Rosalia Mountains

The Rosalia Mountains rise on the border between Lower Austria and Burgenland, forming a low outlier of the Alps that stretches north to south. Their highest point is Heuberg, where the Rosalia Chapel stands at 748 metres, and an ORF transmitter covers northern Burgenland. Forchtenstein Castle clings to steep limestone crags on the eastern slope, while the Wulka, Leitha and Schwarzenbach rivers drain the range. The Bucklige Welt meets the Rosalia along the Klingfurther Bach valley, which passes villages such as Klingfurth and Rosenbrunn. To the east the mountains meet the Ödenburg Mountains, separated by the Marzau and Sieggraben Saddle. Geologically the Rosalia Mountains consist of gneiss, schist and limestone, and their ridge is heavily forested. The northern and southern sections are divided by the Wulka valley, the Heuberg ridge and a line of hills running from Auerberg to Hollerberg and Fernblick. Among the northern peaks are Scheiben, Mitterriegel and Bauernmaiß, while the southern summits include Auerberg, Hartlspitz and Reisnerkogel. The Rosalia-Kogelberg Nature Park protects part of the range, and the only road crossing runs from Mattersburg to Hochwolkersdorf. Visitors find orchards and vineyards in the lateral valleys, where conditions favour fruit and wine growing. At the northern foot lies the spa village of Bad Sauerbrunn, known for its mineral springs. The Rosalia Chapel crowns Heuberg, offering wide views across Burgenland and Lower Austria. Forchtenstein Castle overlooks the eastern cliffs, its medieval walls contrasting with the limestone rock. Walkers can follow forest tracks and ridge paths that link the scattered peaks and hamlets.