Schober

The Schober stands in the Schladminger Tauern, a range that forms part of the Niedere Tauern in the Austrian Alps. It rises to 2,133 metres and lies on the border between Styria and Salzburg. The mountain forms the northern end of the Kalkspitzen group, which stretches southwards from the main ridge of the Schladminger Alps. Nearby peaks include the Rippetegg at 2,126 metres and the Gasselhöhe at 2,001 metres. Four small mountain lakes lie on its slopes: the Obersee, Spiegelsee, Untersee and Schobersee. The Schober is reached from the Reiteralm, which can be accessed by cable car or toll road from Preunegg. The direct route climbs the east flank of the Gasselhöhe, passing the Gasselseen lakes before reaching the Obersee. From there a marked alpine path leads to the summit, taking about two and a half hours. A longer circuit takes four and a half to five hours, passing the Gasselhöhe and Rippetegg before returning via the lakes. Three alpine huts provide food and shelter around the Reiteralm: the Reiteralmhütte, Gasselhöh-Hütte and Eiskarhütte. The Obersee sits at 1,930 metres on the western slope, while the Spiegelsee and Untersee lie lower down. The Schobersee at 1,735 metres sits on the south-eastern flank. The views from the summit stretch across the Schladminger Tauern and into the Lungau region.