[3] In the south, the Malta valley leads to the Reißeck Group, while in the east, Katschberg Pass separates it from the neighbouring Gurktal Alps.

The Hafner summit marks the eastern rim of the geological Hohe Tauern window.

It has three glaciers, with the largest on its north face, and also comprises numerous Alpine lakes.

The high mountain region, formerly a mining area, recently has become a centre of hydropower economy, most notably the Kölnbrein Dam in the southwest.

An Alpine club hut (Kattowitzer Hütte) is located on the southern Ochsenkar slope, at an altitude of (2,320 m (7,610 ft)).