, No 122) to the Padasterjochhaus, which is reached within 2-3 h (2232 m). From there - again on a signed route - you go westwards towards the summit within 2h.
Route from the Pinnisalm:
The Pinnisalm is within the Stubai valley. No further information since I never did this.

Guides, Books, Maps

The recommended guide is the "Alpenvereinsführer" "Stubaier Alpen - alpin" by Walter Klier (Bergverlag Rother)
A guide describing various climbing routes in this area is written by Andreas Orgler: STUBAIER ALPEN - Fels & Eis
A good map is sold by freytag & berndt (Innsbruck Stubai - Sellrain Brenner 1:50000, WK241).
The Alpenverein map is only in 1:50000 scale for this region and thus not significantly useful.

Tourist Information

Tourist information can be found here:
tourist information Steinach Trins Gschnitz

Climbing - Ice Climbing

Several climbing routes ranging from IV to VII (A0) (UIAA) and waterfall climbing routes (above the Pinnis valley) are described in Orglers book (vide supra).

External Links

• Austrian Map online
  Online digital maps of Austria (OEK 50, OEK 200 and OEK 500) by the BEV (Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen) - in German
  

Images

View Kirchdach Image Gallery - 4 Images