From Vent to Hintere Schwärze at 3,624 m

At 3,628 metres, the Hintere Schwärze (Cima Nera in Italian) rises in silent dignity above the glacier realms of the Ötztal Alps. As the fourth-highest peak of the range, it holds a powerful presence—its very name evokes a sense of awe. First climbed in 1867 by Ernst Pfeiffer from Vienna, together with mountain guides Benedikt Klotz and Josef Scheiber, it remains a destination for mountaineers drawn to the raw and unspoiled.

The ascent from the Martin-Busch Hut via the Marzellferner glacier to the west ridge is demanding, yet deeply rewarding. Steep snow slopes, crevasses, and wide glacier fields require alpine experience, stamina, and a steady mind. Those who reach the summit are gifted with one of the most majestic panoramas in the Ötztal Alps—views stretching to Similaun, Weißkugel, and Ortler that linger in memory.

Lying in the quiet shadow of its more famous neighbors, Hintere Schwärze reveals its true strength in solitude. It’s not a mountain that easily gives itself away—it opens only to those willing to approach with respect and commitment. For seasoned alpinists, it offers an experience of rare intensity and lasting depth.