Ostrawitz

The Ostrawitz stands at 1,823 metres in the Totes Gebirge range of Upper Austria’s Traunviertel. Built from Dachsteinkalk limestone, it forms a lower ridge below the Spitzmauer’s 2,446-metre summit. Between the Polsterlucke and Dietlhölle passes in the Stodertal valley, the mountain overlooks steep slopes and alpine meadows. Reaching the top demands a scramble rather than a walk. No marked paths lead to the summit, only hunters’ tracks that fade in places. From Polstergut or the former Hinterstoder health resort, walkers follow these routes to the Löckenkogel col at 1,353 metres. From there a faint trail crosses steep slabs and dwarf pine zones to the peak, taking about four hours from the valley floor. A small wooden cross has stood on the summit since late 2011. At the top the view stretches across the Totes Gebirge’s jagged limestone peaks and down to the valley floors. The route itself offers close-up sights of alpine flora and rugged rock formations. Walkers who reach the Ostrawitz earn a quiet, untrammelled summit rarely visited by crowds.