Earth:Grass mountain

Short description: Mountain covered with low vegetation

The summit of the Geißstein, a grass mountain in the Kitzbühel Alps

A grass mountain (German: Grasberg) in topography is a mountain covered with low vegetation, typically in the Alps and often steep-sided. The nature of such cover, which often grows particularly well on sedimentary rock, will reflect local conditions.

Distribution

The following mountain ranges of the Eastern Alps in Europe are often referred to as grass mountains (Grasberge):

• the Allgäu Alps in Bavaria, Germany and Tyrol in Austria,
• the Kitzbühel Alps in the Austrian states of Salzburg and Tyrol, and
• the Dienten Mountains in Salzburg.

Other areas where grass mountains occur include: the gorges of the Himalayas, Scotland, Poland's Tatra Mountains, and Lofoten.

Individual examples

The north face of the Höfats

• Geißstein (2,366 m), Kitzbühel Alps.
• Höfats (2,259 m), Allgäu Alps
• Schneck (2,268 m), Allgäu Alps
• Latschur (2,236 m), Gailtal Alps

Ascent techniques

Negotiating the steep grass-covered sides of grass mountains requires a special type of climbing known as grass climbing (Grasklettern).