Central Alps

Central Alps

The main ridge of the Alps is assigned to the Central Alps.
They run through the central part of the eastern arc of the Alps and often have the highest peaks with strong glaciation.
But it also happens that gentler mountain ranges appear on the edge of the Central Alps, such as the Gurktal Alps.

The Central Alps consist mainly of slate and gneiss from the different East Alpine nappes, while in the Tauern and Engadin windows mainly of Jura limestone, with a limited amount of granite, as well as in Bergell and Rieserferner.

In the border area to the western Alps, the eastern Alpine nappes were thrust onto the Penninic. This also explains why their occurrence clearly towers over the western environment.


From east to west, the following mountain ranges are part of the Central Alps:

Fringe mountains east of the Mur: with Hochwechsel, Fischbacher Alpen and Grazer Bergland

Lavanttal Alps

Lower Tauern

Nockberge: with the Gurktal Alps

Hohe Tauern: with Ankogel Group, Kreuzeck Group, Goldberg Group, Schober Group, Glockner Group, Granatspitze Group, Vilgratner Mountains, Rieserferner Group and Venice Group

Kitzbühel Alps

Zillertal Alps

Tux Alps

Stubai Alps

Sarntal Alps

Ötztal Alps

Samnaun Group

administrative group

Silvretta

Sesvenna Group

Albula Alps

Plessur Alps

Above the Steiner Alps

Livigno Alps

Bernina

Rätikon