Over the Rosswiese to the Spielkogel in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park

At Frein an der Mürz, we cross the Mürz bridge and shortly afterwards follow a steep forest path uphill to the left over the Hochriegel to a forest path. Crossing this and two other forest roads, the route continues uphill, no longer quite so steep, to Rosswiese. Keeping slightly to the right, we follow the hiking trail marked with poles until we reach another forest path. We follow this path to the Hinteralm.

Now we keep slightly to the left at the alpine huts (open in summer) uphill over a wide ridge in the direction of Spielkogel. Don't go too far to the right, as there are rockfalls ‘lurking’ here (views down to the Naßköhr moor nature reserve).

We soon see the large summit cross of the Spielkogel on our left. From this summit, we have a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Mürzer Oberland Nature Park as well as the Matriazell region, the Hochschwab and the Ötscher.

Return along the ascent route to Frein an der Mürz.

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!

Not far from Frein an der Mürz is the easily accessible natural jewel ‘Wasserfall zum Toten Weib’.

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 a.m.  

Hochsteiermark Tourist Office, 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