Kreuz

The Kreuz is a 2174-metre peak in the Totes Gebirge range of Upper Austria. Its southern slope, known as the Apfelplan, falls away in grassy terraces rich in alpine plants down to the Ackergrube basin. The northern face looks toward the Hetzautal valley and is a sheer wall of crumbling rock, its western edge marked by a stepped ridge. To the north a narrow ridge leads to the Zwillingkogel, while to the east the Prielkamm ridge continues toward the Kirtagmauer. The summit, crowned by a wooden cross, is a popular destination and can be reached easily from the Welser Hütte, offering wide-ranging views. The mountain is also a well-known venue for climbers, with routes such as the North-west Ridge and the West Couloir attracting experienced mountaineers. No clearly marked path leads to the top; the usual route follows path 215 to the Welser Hütte, then ascends the Apfelplan grass slopes to the ridge before turning east to the summit. The route demands sure-footedness and a head for heights, but rewards walkers with solitude and sweeping vistas over the limestone peaks. From the Welser Hütte the climb takes about three hours and passes through alpine meadows where edelweiss and mountain avens grow among the limestone slabs. The final section follows the ridge, where iron rungs and cables have been fixed to ease the scrambling. On clear days the view stretches from the Dachstein glacier in the west to the Gesäuse peaks in the east, taking in the valleys of the Traun and Enns rivers. The wooden cross at the top is a landmark for hikers and climbers, standing against the sky above the high karst plateau.