Location and surroundings
Andelsberg lies in the Upper Austrian Prealps, within the broader chain of the Salzkammergut and Upper Austria Alps, the Northeastern Alps, the Eastern Alps and the Alps. It is in Austria, in Upper Austria, and more specifically in the municipality of Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn in Bezirk Kirchdorf.
The hill sits in a landscape of prealpine ridges and nearby passes, with higher mountains rising to the south and southwest. In its own range it is far from the top end of the height scale, and its position makes it a lower summit among many larger neighbours rather than a dominant peak.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named summits and passes around Andelsberg are:
- Reilerschneid — 1,284 m, 1.9 km north
- Ebenwieselstein — 809 m, 2.3 km northeast
- Hühnerzipf — 1,057 m, 2.3 km southeast
- Rieserschneid — 1,390 m, 2.4 km northwest
- Ebnersattel — 971 m, 2.4 km south
- Keferspitz — 1,061 m, 2.8 km east
- Habichtkogel — 1,142 m, 2.9 km south
- Brennet — 1,249 m, 3.1 km northeast
The nearest higher peak is Reilerschneid, which rises 492 m above Andelsberg and lies just under 2 km to the north. Several other nearby summits are also clearly higher, so Andelsberg is part of a compact hill landscape rather than an isolated high point.
The view from the summit
From Andelsberg, the highest peaks within 25 km are concentrated to the south and southwest. They include Grosser Priel (2,515 m, 10.0 km south), Schermberg (2,396 m, 11.1 km southwest), Spitzmauer (2,446 m, 12.3 km south), Feuertalberg (2,376 m, 14.4 km southwest) and Grosser Hochkasten (2,388 m, 15.0 km south).
Farther away, Warscheneck (2,388 m) lies 19.3 km to the southeast. These peaks show how quickly the terrain rises beyond the lower hills around Andelsberg, with the higher limestone Alps forming the main skyline in that direction.
The range
Andelsberg belongs to the Upper Austrian Prealps, a range whose highest peak is Hoher Nock at 1,963 m. Hoher Nock lies about 16 km east of Andelsberg. The range contains 457 named peaks, and Andelsberg ranks 359th by elevation among them.
The Upper Austrian Prealps are part of the wider Alpine system and extend across Austria. Andelsberg sits in the lower part of this range, well below the main summits but still within the same prealpine mountain belt.
Climate and weather
Climate figures for the summit are estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020. At Andelsberg, the warmest month is July, at about 18 °C, and the coldest is January, at about -3 °C. Mean temperatures are above freezing from March through November.
The surrounding area receives about 1,100 mm of precipitation a year. July is the wettest month at about 140 mm, while February is the driest at about 60 mm. Weather in the hills can change quickly, especially with summer showers and cooler conditions on exposed ridges.
Best time to visit
For a walk on Andelsberg, the most comfortable period is usually from late spring to autumn, when summit temperatures are generally above freezing and paths are less likely to be affected by snow or persistent ice. The months from March to November are the ones with mean temperatures above 0 °C at the summit.
July is warm but also the wettest month, so short showers are common. February is drier, but winter conditions are colder and less suitable for an easy outing. In practice, the best choice is a dry day in the warmer part of the year.
Nature and wildlife
Andelsberg lies in the prealpine zone of Upper Austria, where mixed woodland, forest edges and open slopes are typical. Lower mountain terrain here often supports beech, spruce and other common Central European trees, with meadows and clearings where the land is less steep. Higher and more exposed parts tend to be cooler and more open.
Wildlife in this region commonly includes deer, foxes, small mammals and a range of woodland birds. In warmer months, ticks can be present in grassy and brushy areas. A normal hill walk should still follow standard care for forest and ridge terrain.
Practical tips
A visit to Andelsberg is best treated as a short hill outing, but the ground may still be uneven, muddy or stony depending on the route and season. Sturdy footwear is sensible, and a light windproof layer helps on exposed sections. In the warmer months, check for ticks after walking through grass or brush.
Keep to marked or obvious paths where they exist, and be careful in wet weather because forest tracks can become slippery. For mountain rescue in Austria, the emergency number is 140; 112 also works.
Interesting facts
Andelsberg is a relatively low summit in the Upper Austrian Prealps, ranking 359th out of 457 named peaks in the range. Its nearest higher neighbour is Reilerschneid, 1.9 km to the north, which helps place Andelsberg in a closely spaced hill landscape.
Although Andelsberg itself is modest, the view toward the south reaches some of the best-known high peaks of the region, including Grosser Priel and Spitzmauer. That contrast between low hills and nearby alpine summits is one of the main features of the area.
FAQ
How high is Andelsberg? It rises to 792 m above sea level.
Where is Andelsberg? It is in Austria, in Upper Austria, within the municipality of Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn in Bezirk Kirchdorf.
Which mountain range does it belong to? It is part of the Upper Austrian Prealps, within the wider Alps.
What is the nearest higher peak? Reilerschneid, at 1,284 m, lies 1.9 km to the north.
What can you see from the summit? The highest peaks within 25 km include Grosser Priel to the south, Spitzmauer to the south, and Schermberg to the southwest.
What is the mobile phone coverage like? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator; on open ground it is often better than in valleys or behind ridges. Always download maps before setting out, and remember that 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.