Ellmauer Tor
Encyclopedia
The Ellmauer Tor is a 2,000-metre high rock saddle in the middle of the Kaisergebirge
in the Austrian state of Tyrol
.
It is the deepest saddle on the main ridge of the Wilder Kaiser between the Ostkaisers Ackerlspitze
in the East Kaiser and the Ellmauer Halt
in the Central Kaiser mountains. Because there is a well-used route acroos the Ellmauer Tor with its unique setting, it is often referred to as the "heart of the Kaiser". From the south, seen from the general direction of Ellmau
or Going
, it is the distinctive notch in the Kaisergebirge between the Karlspitzen
and the Goinger Halt
.
through the Steinerne Rinne to the Ellmauer Tor. For this route Alpine experience, secure footing and no fear of heights are indispensable, even though it is well safeguarded. No less popular is the way from the south, from the Wochenbrunner Alm either via the Gaudeamus Hut
or via the Grutten Hut
and the Jubiläumssteig to Ellmauer Tor. This route is easier, but very exposed to the sun. The Tor has an amazing panorama of the surrounding rock scenery and a view south to the High Tauern, the highest mountains in Austria. It is also the starting point for ascents of the Goinger Halt and Karlspitzen.
In winter, the climb through the Kübel cirque (Kübelkar) is one of the most popular ski tours
in the region .
Kaisergebirge
The Kaisergebirge is a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps and Eastern Alps. It consists of two main mountain ridges – the Zahmer Kaiser to the north and the Wilder Kaiser to the south. The entire range is situated in the Austrian state of Tyrol between the town of Kufstein and the...
in the Austrian state of Tyrol
Tyrol (state)
Tyrol is a state or Bundesland, located in the west of Austria. It comprises the Austrian part of the historical region of Tyrol.The state is split into two parts–called North Tyrol and East Tyrol–by a -wide strip of land where the state of Salzburg borders directly on the Italian province of...
.
It is the deepest saddle on the main ridge of the Wilder Kaiser between the Ostkaisers Ackerlspitze
Ackerlspitze
At 2,329 metres above sea level, the Ackerlspitze is the second highest peak in the Kaisergebirge range in the east of the Austrian state of Tyrol. The mountain is located in the eastern part of the range, also referred to as the Ostkaiser or East Kaiser. To the east it is flanked by the...
in the East Kaiser and the Ellmauer Halt
Ellmauer Halt
The Ellmauer Halt is the highest peak in the mountain massif of the Wilder Kaiser in the Kaisergebirge range in the Austrian state of Tyrol. To the east is the summit of the Kapuzenturm, a striking and isolated rock pinnacle...
in the Central Kaiser mountains. Because there is a well-used route acroos the Ellmauer Tor with its unique setting, it is often referred to as the "heart of the Kaiser". From the south, seen from the general direction of Ellmau
Ellmau
Ellmau is a municipality in the district of Kufstein in the Austrian region of Sölllandl. It can be found 12 km southeast of Kufstein as well as 9 km west of Sankt Johann in Tirol. It is located at an elevation of 820 m above sea level. It has a population of 2,660 on an area of...
or Going
Going am Wilden Kaiser
Going am Wilden Kaiser is a municipality in the district of Kitzbühel in the Austrian region of Sölllandl. It is located 8.5 km northwest of Kitzbühel and 5 km west of Sankt Johann in Tirol. The village has 1851 inhabitants, 5 sub-districts and was mentioned as Gouwingen for the first time in 1160....
, it is the distinctive notch in the Kaisergebirge between the Karlspitzen
Karlspitzen
The Karlspitzen is a twin-peaked mountain in the middle of the Kaisergebirge range of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria. The two peaks are the northern Hinteren Karlspitze and the southern Vorderen Karlspitze with its summit cross; they are linked by a sharp, exposed, rocky arête...
and the Goinger Halt
Goinger Halt
The Goinger Halt is a mountain in the Kaisergebirge range in the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria. It has a double summit: a northern summit to the rear, the Hinterer Goinger Halt , and a higher, southern peak in front, the Vorderer Goinger Halt...
.
Routes
The Ellmauer Tor is the most important and most frequently used crossing in the Wilder Kaiser. On clear summer's days countless climbers walk through here. The most famous way leads from the north, from the StripsenjochhausStripsenjochhaus
The Stripsenjochhaus is an Alpine club hut owned by the Kufstein branch of the Austrian Alpine Club in the Kaisergebirge mountain range in the Austrian state of Tyrol.- Location :...
through the Steinerne Rinne to the Ellmauer Tor. For this route Alpine experience, secure footing and no fear of heights are indispensable, even though it is well safeguarded. No less popular is the way from the south, from the Wochenbrunner Alm either via the Gaudeamus Hut
Gaudeamus Hut
The Gaudeamus Hut is an Alpine club hut in the Kaisergebirge mountains in Tyrol. It is run by the Main-Spessart section of the German Alpine Club.- Location :...
or via the Grutten Hut
Grutten Hut
The Grutten Hut is an Alpine club hut in the Kaisergebirge in Tyrol in Austria. It is owned by the Turner Alps Kränzchen Section of the German Alpine Club.- Location :...
and the Jubiläumssteig to Ellmauer Tor. This route is easier, but very exposed to the sun. The Tor has an amazing panorama of the surrounding rock scenery and a view south to the High Tauern, the highest mountains in Austria. It is also the starting point for ascents of the Goinger Halt and Karlspitzen.
In winter, the climb through the Kübel cirque (Kübelkar) is one of the most popular ski tours
Ski touring
Ski touring is a form of backcountry skiing involving traveling over the winter landscape on skis under human power rather than through the assistance of ski lifts or snow vehicles. It can take place in terrain ranging from perfectly flat to extremely steep...
in the region .