The Totenkopf, most of which is in the Sauerland and Diemel Uplands, is around 4.5 kilometres as the crow flies west of Marsberg on the Brilon Heights which surround the Brilon Plateau and, in the north, gradually transition via the Alme Uplands into the Sintfeld. It is located on the boundary between the Obermarsberg Forest in the east and the Madfeld Forest in the west.