Mittagskogel, Mountain summit in Ötztal Alps, Austria

Mittagskogel is a mountain summit in the Ötztal Alps reaching 3,159 meters elevation in Tyrol's Imst District. The peak displays limestone cliffs and rocky ridges with established hiking routes crossing alpine meadows and scree fields on its flanks.

The name Mittagskogel comes from the mountain's position: the Pitztal runs exactly north from the peak, so for villages in the inner valley the sun stands directly over it at noon. The route was shortened by the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn, whose tunnel passes through the mountain; from the Pitzexpress station at 2,840 m the summit is about an hour away.

The name Mittagskogel follows a common Alpine pattern: because the Pitztal runs exactly north from the peak, the midday sun stands directly above it for villages in the inner valley. The same name recurs on many Alpine summits that mark noon for the settlements below.

The mountain is best visited during warmer months when snow melts and trails become passable and safe. Visitors should bring proper hiking boots and be prepared for changing weather conditions at higher elevations.

The Pitztal runs exactly north from the Mittagskogel, so from every village in the inner valley the sun stands directly above the peak at midday — the reason for its name. The 3,159 m summit also hides the higher Weißkamm peaks behind it when seen from the valley end.