Rote Spitze, Mountain peak in East Tyrol, Austria

Rote Spitze is a mountain summit in the Villgraten range at 2,956 meters elevation, situated in the Defereggen Alps near the Austrian-Italian border. The peak rises prominently above the Innervillgraten valley and shapes the landscape's profile.

The sources record no first ascent date or climber for the Rote Spitze. What they do document is a naming dispute: Austria's Federal Office of Metrology and Survey places the Rote Spitze as the western, 2,956 m summit, while residents of the Defereggen Valley hold that the names are reversed and that the Rote Spitze is the higher eastern peak.

The names of the Rote Spitze and its eastern neighbour Weiße Spitze are disputed. Austria's Federal Office of Metrology and Survey places the Rote Spitze at 2,956 m as the western summit, while residents of the Defereggen Valley hold that the names are reversed and that the Rote Spitze is the higher, eastern peak.

From the Villgratental side the route runs via the Oberstalleralm at 1,883 m and the Gschrittlenke at 2,738 m; from the Defereggen Valley it passes the Brugger Alm (1,818 m) and Ragötzlalm (2,115 m). The final 150 metres below the summit reach climbing grade I+, with individual spots secured by steel cable. Sure-footedness is essential.

The two summits' names are disputed: the Federal Office of Metrology and Survey places the Rote Spitze as the western, lower peak at 2,956 m, while Defereggen Valley residents hold that the names are swapped and the Rote Spitze is the eastern, higher one at 2,962 m.