Bräuningzinken

The Bräuningzinken is a 1,899-metre peak in the Ausseerland region of Styria. It stands as the highest point of the Augstkamm ridge within the Totes Gebirge range. To the northeast lies the distinctive Loser massif, while the northwest face drops steeply toward the Gschwandalm alpine meadow and Rettenbachtal valley. The eastern flank, covered in dwarf mountain pines, overlooks the Bräuningalm at 1,607 metres. Beyond the summit, a rugged ridge continues northeast through the Bräuningscharte col to the Bräuningnase outcrop. The peak is reached by a two-hour hike from the Loser-Bergrestaurant. The route follows marked trail 201 past the Augstsee lake, then turns onto trail 257 which crosses the Bräuningalm and climbs to the Gschwandsattel at 1,730 metres before reaching the summit. A summit cross holds a visitors’ book where hikers record their names. The Loser-Panoramastraße, opened in 1972, once provided vehicle access to the Loser-Alm restaurant at 1,600 metres, though it now operates only outside the cable car’s service hours. At the top, wide views stretch across the Totes Gebirge and deep into the Ausseerland valleys. The route passes the Augstsee, a small mountain lake beside the restaurant, and the Bräuningalm, a working alpine pasture grazed by cattle in summer. The exposed ridge walk offers glimpses of the Dachstein massif to the west and the Gesäuse peaks to the north. The contrast between steep limestone cliffs and gentle alpine meadows makes the ascent memorable.