Tennen Mountains Mountains

The Tennen Mountains (Tennengebirge) are a compact limestone massif in the Northern Limestone Alps of Salzburg state, Austria. The range is characterised by a broad, high karst plateau rimmed by steep cliffs and includes several peaks over 2,000 metres.

Highest sections culminate at Raucheck, the range’s summit, and the plateau supports a network of alpine routes and ski-touring lines. The limestone geology produces extensive karst terrain, steep faces popular with climbers and a number of caves and sinkholes.

Historically the mountains have been used for seasonal grazing and alpine access routes; in the 20th century mountaineering and recreational use increased with marked trails and mountain huts established to support visitors. The karst landscape has limited surface water and distinctive alpine biodiversity adapted to the limestone habitat.

The Tennen Mountains lie in the Salzburg region of Austria, north of the main Alpine crest, forming a compact massif between the Salzach valley and the Dachstein massif, with road access from nearby valley towns and alpine trailheads.

• Outdoor activities: Popular for hiking, alpine climbing and ski touring; most approaches start from valleys on the southern and western flanks in Salzburg state.

What to See#

• Raucheck (highest peak): Raucheck - the highest peak of the range at about 2,431 metres, dominating the central plateau and serving as a common mountaineering objective.
• Plateau and karst features: Karst plateau and caves - a high limestone plateau with steep northern faces, carved by karst processes and containing notable cave systems and climbing routes.

• Start hikes very early in the day: the Tennen Mountains heat up and afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly in the Alps, so early starts give safer conditions and clearer views.
• Use the trailheads served from Werfen and Abtenau-Werfen is the gateway if you plan to visit the Eisriesenwelt ice cave (on the Tennen range) and Abtenau provides access to many popular summit routes and alpine huts.
• Don't skip the high karst plateau: beyond the obvious ridge climbs there are broad, less-visited plateaus and limestone scenery that many day-trippers miss-plan a longer loop or an overnight at a mountain hut to explore them.