Großer Sonnleitstein

The Grosse Sonnleitstein stands at 1 639 metres in the Muerzsteger Alps, forming the main ridge of the Sonnleitsteingruppe. It rises above Schwarzau im Gebirge in southern Lower Austria and Altenberg an der Rax in the north-eastern Styria, between the Gippel–Göller chain to the north and the Rax and Schneealpe massifs to the south. The mountain stretches east–west from the Naßwald valley to the upper Mürz valley, separated from the lower Donnerkogel by streams and cols. Its narrow crest carries sharp ridges and near-vertical walls on the northern side, giving the summit a striking horn shape.

The peak is noted for its fine views across three great limestone blocks: Hochschneeberg, the Raxalpe and the Schneealpe. On clear days the sight reaches almost 120 kilometres west to the Grosser Priel. The summit itself is a small wooden cross on a rocky spine that rises above the highest conifers. The rock is Wettersteinkalk in the summit zone and Wettersteindolomit lower down, forming the steep faces and walls named after the mountain.

Two marked routes climb from Hinternaßwald. One follows a forest road to the Wasseralm then takes the steep Franz-Jonas-Steig through the Oselgraben to a small plateau. From there the path turns south-west up the flank to the summit in about two and a half hours. The other route uses the old Kaisersteig road to the Loskögerl, then ascends steeply to the unmanned Amais-Wies-Hütte and continues in many zigzags to the ridge, crossing eastwards to join the Franz-Jonas-Steig before the final climb. Both walks are straightforward except for the last steep, boulder-strewn section which needs sure-footedness.