Summit cross

Otto Barth (1876–1916), Morning prayers by the Kalser alpine guides on the Großglockner, oil on canvas, 1911

A summit cross (German: Gipfelkreuz) is a Christian cross on the summit of a mountain or hill that marks the top. Often there will be a summit register (Gipfelbuch) at the cross, either in a container or other weatherproof case.

Various other forms of marking or symbol such as cairns, prayer flags or ovoos may be found around the world on passes and hills, in particular on sacred mountains. In the Italian Alps, a Madonna is sometimes placed at the summit instead of a cross.