Großer Weitschartenkopf, Mountain summit in Unken, Austria

Großer Weitschartenkopf is a mountain in the northern limestone Alps that rises to 1979 meters and forms part of the Reiter Alm range. The peak consists of solid rock faces and drops steeply toward the Saalach Valley.

The Großer Weitschartenkopf belongs to the Reiter Alm in the Berchtesgaden Alps, whose northern limestone beds were folded and uplifted during the Alpine orogeny. Its summit reaches 1979 m above sea level, while the Kleine Weitschartenkopf, about 500 m to the northeast on German soil, stands at 1930 m. The mountain lies in Salzburg, close to the Bavarian border.

The mountain sits on the border between Austria and Bavaria and shapes the landscape of both regions. Many hikers visit the summit because it shows where two different Alpine areas meet.

Hikers follow a marked trail from Neue Traunsteiner Hütte and need about 90 minutes to reach the summit. The terrain on the plateau is exposed and windy conditions are possible, so bring appropriate clothing and protection.

From the summit the Saalach valley lies directly below, with the main village of Schneizlreuth visible in it. On very clear days the view reaches north to the heights of the Bavarian Forest, roughly 200 kilometres away. The Kleine Weitschartenkopf, 1930 m high, lies about 500 metres to the northeast on the German side and has no marked paths.