Geiereck

Geiereck is a mountain near Salzburg in central Austria. It stands 1 805 metres above sea level, only 19 metres above the surrounding ground, and its base is 90 metres wide. The peak belongs to the Untersberg massif, a ridge of limestone peaks that forms the northern rim of the Berchtesgaden Alps. From the summit the city of Salzburg lies nine kilometres to the north, while the nearest village, Grössing, sits below on the southern flank. The mountain’s slopes drop steeply into the Salzach valley, giving long views across the surrounding countryside. The mountain is known for its varied terrain and dense forests of mixed beech and spruce. Paths wind through the woods to viewpoints where the Untersberg’s sheer walls rise above the tree line. On clear days the Hoher Göll and the Hagengebirge can be seen to the south-west, while to the north the city of Salzburg and its historic skyline appear in miniature. The contrast between the quiet forest and the distant urban sprawl makes the climb worthwhile. Visitors reach the top by following a marked trail that starts near Grössing. The route climbs through shady woodland before emerging on to open rock slabs where the final metres are gained over limestone pavement. From the summit cross there is a 360-degree panorama: the Salzach valley to the north, the broad plain of Bavaria to the north-east, and the high peaks of the Hohe Tauern to the south. On windless mornings the air is still enough for the sound of church bells from Salzburg to carry up the slope.