The Rossbrand (1,786 m) not only boasts a fantastic panoramic view, but as “scout” focuses on the important things in life. Highlight of the hike up Radstadt’s local mountain is a fun oracle: the ritual should help you to make decisions.  

The Rossbrand counts as one of the most beautiful mountains for views in the Eastern Alps. Radstadt’s local mountain is a characteristic part of the Enns Pongau region and belongs – as does the Hochgründeck – to the Fritztaler forest mountains. The lengthy ridge of the Rossbrand, with its 94 m high radio tower, is easily visible from the surrounding mountains in the Salzburg Summit Game and is a valuable landmark.

Thus, it was quite plain to me, that the Rossbrand can only be the “Scout” in the Salzburg Summit Game. This “Benevolent Queen’s” advisor views life as a whole and assigns us an important role: our own thoughts and decisions give us the power to influence our lives greatly.

The possibilities for conquering the Rossbrand are varied: you can travel up the free panorama road from Radstadt almost to the very peak by car or by e-bike or mountain bike. From mid-June to mid-October the Radstadt Wanderbus runs three times a day between the resort and the Rossbrand Peak car park. There are numerous hiking trails to the peak cross at an altitude of 1,786 above sea-level from Radstadt as well as from Filzmoos.

I started my hike right by the historic tower next to the town pond. This tower is – as around 60 other objects – an ancient witness to Radstadt’s history. Due to its strategically important location in the former Archbishopric of Salzburg, Radstadt was proclaimed a town back in 1289. Along this hike up the Rossbrand you constantly get wonderful views of the “Old Town in the Mountains“ with its mighty town walls and roads leading off in all directions.

After a good hour’s walk you come to the idyllically located Bürgerbergalm and somehow it’s already time for the first reward: alpine toast, cheese gnocchi and apple strudel are just simply too tempting, yet you shouldn’t stop too long. As you only have a third of the route behind you. The three-hour ascent up to the peak offers plenty of time to think and is therefore ideal for preparing for the ritual. The fun oracle game with stones at the summit is supposed to help you make difficult decisions.

The summit plateau of the Rossbrand with peak cross, themed info boards, wooden panorama loungers and extensive meadow area is a spot for lingering. I can hardly get enough of this splendid panoramic view – almost at eye level with the mighty Bischofsmütze and Dachstein mountains: the heavens seem so near, the cloud moods and displays of light are uniquely beautiful and always changing: just like life itself! The Rossbrand is a magical spot offering new perspectives but insights too. The Radstädter Hütte entices you in for rest and refreshment before heading back down into the valley.

photo credits: Salzburger Sportwelt, TVB Radstadt