It lies on the border between the Austrian states of Salzburg and East Tyrol.

The Rote Säule is a peak in the extreme north of the district of Lienz.

It is located on the main chain of the Tauern between the Roter Kogel (2,946 m above sea level (AA)) to the southeast and the Abretter (2,979 m above sea level (AA)) to the northwest, the Rote Säule being separated from the Abretter by the col of Abretterscharte (2,856 m above sea level (AA)).

The Rote Säule has a wide north and east face.

The Rote Säule may be climbed from the Venedigerhaus, the route branching off from the Sandebentörl path towards the northwest.