Hoher Sonnblick

Hoher Sonnblick is a mountain in the Goldberg Group of the Austrian Alps, located in the state of Salzburg and rising to about 3,106 metres. The summit is notable for hosting a long‑running meteorological and geophysical observatory.

The mountain attracts mountaineers and scientific visitors; routes to the summit vary in difficulty and mountain huts in the area support ascents. The summit observatory has made continuous weather and atmospheric observations and is one of Europe’s highest permanent scientific stations.

The peak was first developed for systematic scientific observation in the late 19th century and the observatory has been a focal point of alpine meteorology and research since then. The mountain has also been used for alpine training and mountaineering over the 20th and 21st centuries.

Hoher Sonnblick is located in the Goldberg Group of the Hohe Tauern range in central Austria’s Salzburg state, forming part of the Alpine watershed. The mountain sits above surrounding valleys and is accessed from regional alpine roads and mountain trails.

• Elevation and observatory: Summit elevation approximately 3,106 metres, with the observatory in continuous operation since the late 19th century.

What to See #

• Sonnblick Observatory: A meteorological observatory and research station located at the summit and operated by Austria's national meteorological service, noted for long-term climate and atmospheric observations at high elevation.