Overview
Geographical Classification : Eastern Alps > Carnic Alps > Carnic Alps Main Ridge (West) > Saebelspitz / Stallonkofel / Runseck
Rather than posting three single pages for the three summits described here, I decided to submit this as a "ridge page". The three summits Saebelspitz, Stallonkofel (also Stallon) and Runseck are located on one of the side ridges which turn off north from the Carnic Alps Main Ridge. Coming from Plöckenpass / Passo di Monte Croce Carnico in the east and turning west it is the second of the side ridges. The three summits are rather bumps in an otherwise smooth ridge and can be easily climbed all year. The whole ridge is a popular ski tour destination in winter and only near the highest and central peak of Stallonkofel will you find some moderate exposure with 100m drops to the eastern side. The ridge separeates the Niedergailer Tal and Wolayer Tal Valleys, which both run from north to south towards the Carnic Alps Main Ridge.
The popularity of the ridge stems from the views it commands in fine weather. It is very close to the highest mountains of the Carnic Alps, Hohe Warte / Coglians and Kellerwand both to the south-east. To the south you have the huge bend of Biegengebirge somewhat hidden behind Kreuzleithöhe, the first (i.e. southernmost) and rocky summit of the ridge. In the south-west there are Letterspitze, Steinwand and Edigon at your fingertips while turning north you will see the whole of the Lienz Dolomites across the Lesachtal Valley.
So why are these views missing from this page?
We had the unfortunate bad luck of hiking the ridge in foggy weather. Meaning to climb Rauchkofel from Wolayer Tal Valley we had to turn around because of dark low hanging clouds. We tried to retreat along the Saebelspitz / Stallonkofel / Runseck Ridge which was still was clear of clouds at the time of the decision but once we closed in on the first summit, Saebelspitz, the clouds dropped by 200m and that was it. A day or two later we had a glimpse of the ridge in better weather and felt even more frustrated, now that we saw the real beauty of its location.
As a compensation for the dismal weather the south slopes of Runseck offered us millions of blueberries and raspberries together with occadional currant bushes. It pays to bring a container for collecting your evening dessert...
The single summits in more detail
Saebelspitz
Elevation: 2159m
Latitude: 46,6407
Longitude: 12,8394
It is not quite clear to me why this summit was called "Säbelspitz". The name means "Sabre Tip" in English and you would certainly expect somthing more pointy than this. From both sides of the ridge the summit is easily reached. There are no difficulties for the summit itself, though the southern ascent routes are very steep and rocky in several parts.
Stallonkofel
Elevation: 2162m
Latitude: 46,6463N
Longitude: 12,8447E
The most rugged of the summits is Stallonkofel. It is also the highest one and boasts a moderately exposed ridge ascent from the south. In clear weather the exposure might be more intimidating but in the fog through which we hiked nothing could be seen...
Runseck
Elevation: 2144m
Latitude: 46,6514
Longitude: 12,8487
Runseck is the southernmost of the summits of the ridge. It can be easily reached from the hamlet of Nostra and thus is the most popular of the three summits. It boasts a wooden summit cross, actually quite a nice carving (compared to what you can see otherwise in the Alps). The south face of Runseck is pretty steep and rocky and below it you can find millions of blueberries.
Getting There