Steinernes Meer
Mountains High karst plateau in the Northern Limestone Alps
Karst plateau in the Northern Limestone Alps offering bare limestone pavements and high-altitude routes. Hikers and scramblers come for long treks, exposed terrain and cross-border Alpine passages.
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The Steinernes Meer is a high karst plateau in the Northern Limestone Alps of Austria, known for broad limestone expanses, plateaus and rocky ridges.
The massif contains multiple peaks and ridgelines and its highest summit is the Selbhorn at 2,655 metres, making it a prominent feature for alpine hikers and climbers.
The landscape is typical of karst topography, with limestone pavements, small tarns and steep escarpments formed by glacial and karstic processes.
The plateau lies within the Northern Limestone Alps, in the region associated with the Berchtesgaden/Salzburg alpine ranges in Austria.
- Highest point and terrain: The highest point of the Steinernes Meer is the Selbhorn at 2,655 metres, and the area is characterised by broad limestone plateaus and numerous ridges suited to long alpine traverses.
How to Get to Steinernes Meer #
Access points vary: from the Austrian side use the Ramsau or Saalfelden approaches; on the German side use routes through Berchtesgaden and the Königssee area. Mountain hut networks and marked trails connect across the plateau; plan routes with an up-to-date alpine map.
Tips for Visiting Steinernes Meer #
- If attempting multi-day traverses, plan refuge huts and mountain rescue contacts in advance; the plateau is remote and weather can change quickly.
- Carry a map and compass; paths can be faint across the karst plateau especially in fog.
Best Time to Visit Steinernes Meer #
Visit in summer for safest access and open mountain huts; avoid winter unless well-equipped and experienced.
Weather & Climate near Steinernes Meer #
Steinernes Meer's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1570 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (175 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (194 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (169 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
