Augstwiesalm

Augstwiesalm is a mountain pasture at 1,415 meters (4,640 feet) on the southwestern edge of Totes Gebirge, surrounded by natural meadows and traditional alpine buildings. The site holds about two dozen huts in local style and forms a typical alpine settlement for this region.

The pasture arose during medieval expansion of alpine farming in the Altaussee region. Archaeological finds on the moraine suggest people settled here roughly 800 years ago.

The huts display traditional Ausseer-style architecture with stables below and living spaces above, a design used here for centuries. Visitors can observe how this building style adapted to the demands of alpine farming.

The location is reachable from Albert-Appel-Haus via marked trail 201, with the walk taking roughly an hour through varied terrain. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as the path crosses both meadows and rocky sections.

In this valley basin, winter temperatures drop below minus 38 degrees Celsius, caused by cold air trapping in the geological depression. This makes the pasture one of the most extreme climate locations in the area.