Großer Löffler, Mountain summit at Zillertal Alps, Austria
Großer Löffler is a summit in the Zillertal Alps standing at 3,379 meters on the border between Austria and Italy. Granite cliffs and steep slopes define the mountain's physical structure.
The first ascent was made on 12 September 1843 by the mining scientist and geologist Markus Vincent Lipold, guided by the Mayrhofen chamois hunter Georg Schneider, from Ginzling through the Floitengrund over the south ridge. That south ridge is still regarded as the normal route. Early 19th-century literature widely held that the Löffler was the highest mountain in Tyrol.
The name Großer Löffler is recorded from around 1840 and derives from the Löffelkar, the bowl-shaped cirque at its foot, named for its spoon-like form. The Italian name Monte Lovello is a phonetic adaptation of the German term, introduced by the Italian nationalist Ettore Tolomei.
The climb requires advanced mountaineering skills and experience with exposed terrain. Access is typically from Mayrhofen in Austria or Ahrntal in South Tyrol, depending on your chosen route.
Early 19th-century literature widely held that the Löffler was the highest mountain in Tyrol, an error corrected by later surveys. The Italian name Lovello is a phonetic adaptation of the German term, introduced by the nationalist Ettore Tolomei.
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