Grünberg

The Grünberg is a 1,874-metre peak in the western part of the Totes Gebirge range in Upper Austria. Its grassy south-east flank drops steeply into the Plagitzer Grube, while the north-east side falls away through the Schnittlauchboden into the cirque of the Grünbach. The north face is rugged and jagged, and the rarely visited summit holds a simple metal cross. Climbers reach the top by two known routes. One starts from Ebenseer Hochkogelhaus at 1,558 metres, passes through the Plagitzer Grube and ascends the south-west flank. The other begins at Offensee, follows the Grünbergalm and crosses the Schnittlauchboden before joining the final ridge. On the summit ridge the only man-made mark is the cross, set against the open limestone slabs and alpine meadows. The surrounding ridges stretch away in every direction, showing the high karst plateau of the Totes Gebirge.