Two summits, one ridge: Crossing the Lugauer

The Lugauer (2217 m / 7273 ft) is one of the most striking peaks in the Ennstal Alps, often nicknamed the "Styrian Matterhorn" for its distinctive, pyramid-like silhouette that dominates the skyline above the Radmer valley. Standing as the fifth-highest summit in the Ennstaler Alps, it is a beloved destination for mountaineers and scramblers alike, rising dramatically from the surrounding landscape of the Gesäuse National Park in the heart of Styria, Austria. The mountain actually has two summits: the main peak at 2217 m (7272 ft) and the slightly lower East Summit at 2206 m (7237 ft). The traverse between the two is the highlight of the route, a narrow, airy ridge with scrambling up to UIAA II that demands sure-footedness, a head for heights, and a taste for adventure.