Hike over the Senkstein to the Kleinveitschalm in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park

First, a forest path leads us into the valley to a game reserve. Following this, we soon reach a path branching off to the right (do not enter the gate!) and hike along this path in numerous hairpin bends, sometimes quite steeply uphill to a rock face. The path winds its way skilfully through the rock barrier and, after several more turns, finally brings us to the start of the alpine meadow.

We soon reach the 1,404 metre high Senkstein and have a view of the entire nature park from the Rax to the Schneealm and Hinteralm to the Niederalpl.

Now it's only a few minutes to the Ebenhütte hut, which is located slightly below the Senkstein. We stop there for a cosy break (catered in summer) and then descend along the ascent path.

Incidentally, keen mountain hikers can also hike from the Ebenhütte to the Grundbauerhütte or up the Schoberspitz. The Ebenhütte is also located on the Mariazell pilgrimage route 06B and is therefore a popular base for all pilgrims.

Most of the hiking and mountain tours in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park are in alpine terrain. A good level of fitness, surefootedness and a head for heights are recommended, especially for longer hiking and mountain tours. On the high plateaus of the Rax, Schneealm and Veitsch, orientation can be difficult in fog or bad weather. Always be aware of the risk of avalanches in winter!

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140, rescue centres in Neuberg an der Mürz and Mürzzuschlag.

Packing your rucksack properly makes things much easier: 

Pack heavy items first. The drinking bottle (ideal: 1 litre or more) should always be within easy reach. All items that are needed frequently, such as sunglasses, camera, mobile phone or hiking map, should be on top. 

Emergency equipment including blister plasters should be in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress according to the ‘onion system’! Never forget rain protection on alpine tours!

The Ebenhütte is not far from the long-distance hiking route ‘From Glacier to Wine’ and is therefore an ideal starting point for summit hikes on the Veitsch plateau. Not far from Mürzsteg there is also the small Holzknecht Museum, which is well worth a visit.

Nature Park Taxi in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park: Tel.: +43 3857 20170, www.naturparktaxi.at 

ÖBB www.oebb.at or Verbundlinie Steiermark www.busbahnbim.at. 

With the BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie, timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train and tram connections in Austria can be called up by entering locations and/or addresses, stops or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) - on Google Play and in the App Store.

Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel. +43 3857 8321, www.muerzeroberland.at , open Mon. - Fri. from 8.00 - 12.00

TV Hochsteiermark, Tel.: +43 3862 55020, www.steiermark.com/hochsteiermark

Mountain, hiking and nature park guides: Information at the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel.: +43 3857 8321