Großer Sonnblick

The summit is located about in a distance of 18 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of Gmünd and ca. 8.5 km (5.3 mi) northeast of the Hochalmspitze. The normal ascent route that is quite flat in the upper stages from the Gmünder Hut, is not difficult when conditions are dry and free of snow, but it is quite tiring to climb due to the large difference in height that has to be over come (some 1,900 metres). As there are no signposts or markings, good orientation is needed for this tour. In good weather there is an outstanding view from the top to the Großer Hafner (3,076 m above sea level (AA)) and the Hochalmspitze (3,360 m above sea level (AA)).

The Großer Sonnblick has a prominence of 133 m (436 ft) and an isolation of 2,820 m (9,250 ft) to the Großer Hafner.[1]

The normal route takes about 5–6 hours from the Gmünder Hut (1,185 m above sea level (AA)) initially along a forest track to the unmanaged Ochsen Hut (1,884 m above sea level (AA)), then over the footbridge of a stream (from here level) northwards across grassy slopes, steep in places to an alm bottom near the lake of Kleiner Melniksee. Next the route heads northwest through a blockfield up to a cirque south of the 'Middle Sonnblick, over a steep, scree slope into a col and finally in a southwesterly direction along the rocky summit ridge (sure-footedness needed) to the highest point.

The Großer (centre) and Mittlerer Sonnblick (right), seen from the south

East of the Großer Sonnblick lies the sub-peak of Mittlerer Sonnblick (3,000 m). The two summits are linked by a ridge that can be negotiated without the need for climbing.