Gerlitzen, Mountain summit in Carinthia, Austria

Gerlitzen is a mountain summit reaching 1,909 meters in the Gurktal Alps, characterized by rounded peaks and forests that gradually give way to open grasslands at higher elevations. The terrain transitions naturally from dense woodland on lower slopes to more open meadows near the top.

The name Gerlitzen derives from Old Slavic Gorelice (from goreti, to burn), referring to bonfires lit on the mountain for Easter or solstice customs. In 1903 a late Celtic hoard was found at the foot of the Tischleinerwand on the western slope: 37 silver coins of Boii and Norican minting, two Roman coins and two Dacian silver armlets, likely a votive offering from 43–15 BC. Near Pölling, old marble quarries include one called Heidentempel, with cut marks possibly from Roman extraction.

The name Gerlitzen comes from the Old Slavic Gorelice, from goreti, "to burn", referring to bonfires lit on the mountain for Easter and solstice customs. An older recorded name, Ossiacher Albe, survives in the Slovene Osojščica and refers to grazing rights of Ossiach Abbey. Wrestling contests of young farm boys were another old reason for lighting fires here.

A cable car from Annenheim offers the quickest way to reach the top, while hiking trails from nearby villages like Sattendorf provide alternative routes for those on foot. Weather and season significantly affect trail conditions and what you should bring.

The Finsterbach rises just southeast of the summit and drops over three waterfalls close to where it enters the Ossiacher See at Sattendorf; locals treat the falls as an outing of their own. The stream is one of many small brooks draining the massif in every direction.