Location and surroundings
Reisalpe belongs to the chain Central European Highlands > Alps > Eastern Alps > Northeastern Alps > Northern Lower Austria Alps > Eastern Lower Austrian Prealps. It is in Austria, in Lower Austria, within Bezirk Lilienfeld and the municipality of Kleinzell. In its subrange it is the highest of 538 named peaks, and it is the high point of the Eastern Lower Austrian Prealps.
The mountain rises in a strongly divided ridge landscape with side spurs and branching slopes. The summit block is a short, broad ridge running roughly southwest to northeast, with steeper rocky ground on the west and north sides. The top is open and treeless, so the mountain feels isolated above the surrounding prealpine terrain.
Neighbouring peaks
- Staff — 1,305 m, 2.5 km northeast
- Rotenstein — 1,126 m, 2.8 km west
- Wendlgupf — 1,110 m, 4.2 km north
- Hinteralpe — 946 m, 4.6 km northwest
- Kienstein — 957 m, 4.7 km south
- Muckenkogel — 1,248 m, 4.9 km northwest
- Hammerleck — 644 m, 5.8 km southeast
- Hegerberg — 1,179 m, 6.0 km south
These neighbours are mostly lower than Reisalpe, which makes the summit a clear local high point. Staff is the closest of the higher ridges to the northeast, while several lower summits and saddles spread out around the mountain on all sides.
The view from the summit
The summit gives a wide view across Lower Austria and far beyond on clear days. Within 25 km, the highest peaks include Klosterwappen at 2,076 m, 23.6 km to the southeast; Göller at 1,766 m, 22.2 km to the southwest; Gippel at 1,669 m, 18.6 km to the south; Grosser Sonnleitstein at 1,639 m, 22.8 km to the south; Donnerkogel at 1,617 m, 21.4 km to the south; and Schwarzauer Gippel at 1,605 m, 17.6 km to the south.
Because the summit is open and broad, the panorama is one of the main reasons to climb Reisalpe. The surrounding higher mountains lie mostly to the south and southeast, while the nearer prealpine ridges frame the view in other directions.
The range
Reisalpe is the highest mountain in the Eastern Lower Austrian Prealps, the high point of that range. The subrange contains 538 named peaks, and Reisalpe ranks first by elevation among them. The wider mountain system extends through Austria as part of the Eastern Alps.
This ranking gives the mountain a special place in the local landscape: it is not just a prominent summit, but the defining high point of its entire subrange. That status, together with its prominence of 638 m, explains why it is such a natural reference peak in the area.
Climbing routes
Reisalpe is crossed by several marked hiking routes, including Kleinzell - Reisalpe, Blümelhof-Brennalm, Innerfahrafeld - Kleinzeller Hinteralm - Wiesenfeld - Schwarzenbach (Bahnhof), Traisentaler Rundwanderweg, and Wanderweg 204A Voralpenweg Variante. The mountain is also described as a popular objective for summer hikes, ski tours and snowshoe walks.
Wikipedia describes approaches from Ebenwaldhöhe, Kleinzell, Kumpfmühle, Furthof, Hohenberg and Innerfahrafeld, with walking times of about 1¾ to 3 hours from the higher or more direct starting points. The summit area is served by the Reisalpen Schutzhaus, which makes longer outings easier to plan.
Access and starting points
The nearest settlements listed around the mountain are Innerfahrafeld, 5.2 km southwest, and Furthof, 5.3 km southwest. From Innerfahrafeld, the rough walking estimate to the top is about 2.5–3.5 hours for 6.7 km on foot and 940 m of ascent. The summit area is also linked to the marked routes named above, which connect the mountain with the surrounding valleys and ridges.
OpenStreetMap also shows a viewpoint 10 m west of the summit, a Madonna 20 m southeast, a spring 490 m east, drinking water 1.2 km northeast, Reisalpen Schutzhaus 90 m southwest, and Kleinzeller Hinteralm 1.2 km northeast. Mobile communication masts are mapped within 10 km, with the nearest 3.3 km southeast.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER suggest that the summit is warmest in July, at about 13 °C, and coldest in January, at about -5 °C. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 950 mm, with the wettest month in June at about 120 mm and the driest in February at about 55 mm.
In this part of the Alps, weather can change quickly with cloud, wind, rain and winter snow. The open summit is exposed, so even in the warmer months a clear forecast can turn into cold, wet or windy conditions on the ridge.
Best time to visit
At summit level, the months with a mean temperature above freezing are April through November. For hiking, late spring to autumn is usually the most comfortable period, while winter brings snow, colder temperatures and a different mountain character. The drier part of the year is around February, while June is the wettest month.
For a straightforward ascent, the best conditions are usually found when the trails are snow-free and the ridge is dry. In winter, the mountain can still be climbed, but snow cover, ice and reduced visibility make careful planning more important.
Nature and wildlife
Reisalpe lies in the prealpine zone of Lower Austria, where mixed forest, mountain meadows and open ridge grassland are typical below the summit. Higher up, the terrain becomes more open and wind-exposed, with rocky sections on the steeper flanks and a treeless summit area.
At this elevation, visitors may see common Alpine birds, deer and other forest wildlife in the surrounding slopes, while the summit itself is mostly a grass-and-rock environment. The open top also makes it a good place to observe the wider ridge system around the mountain.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height and terrain, a certified guide is usually not necessary for experienced hikers in good summer conditions, but it can be useful in winter, in poor visibility, or for anyone unfamiliar with snow travel. In Austria, the national guide body is the Association of Austrian Mountain and Ski Guides, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the Austrian Alpine Club.
Examples of established guiding companies in Austria include ASI Reisen (Alpinschule Innsbruck) in Innsbruck and the Kalser Bergführerverein in Kals am Großglockner. Guided outings usually include route planning, pace control and safety decisions; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and equipment needs.
Safety and preparation
Reisalpe is a moderate mountain by Alpine standards, but the open summit, steep flank sections and winter snow can still create hazards. Good footwear, weather protection and enough water are important, and in snow or ice an experienced approach is advisable. The ridge can be windy, and the rocky slopes demand attention even on marked paths.
For mountain rescue in Austria, the emergency number is 140; 112 also works. Because reception can vary in the hills, it is wise to download maps before setting out and to carry a charged phone.
History and name
The mountain is also known as Hochalpe. Near the summit stand a Madonna and a summit cross, and the Reisalpen Schutzhaus was opened on 9 October 1898. The hut has long been part of the mountain’s identity and helped establish the summit as a walking destination.
The name is tied to the local ridge landscape, and the mountain has long served as a reference point between Lilienfeld, Hohenberg and Kleinzell. Its broad top and open outlook have made it a familiar objective in the region for more than a century.
Interesting facts
Reisalpe is the highest of the 538 named peaks in the Eastern Lower Austrian Prealps. It has a prominence of 638 m, which helps it stand out from the surrounding ridges. The nearest higher major summits within 25 km lie mainly to the south and southeast, including Klosterwappen at 23.6 km.
The summit area is unusually well equipped for a prealpine peak, with a hut, a viewpoint, a shrine and several marked routes close to the top. That combination of access and open views is a big part of its appeal.
FAQ
How high is Reisalpe? Reisalpe is 1,399 m high.
Where is Reisalpe located? It is in Lower Austria, in Austria, in the municipality of Kleinzell and Bezirk Lilienfeld.
What range does Reisalpe belong to? It is part of the Eastern Lower Austrian Prealps, within the Northeastern Alps of the Eastern Alps.
What are the nearest peaks to Reisalpe? The closest listed neighbours are Staff to the northeast, Rotenstein to the west, Wendlgupf to the north, and Hinteralpe to the northwest.
Is there water on the way to Reisalpe? Yes. OpenStreetMap shows a spring 490 m east of the summit and drinking water 1.2 km northeast. On a day hike, still carry about 1.5–3 litres, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Reisalpe? Yes. Reisalpen Schutzhaus is an alpine hut 90 m southwest of the summit, and Kleinzeller Hinteralm is an alpine hut 1.2 km northeast.
How long does it take to walk up Reisalpe? From Innerfahrafeld, the rough estimate is about 2.5–3.5 hours for 6.7 km on foot and 940 m of ascent; the real trail may take longer.
Is mobile phone coverage good on Reisalpe? There are 14 mapped communication masts within 10 km, and the nearest is 3.3 km southeast. On an open summit a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.