Viehkogel, Mountain summit in Berchtesgaden Alps, Germany and Austria

Viehkogel is a 2,158-metre summit on the border between Bavaria and Austria, in the western-central part of the Steinernes Meer plateau. It is an island peak: free of higher ground on all sides, it gives an open view over the plateau itself, though the Funtenseetauern blocks the sunrise and the ridge between Breithorn and Schindlköpfen blocks the sunset.

The sources record no herding or trading history for Viehkogel; its documented past is one of mountaineering. The standard ascent runs from the Kärlingerhaus on the Funtensee, reached by a marked path in about 1.5 to 2 hours. The summit lies on the state border between Bavaria and Austria, in the western-central part of the Steinernes Meer plateau.

The usual route to the summit starts at the Kärlingerhaus on Funtensee, a mountain hut that serves as the base for hikers in the Steinernes Meer. From there a marked path leads to the top in about 1.5 to 2 hours. The path is easy to follow but steep in places, especially on the summit slope, where there is a risk of slipping.

The climb from Kärlingerhaus to the summit follows marked paths through alpine meadows and rocky sections. Proper gear and caution on steep terrain are important, as weather at this altitude can change rapidly.

Near the summit lies Funtensee, a mountain lake with an extreme microclimate where one of Germany's coldest temperatures was once recorded. The basin traps exceptionally cold air masses, making this spot meteorologically unusual.