Graukogel, Mountain summit in Bad Gastein, Austria

Graukogel is a mountain summit in the Ankogel group within the High Tauern range near Bad Gastein. Several marked trails cross its slopes, connecting lower valleys to a mountain hut where hikers rest and refuel.

No first ascent of Graukogel is documented, since the 2,492 m summit is relatively easy to reach from Bad Gastein. The first recorded use for skiing dates to 1908, a race from the Reichebenalm. The first cable car was built in 1946, roughly along the route of today's Graukogellift 1. In 1958 the Alpine World Ski Championships were held here, and in 1979 the Austrian Alpine Ski Championships.

The name likely refers to the grey colour of the rock and the scree field below the summit, both clearly visible on the approach. The mountain's documented history is sporting: a ski race from the Reichebenalm in 1908 is its first recorded use as a ski area, and the Graukogel hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships in 1958.

From the top station of Graukogellift 2, the climb to the summit is rated difficult and takes about 1.5 hours; from Bad Gastein it takes around six hours. The route runs steeply through meadows above the treeline, then over a scree field to a pre-summit and a short ridge. The Gamswild quiet zone may not be entered or skied from 1 December to 31 May.

The first documented use of the Graukogel for skiing was a race from the Reichebenalm in 1908, and the first cable car was built in 1946 roughly along the line of today's Graukogellift 1. The lifts stop near the tree line, well below the 2,492 m summit.