Piz Buin

Piz Buin (3,312 m) is the highest mountain in Austria's Vorarlberg state and one of the best-known summits of the Silvretta range in the Rhaetian Alps. The Austria-Switzerland border runs over the top, splitting Vorarlberg from the Swiss canton of Graubünden. This page is about the peak itself, not the sunscreen brand, although the brand took its name from this mountain.

Where is Piz Buin?

The massif stands in the Silvretta group, where the Montafon valley on the Austrian side meets the Lower Engadine in Switzerland. It ranks as the third-highest peak in the range. Glaciers and firn fields surround it, with neighbours such as Silvrettahorn and Dreiländerspitze close by. The summit sits at roughly 46.844 N, 10.119 E.

How do you climb Piz Buin?

This is a high-alpine objective. The route crosses a glacier, so you need crampons, an ice axe, a rope and the skills to move safely on crevassed ground. Most parties make it a two-day trip: hike to a hut on day one, summit and descend on day two.

• Austrian side: the usual base is the Wiesbadener Hütte above the Vermunt reservoir, from where the route crosses the Ochsentaler Gletscher.
• Swiss side: an alternative starts in the Engadine near Guarda and uses the Chamanna Tuoi hut.
• Guides: climbers without glacier experience should hire a certified mountain guide.

What can you see from the top?

The summit gives views over the Silvretta glaciers, the Montafon and Engadine valleys and further ranges of the Rhaetian Alps. In clear weather more distant massifs join the panorama. Even if you never plan to reach the top, the surrounding landscape of firn and glacial lakes rewards a visit.

When is the best time to go?

The high-mountain season runs from late June to September, when huts are open and the glacier is easiest to read. Mornings are more stable, while thunderstorms become likelier in the afternoon, so parties set off very early. In winter the area draws ski tourers, but that demands a different level of preparation.

Where does the sunscreen name come from?

Austrian chemist Franz Greiter was badly sunburnt on a climb of this mountain in the 1930s. He later developed a protective cream and named it after the peak. The brand now lives its own life, while the mountain remains a mountaineering goal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I climb Piz Buin without a guide? Yes, if you have glacier experience and can judge the hazards. Beginners should go with a guide.

How high is Piz Buin? 3,312 metres above sea level.

Which country is it in? Two: the border between Austria and Switzerland passes over the summit.

Is it the highest peak in the Silvretta? No. It is third in the range, but it is the highest point in Vorarlberg.