Ötscher, Alpine summit in Mitterbach am Erlaufsee, Austria

The Ötscher is a 1,893-metre limestone massif in south-western Lower Austria, the highest summit of the Ybbstal Alps in the Northern Limestone Alps. Its upper slopes are bare pale grey rock in horizontal bands and gullies; dark coniferous forest covers the lower flanks. The peak carries the border between the districts of Lilienfeld and Scheibbs.

The mountain's name comes from the Celtic ocàn, meaning 'father mountain', later reshaped under Slavic influence. Between 1573 and 1576 the Flemish scholar and botanist Carolus Clusius climbed the Ötscher to collect alpine plants, laying the foundation for the Botanical Garden in Vienna. The Geldloch cave below the summit was explored in 1592 on the orders of Emperor Rudolf II.

The name derives from the Celtic ocàn ("father mountain"), reshaped under Slavic influence into Ötscher, from *otьčanъ, meaning godfather. The mountain is the emblem of the Mostviertel and its highest summit. The Geldloch cave below the Rauer Kamm was explored in 1592 on the orders of Emperor Rudolf II.

Several marked hiking trails lead to the summit, with the Ötscher-Basis information center serving as a useful starting point. It helps to begin early in the day and bring proper hiking gear.

The Geldloch cave, entered east of the summit at about 1460 m, was explored in 1592 on the orders of Emperor Rudolf II. By 1983, 6678 m of passages and a height difference of 535 m were known. The Taubenloch nearby reaches 413 m deep.