The Totes Gebirge ("Dead Mountains") between Upper Austria and Styria is one of the largest karst plateaus in the Alps – a vast, almost barren limestone upland culminating in the Großer Priel (2,515 m). Climbing is concentrated on the steep walls around its edges: the Spitzmauer and Großer Priel above Hinterstoder, the Kampermauer and Schermberg on the north side, and on the Styrian side above the Altausseer See the Trisselwand (1,754 m), whose south-west face carries long classics such as the Hoferweg with around 800 m of height gain. Rock quality varies from excellent to partly brittle, so solid alpine experience is needed on the longer routes; the Loser above Altaussee offers shorter, more accessible climbing.
The Trisselwand is reached in about an hour from the Gasthof Trisselwand, accessible by road from Grundlsee; Hinterstoder is the main base for the northern walls. On the plateau itself, orientation in fog is very difficult. The south and south-west walls get very hot in summer, so early or late in the season is often best; the main season is July to September.
Part of Upper Austria, Totes Gebirge has 100 routes documented on climbing.place. Routes range from grade 3- to 9+. Explore its 24 crags and sectors below.
Often climbed in July, August, September.