Pfaffstättner Kogel

The Pfaffstättner Kogel rises to 541 metres as part of the Anninger range along the Thermenlinie in Lower Austria. It is the local mountain of Pfaffstätten and forms a spur of the Anninger massif. At its summit stands the Rudolf-Proksch-Hütte and the Klesheimwarte observation tower. The southern slope shelters the Einödhöhle, a cave formed by Tertiary sea erosion. The peak and its flanks consist mainly of carbonate rock from the Middle Triassic to Lower Cretaceous periods, with main dolomite on the southern slope and summit. The mountain is reached by several waymarked routes from nearby towns. Walkers can start from Baden, Gumpoldskirchen or Pfaffstätten, each offering different gradients and scenery. The route from the hamlet of Einöde in Pfaffstätten passes through the Kleine Kiental valley before climbing to the top. The paths are popular with hikers and provide views across the Vienna basin and the Vienna Woods. On arrival at the summit visitors find the Rudolf-Proksch-Hütte, a refuge offering food and rest. The Klesheimwarte tower offers a wide panorama of the surrounding countryside. The Einödhöhle can be explored on foot, revealing the geological history of the area. The mountain’s geology is clearly visible in the exposed rock layers on the southern slope.