Kieserl

The Kieserl is a mountain in Salzburg’s Central Alps, reaching 1,954 metres above sea level. It stands on the border between the villages of Dorfgastein and Großarl, with the Arltörl pass lying between its summit and the Arlspitze to the north. Several alpine pastures dot its slopes, including the Heumoosalm near Maierhofen and the Roslehen-Heimalm and Roslehen-Hochalm near Unterberg. A stream called the Mayerhofbach begins on the mountain, and near the top there are small natural ponds and pools. A ski run descends from the Kieserl to the valley of the Großarler Ache, served by a cable car. The mountain’s geology features layers of phyllite, calcareous schist and quartzite, shaping its rugged terrain. On the eastern side, dense green alder thickets cover the ground, while the western slopes are bright with rust-coloured alpine roses. Small patches of sedge meadows appear on both flanks, adding colour to the upland landscape. These plant communities thrive in the cool, moist climate of the high Alps. The contrast between the two sides of the mountain is striking, with each habitat supporting different species. Visitors reach the Kieserl via the cable car that climbs from the valley to the ski run’s upper station. From there a path leads to the summit, offering wide views across the surrounding peaks and valleys. The alpine pastures are dotted with wooden huts where cattle graze in summer, and the small ponds near the top attract frogs and dragonflies. The contrast between the green alder woods and the pink alpine roses makes the slopes colourful in season. The ski run below is quiet outside winter, but its wide curves show how the mountain serves both hikers and skiers.