Mittagskogel

2,145 m

Austria, Slovenia

Also known as Mittagskogel / Kepa, Kepa

Mittagskogel / Kepa · Kepa

Elevation: 2,145 m
Prominence: 706 m
Difficulty: 3/10; Mountain hike
Best Season: Sep–Oct
Routes: 1

Routes

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SACT3HikeNormal route

Sources differ: T2/T3 (Camptocamp (Hornerweg))

The usual way up the Karawanks landmark above the Faaker See: from the barrier car park on the Kopein forest road (about 1,180 m) to the Bertahütte (1,527 m), then on well-marked path 680 round the foot of the mountain and steeply up rock steps and scree on the east side and south-east ridge to the border summit. About 1,000 m and 3 hours up; steep but never technically difficult.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 17.5 km; one way
Ascent: +1,718 m; −107 m lost on the way up
High Point: 2,145 m
Time Up: 8h 07m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 6h 16m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From Ledenitzen (Hotel Mittagskogel) drive towards Kopein and follow signs for the Bertahütte up a rough forest road (about 15 minutes, good ground clearance helps) to the car park at the barrier, about 1,180–1,200 m. Bikes are also only allowed as far as the barrier. A forest path or the road leads to the Bertahütte (1,527 m) in about 50 minutes. Without a car, walk from Ledenitzen station or the Hotel Mittagskogel bus stop in about 2½ hours via Illitsch Rauth on path 680. From the hut walk 3 minutes to the Ferlacher Sattel, where the well-marked path to the Mittagskogel forks half left. It first runs south round the foot of the mountain through open forest and dwarf pine, then turns south-west and climbs steeply over rock steps and scree; about 600 m of height are gained in 2 km. A few smooth slabs early on are unpleasant when wet. Shortly below the top the path reaches the Slovenian border and a junction; turn right for the summit, with border stone XXVI/214 at the highest point (2,143 m on Slovenian maps) and the cross a little to the north above the north face. About 2 hours from the hut. Descend the same way; about 4¾–5 hours return from the car park. The north-east ridge from the Ferlacher Sattel (UIAA I–II, unmarked, unprotected) and the north-west ridge along the border from the former Annahütte are harder alternatives; from Slovenia a demanding marked path climbs from Dovje.

Start

Bertahütte car park531 m

Train to Ledenitzen (about 2½ hours on foot to the Bertahütte), or bus 5194 (Villach – Drobollach – Latschach – Fürnitz – Villach) to Hotel Mittagskogel in Ledenitzen.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Bertahütte car park → Mittagskogel	17.5	1,718	107	8h 07m

Waypoints

Parking:
Bertahütte car park531 m
About 20 spaces; rough gravel road; position not verified on OSM
Hut:
Bertahütte1,525 m
Col:
Ferlacher Sattel1,509 m
Summit:
Mittagskogel2,145 m

Key Passages

Ferlacher Sattel
Smooth slabs low on the ascent (slippery when wet)
Steep rock steps and scree on the east side
Border junction and short south-east ridge to the summit

Equipment

0/5 packed

Footwear

Hiking boots with good gripsteep scree, rock steps and smooth slabsRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersthunderstorms and fogRequired

Hut & Camping

Hut sleeping bagonly if staying at the BertahütteRequired

Other

Waterno water above the BertahütteRequired
Trekking polessteep descent on screeRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 78%

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Overview

The pyramid-shaped landmark of the western Karawanks, seen from Villach and the Faaker See, on the Austrian–Slovenian border. A marked path from the Bertahütte climbs steeply over scree and rock steps to the summit in about 2 hours, with views to Triglav and the Hohe Tauern.

The Mittagskogel (2,145 m; Slovenian Kepa, Carinthian Slovene Jepa) is one of the highest peaks of the western Karawanks, on the border between Carinthia and Slovenia above Latschach am Faaker See and Dovje in the Sava Dolinka valley. Its steep north face gives it a distinctive pointed shape from the Carinthian lakes and Villach; the name, a typical 'noon peak', comes from its position due south of Rosegg Castle. The border runs along the Drava–Sava watershed over the top: border stone XXVI/214 marks the highest point and the cross stands a little to the north at the top of the north face. The summit is built of brittle Hauptdolomit and thick-bedded Dachstein limestone.

The normal route from the Austrian side is a steep but technically easy marked path from the Bertahütte of the ÖAV Villach section; it gains about 600 m in 2 km on rock steps and scree. Harder lines follow the north-east ridge (I–II) and the north-west border ridge over the Kleiner Mittagskogel (1,815 m), and a demanding marked path climbs the Slovenian side from Dovje.

The summit view covers the Julian Alps with Triglav, the Dolomites, the Gail and Drava valleys, Villach and the Hohe Tauern on the horizon.

Climbing Notes

Sure-footedness and fitness for about 1,000 m of steep ascent are needed; there is no climbing on the normal route, but the slabs low down are slippery when wet and the scree is loose. Thunderstorms, fog and rockfall are the main hazards. Allow about 5 hours return from the barrier car park, or 7–8 hours from Ledenitzen without a car.

The Bertahütte is a good base for a sunrise ascent; book the dormitory online. The north-east ridge, approached from the Ferlacher Sattel, is an unmarked, unprotected steep path with climbing moves and only for experienced scramblers.

Season

Best Sep–Oct

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Not advisable
April: Possible
May: Possible
June: Best
July: Good
August: Good
September: Best (best window)
October: Best (best window)
November: Possible
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter; steep avalanche-prone slopes
Feb: Winter conditions
Mar: Winter conditions
Apr: Snow on the upper slopes
May: Hut opens in May in good weather; old snow possible high up
Jun: Good; hut open daily in good weather
Jul: Hot; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Hot; afternoon thunderstorms
Sep: Often stable and clear
Oct: Clear autumn days; hut open in good weather
Nov: Before the first lasting snow only
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Bertahütte: online reservation compulsory via alpsonline.org (same-day bookings until 10:00); 32 dormitory places; hut sleeping bag compulsory.

Rules

Cars and bikes only as far as the barrier on the forest road; the landowner prohibits riding on to the Bertahütte

Getting There

Ledenitzen / Latschach (Finkenstein am Faaker See); Villach

Klagenfurt (KLU); Ljubljana (LJU)

By car: A11 exit St. Niklas towards the Faaker See via Drobollach and Egg to Ledenitzen; at the Hotel Mittagskogel junction turn left, after about 100 m right towards Kopein, then follow signs to the barrier car park (rough forest road, about 15 minutes)
From Vienna/Graz/Klagenfurt: A2 exit Velden West, via Rosegg to Ledenitzen
Train to Ledenitzen station (about 2½ hours on foot to the hut) or bus 5194 from Villach to Hotel Mittagskogel

Hazards

Rockfall
Weather
Exposure

Huts & Shelters

BertahütteHutStaffedBooking required
32 beds · May to October, open daily in good weather (closed to day visitors in bad weather)
Book Bertahütte Website of Bertahütte
1,527 m