Boulderführer Alpen en bloc - Band 2: Österreich - Südtirol

Scope and coverage

This second volume of Alpen en bloc concentrates on Austria and South Tyrol, stitching together marquee alpine bouldering and quieter local gems into a single, road‑trip‑friendly arc. Areas include:

• Silvapark, Kaunertal, Pitztal, Zillertal, Felbertauern, Maltatal, Saalachtal, Upper & Lower Austria
• South Tyrol: Aufhofen, Gais, Pojen, Tobl, Schwarzbachalm, Algund

The selection balances big names with out‑of‑the‑way valleys and roadside circuits, making it useful both for destination weeks and opportunistic stopovers between mountain days.

Structure and mapping

The layout is clean and consistent: each sector opens with access directions, parking guidance, and a one‑glance info bar (season, altitude, aspect, landing quality, child‑friendliness, and approach time). Overview sketches tie sectors together; detailed photo‑topos mark start holds and line paths with unobtrusive symbols. Grade spread charts and a “classics” pick list help you prioritize quickly on short visits. Developers are credited (“Haupterschließer”), a thoughtful touch for ethics‑minded climbers.

On the rock

The sample chapter for Zillertal’s Magic Place captures the book’s strengths: precise directions to a small riverside island, a safety note about high water, quick‑dry guidance, and problems plotted clearly across blocks. Rock character is described succinctly (e.g., sculpted gneiss with positive edges), and grades run from friendly sixes to hard eights, with traverses and variants documented rather than hand‑waved. This level of detail is repeated across the volume, giving both first‑time visitors and grade‑chasers enough to build full days without app‑hopping.

Practicalities and audience

Approach times, toll‑road notes, and parking etiquette are spelled out, reducing the chance of access hiccups in sensitive valleys. The photography is functional but inviting; it shows landings, river proximity, and tree cover as well as movements. The only caveat is physical heft: this is a comprehensive field guide rather than a pocket booklet, so plan pack space accordingly.

Verdict

A meticulous, field‑ready bouldering guide to Austria and South Tyrol that blends big‑ticket venues with lesser‑known circuits, presented through clear topos, smart icons, and practical logistics. For traveling boulderers and alpine all‑rounders who want reliable beta and a broad menu of options, this volume is an easy recommendation.

Details

Weight

2350g

Pages

608

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag