Sonnenjoch, Mountain summit in Kitzbühel Alps, Austria
Sonnenjoch is a 2,292-metre summit in the Kitzbühel Alps of Tyrol, also called Sonnjoch. Its summit marks the meeting point of three districts (Kitzbühel, Kufstein, Schwaz) and five municipalities: Alpbach, Hart im Zillertal, Hopfgarten im Brixental, Stummerberg and Wildschönau. It lies between the Alpbachtal, Wildschönau, Kelchsau and the Zillertal's Märzengrund.
The mountain routes crossing Sonnenjoch developed during early exploration of the Kitzbühel Alps as pathways connecting several Austrian valleys. These routes played an important role in trade and transport between the region's communities.
The name Sonnenjoch is also used in the short form Sonnjoch. The summit marks a triple border: the districts of Kitzbühel, Kufstein and Schwaz meet here, and the municipal areas of Alpbach, Hart im Zillertal, Hopfgarten im Brixental, Stummerberg and Wildschönau all converge at this point.
The ascent from Inneralpbach parking takes about three and a half hours and passes mountain huts where walkers can stop for breaks. It is wise to start early in the day and come prepared for changeable weather at altitude.
The plateau at the top is unusually flat and offers enough room for several groups to rest at the same time without getting in each other's way. This rare quality makes the summit a place where visitors can linger longer than on most other peaks.
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