Via the "Farfel" to Schneealm and Rauhenstein in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park

In the town center of Neuberg an der Mürz, we start at the Spar Markt and hike upwards through the district of Neudörfl until we reach a forest path. This path soon turns to the right, leading to a prominent trail junction (Spielkogel, 1,020 m). From here, we turn left and continue uphill on the increasingly steep forest path, winding through numerous switchbacks until we reach the base of the Farfel.

At this point, the trail becomes rockier and steepens significantly as we ascend over the rocky path (surefootedness is advantageous, especially since the trail can be very slippery when wet!) until we reach the Schneealm plateau, which we access directly via the forest road.

From here, we can easily reach both the huts on the plateau and our destination, the summit of Rauhenstein.

To reach the summit, we continue left on an alpine trail (mostly marked by the traces of livestock) until we reach a large meadow at the cliff edge of the Rauhenstein cliffs. From here, we continue slightly left, ascending along the plateau’s edge and passing through a belt of dwarf pines until we reach the unassuming summit of Rauhenstein, offering a wonderful view down into the Neuberger Valley.

For the return journey, you can either take the same path or choose one of the other descent options (like Schneealmstraße or Karlgraben—both are slightly longer) back to Neuberg.

Avoid the Farfelsteig when wet!

Most hiking and mountain tours in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park take place in alpine terrain. For longer hikes and mountain tours, good physical condition, surefootedness, and a head for heights are strongly recommended.

In the high plateaus of Rax, Schneealm, and Veitsch, orientation can be difficult in fog or bad weather. In winter, always be aware of avalanche risks!

Mountain Rescue Emergency Number: 140
Rescue stations in Neuberg an der Mürz and Mürzzuschlag.

Packing your backpack properly makes hiking easier:

• Pack heavy items first.

• Keep your water bottle (ideally 1 liter or more) easily accessible.

• Frequently used items, such as sunglasses, camera, phone, or map, should be on top.

• An emergency kit, including blister plasters, should be in every backpack, and dressing in layers ("onion principle") is always recommended!

• Never forget rain protection for alpine tours!

In winter, for ski tours and snowshoe hikes, appropriate safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe) is mandatory! Always check the avalanche report before your tour: www.lawine-steiermark.at.

Avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes can be rented at the Nature Park Office for a small fee.

After the hike, a stop in Neuberg an der Mürz is highly recommended, where you can visit the Stift (Abbey), the glassblowing workshop, and the nature museum. The Woodcutter Museum in Mürzsteg is also worth a visit.

Additionally, both the Schneealmhaus and Michlbauerhütte are easily accessible from Rauhenstein, with an estimated 30-minute walk to reach them.

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

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

With the BusBahnBim App from Verbundlinie, timetable information is easier than ever: All bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched by entering locations and/or addresses, stops, or key points. The app is available for free for smartphones (Android, iOS) on Google Play and in the App Store.

Nature Park Office Mürzer Oberland
Tel.: +43 3857 8321
Website: www.muerzeroberland.at
Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tourism Association Hochsteiermark
Tel.: +43 3862 55020
Website: www.steiermark.com/hochsteiermark

Mountain, Hiking, and Nature Park Guides
For information, contact the Nature Park Office Mürzer Oberland
Tel.: +43 3857 8321