Ortler

Mountain Highest mountain of South Tyrol with glaciated slopes

Ortler, the highest peak of the Ortler group at about 3,905 metres, attracts mountaineers, ski-tourers and glacier travellers seeking long alpine routes, via ferrata sections and panoramic summit views.

Main image

Ortler (Italian Ortles) is the highest mountain in the Ortler Alps, reaching an elevation of 3,905 metres. It stands on the border area between South Tyrol and the Trentino region in northern Italy and is the dominant summit in its range.

The mountain is a classic alpine objective with glaciated slopes and routes of varying technical difficulty, attracting mountaineers and ski tourers. Climbers follow established routes that traverse glacier terrain and use nearby mountain huts as bases for ascents.

Over the 19th and 20th centuries the Ortler became a focal point for Alpine exploration and alpine mountaineering in the Eastern Alps; it remains an important peak for regional mountain guides and alpine clubs.

Ortler lies within the high alpine landscape of northern Italy, with approaches from valleys in South Tyrol and Trentino and mountain hut networks providing access for ascents.

  • Elevation: Rising to an elevation of 3,905 metres, it is the highest peak of the Ortler Alps and a prominent mountaineering objective in northern Italy.
Ortler
Ortler (Ortles), South Tyrol / Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
46.5093, 10.5446
Open year-round; main climbing season June-September

Tips for Visiting Ortler #

  • Plan any summit attempt for midsummer (June-September) and start the final push very early to avoid afternoon storms and to handle glacier sections in firmer conditions.
  • Use the village of Sulden/Solda as the common base for routes on Ortler and hire a certified mountain guide if you don't have glacier experience; crevassed terrain and rapidly changing weather make guided ascents the safer option.

Best Time to Visit Ortler #

High summer (July-September) is the main season for hiking; winter is for experienced mountaineers and skiing with appropriate gear.

Summer (hiking/climbing season)
Jul-Sep · Valleys ~10-20°C; high elevations often near or below freezing
Best window for alpine hiking and non‑technical routes; higher altitudes remain cold and weather can change quickly.
Winter (skiing/mountaineering)
Dec-Mar · Valleys around -5-5°C; summit temperatures well below freezing
Snow and glacier conditions dominate-suitable only for experienced mountaineers and guided parties with proper equipment.
Shoulder seasons (more variable)
Apr-Jun, Oct-Nov · Variable, from near freezing at altitude to mild in valleys
Weather can be unstable with lingering snow and avalanche risk; consult local guides and conditions before attempting routes.

Weather & Climate near Ortler #

Climate

Ortler's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -16°C to 3°C. Abundant rainfall (1094 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
25°
Warmest Month
-33°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -15°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-15° -11°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
8.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -11°C and lows of -16°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-16° -11°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
7.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

29 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-15° -11°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
7.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -13°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-13° -9°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
6.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-8° -4°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

37 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-6° -3°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -11°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-11° -8°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
7.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -13°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-13° -9°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
8.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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