The Wankspitze Klettersteig is a fantastic traverse along a ridgeline in Austria’s Tyrol region, within the Mieminger mountain range. Ridgeline traverses are my favourite type of via ferratas because they always have the best views-to-effort ratio. If you can brave the long approach route to the start of this via ferrata, you will be rewarded with great views of the entire Mieminger Plateau.
Total round-trip distance
13 kilometres / 8.1 miles
Elevation gain
1030 meters / 3380 feet
Difficulty
Beginner/intermediate B/C
Time required
5.5-7 hours
Overview of the via ferrata
The Wankspitze via ferrata (in German: klettersteig) is located in the Mieminger mountain range in Tyrol, Austria. The route follows a ridgeline between the Stöttltor saddle and the summit of Wankspitze. The majority of the route is of an easy A and B difficulty, but you shouldn’t underestimate it. There are a few spots that might make your head spin, and, difficulty-wise, I found it to be on par with some other via ferratas I’ve done in Tyrol, which were level C.
This route hits close to home, because I’ve been calling the Mieminger plateau, which lies at the foot of the Mieminger range, my home for the past 4 years. I look at the Wankspitze almost daily when I walk my dog, and I’ve been to its summit multiple times.
The only downside of the Wankspitze klettersteig is its long approach. Expect to hike for 2-2.5 hours before you reach the first cables. If you have access to a bike, you can also tackle part of the approach using it.
The map & elevation profile
Important info about the via ferrata
When to go: End of June to October
Via ferrata exposition: North
Map required: Kompass Imst, Telfs, Kühtai, Mieminger Kette
Highest point: Wankspitze 2208 meters / 7244 feet
Parking: Wanderparkplatz Arzkasten
Trailhead: 47.313008, 10.902764
Trail numbers: 22A, 23
Nearest towns: Obsteig, Mieming
Getting there
You can reach the trailhead for the Wankspitze Klettersteig by car or by bus. The time required to reach the trailhead depends on your accommodation’s location and ranges from 10 to 40 minutes.
By bus
During the summer, an additional bus line, Aktiv bus, serves the entire Mieminger plateau. The bus is free of charge with a tourist welcome card, which you will receive at your accommodation. This is a great initiative to limit car traffic and its environmental impact on the plateau, and I encourage everyone to use it.
By car
If you are coming from Obsteig or Mieming, you will have to drive on a gravel forest road for the last couple of kilometres. There is a large parking lot next to the Arzkasten Guest House, ca. 100 meters from the trailhead (see the link above). There is a 5 Euro parking fee. It is possible to pay by card.
Stages of the via ferrata Wankspitze
Approach: Trailhead to Stöttltor via Lehnberghaus
- Distance: 6 kilometres (3.7 miles)
- Elevation gain: 814 meters (2670 feet)
- Time required: 2-2.5 hours
From the trailhead near the Arzkasten guesthouse, follow signs for the Lehnberghaus. For the first few hundred meters, you will share the path with mountain bikers. Eventually, the trail splits, and you will follow a narrow mountain path to the hut. From the hut, continue following the signs for the Wankspitze klettersteig and Stöttltor.
TIP: Part of the approach (until Lehnberghaus) can be done on a mountain bike. There is a gravel road that runs parallel to the hiking path. I marked it on the map.
Via Ferrata Wankspitze:
- Distance: 1.5 kilometres (1 mile)
- Elevation gain: 216 meters (710 feet)
- Time required: 1.5-2 hours
Once you reach the Stöttltor saddle, the first cables will be on your right. The via ferrata part follows an undulating ridgeline between the saddle and the summit. There are a few sections that require downclimbing. On one occasion, we also had to duck under a rock shelf. 3/4 into the route, you will also come across a slightly harder variant that leads to a funky little bench with a view of the surrounding mountains.
Descent Wankspitze summit to trailhead via Lehnberghaus:
- Distance: 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles)
- Elevation loss: 1030 meters (3380 feet)
- Time required: 2-2.5 hours
The descent follows the southern side of the Wanskpitze and is just a pleasant hike. Halfway between the summit and Lehnberghaus, there is a lovely viewing platform and a couple of deckchairs, where you can relax and enjoy the view. Once you reach the hut, the rest of the route back to the trailhead follows the same path, which you used on the approach.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
During both ascent and descent, you will walk by the Lehnberg Haus, a high alpine mountain hut where you can stay overnight or simply stop for a meal. This is a rather quiet hut in a lovely forest setting, right at the foot of Wankspitze. I recommend stopping here on your way down. The hut is usually open from May until late September. Additionaly there is a Guesthouse and restaurant Arzkasten, right near the parking lot.
Where to stay nearby
Mieminger Plateau is a beautiful area that sees far fewer tourists than other places in Tyrol. The Mieminger Plateau, also known as the Sonnenplateau (Sun plateau), is best known for its excellent bike routes and abundant sunshine.
Best Value
A cute Bed & Breakfast right in the centre of Mieming, with its own garden oasis. A great place to stay if you want to be closer to cafès and restaurants.
Top Rated
Holzleiten Bio Wellness Hotel (Obsteig)
I have been to this hotel many times, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to unwind in the spa and quiet surroundings after a day in the mountains. The trailhead to Wankspitze Klettersteig is just 1.6 km (1 mile) away from the hotel.
Other activities nearby
Hikes
- Wankspitze
- Simmering
- Grünberg Traverse
- Alpl Hütte
- Tschirgant
Via ferrata
- Geierwand
- Leite Klettersteig
- Imster Klettersteig
- Hanauer Klettersteig
- Tajakante
- Panorama (Seefeld)
- Adler Klettersteig (Mieming)
- Panorama (Kühtai)
