The distinction from the latter group, where the higher peaks are located, is based on differences in geological composition.

If viewed on a west–east axis, the Northern Limestone Alps extend from the Rhine valley and the Bregenz Forest in Vorarlberg, Austria in the west extending along the border between the German federal-state of Bavaria and Austrian Tyrol, through Salzburg, Upper Austria, Styria and Lower Austria and finally ending at the Wienerwald at the city-limits of Vienna in the east.

The highest peaks in the Northern Limestone Alps are the Parseierspitze (3,036 metres (9,961 ft)) in the Lechtal Alps,[1] and the Hoher Dachstein (2,996 metres (9,829 ft)).

Other notable peaks in this range include the Zugspitze, (2,962 metres (9,718 ft)), located on the German-Austrian frontier and listed as the highest peak in Germany.

Ranges of the Northern Limestone Alps according to the Alpine Club classification of the Eastern Alps (from east to west): Media related to Northern Limestone Alps at Wikimedia Commons