Großelendkopf, Alpine summit in Malta, Austria

Großelendkopf is the second-highest peak of the Ankogel Group at 3,317 m, after the 3,360 m Hochalmspitze. It lies in the municipality of Malta, east of Mallnitz in Carinthia. The Großelendkees glacier lies north of the summit, the Hochalmkees east and the Winkelkees west; from the Osnabrücker Hütte the peak forms the head of the Großelend valley.

The first recorded ascent was in 1859. In 1894 C. Arnold and the mountain guide Gfrerer opened the Arnoldweg through the west and south-west flanks, rated UIAA grade II on firn. The peak was long regarded as a subsidiary summit of the Hochalmspitze, 3,360 m, before being counted as the second-highest mountain of the Ankogel Group.

The name Elend refers to remote, secluded terrain, formerly called Ali lanti in local usage. The Großelendkopf forms the head of the Großelend valley above the Großelendkees, and the Osnabrücker Hütte there serves as the starting point for climbs over the Preimlscharte. The Arnoldweg on the west and southwest flanks was found in 1894 by C. Arnold with the mountain guide Gfrerer.

Climbing this peak requires technical gear including ropes, carabiners, and ice axes for the steeper sections. Good acclimatization and prior alpine experience are needed before attempting the most demanding passages.

The Großelendkopf was long treated as a secondary summit of the Hochalmspitze, 0.4 km away and 43 m higher. The first ascent is recorded for 1859. The name Elend refers to remote country, once called Ali lanti. The Arnoldweg on the west and southwest flanks was found in 1894 by C. Arnold with the guide Gfrerer.