Osternig, Mountain summit in Sankt Stefan im Gailtal, Austria

Osternig is a mountain peak reaching 2052 meters that marks the border between Austria's Carinthia and Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia. The summit offers open views across the Carnic Alps and is surrounded by dense forest at lower elevations that gradually gives way to alpine meadows.

The Osternig lies on the border between the Gailtal in Carinthia and the Tarvisiano in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, near the point where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet. The summit is the easternmost peak above 2,000 metres in the Carnic Alps, after the Gartenkofel the highest of the Eastern Carnic chain east of Passo Pramollo. Its grassy dome rises to 2,052 metres.

The mountain carries four names used by the communities around it: Osternig in German, Osternic in Friulian, Ojstrnik in Slovene and Monte Osternig in Italian. Its grassy dome, the highest point of the eastern Carnic Alps east of Passo Pramollo after the Gartenkofel, draws walkers from the Gail Valley and the Friulian side alike.

The hiking route is well marked and takes about four hours from Rifugio Nordio at 1406 meters, which serves as the main starting point. The trail passes through forest and then open alpine meadows, making sturdy hiking boots essential for the terrain.

From the grassy summit, the peaks of the Julian Alps are visible to the south: Ponze, Triglav, Mangart, Jalovec, Jôf Fuârt, Jôf di Montasio and Cimone. To the north the view reaches the Gail Valley and the Lienz Dolomites, and to the east the Karawanks.