Gerschkogel

We start at the village square of St. Georgen ob Judenburg (1), 734 m, and walk slightly downhill through the village. After crossing the Mur bridge and the railway tracks, we see the yellow signposts and the road sign for Wetzelsberg at the crossroads. We keep right uphill and follow the tarmac road through Pichlhofen. Staying on the road, after approx. 2 km we come to the few houses of Wetzelsberg (2), 950 metres. At the crossroads with the "Wetzelsberg" sign, turn right and follow the road. We take a leisurely and scenic walk uphill and at the crossroads keep to the signposts for Wetzelsberg no. 56, 80. The forest road, which we follow continuously, runs uphill through the forest and across large meadows until we see the yellow signposts for Gerschkogel at a crossroads. From here, the path climbs somewhat more steeply through the forest. On the Gerschkogel (3), 1231 m, there is a wooden summit cross with a colourful mosaic of the Virgin Mary. If we go down a few metres and then turn left, we have a clear view towards Judenburg. The way back is via the ascent route.

For a conflict-free coexistence on alpine pastures and meadows it is important to observe a few rules, especially when traveling with dogs. (Source: www.sichere-almen.at - 06/2021)

• Avoid contact with grazing animals, do not feed them, keep a safe distance!
• Keep calm, do not frighten grazing animals!
• Mother cows protect their calves. Avoid encounters between mother cows and dogs!
• Always keep dogs under control and on a short leash. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: Immediately unleash!
• Do not leave hiking trails on alpine pastures and meadows!
• If grazing animals block the way, avoid them as far as possible!
• When grazing animals approach: Stay calm, do not turn your back, avoid the animals!
• Leave the grazing area quickly at the first sign of restlessness of the animals!Fences must be respected!
• If there is a gate, use it, then close it well and cross the pasture quickly!
• Treat the people working here, nature and the animals with respect!

A few tips for correct and fair behavior in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at - 6/2021)

• Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wildlife is especially active during this time.
• Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts & Co have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any trash in the forest.
• Camping and making fire - is strictly forbidden in the forest!
• In principle, each person is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for personal use in the forest. It is only forbidden if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Weather service: www.zamg.ac.at 

Direct link mountain weather Styria: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark 

•  Backpack with rain cover
• Telescopic / hiking poles
• Mountain / hiking boots
• Gloves: waterproof and warming
• Headgear / sunglasses
• Outerwear: Onion layer system, T-shirt, sweater, jacket and winter jacket with hood
• Hiking pants
• Seat pad
• Drinking bottle / thermos flask (on cooler days a warming drink is pleasant)
• Snack
• First aid kit with blister plaster and tick tongs

Other important equipment

• Route descriptionDetailed
• plan of the hike
• Hiking map: For overview a map in scale 1 : 50 000 of the respective region
• GPS device
• cell phone

The upper part of the hiking trail leads through pastureland, so you may have to climb over closed gates several times.

Take the train or bus to St. Georgen ob Judenburg.

The exact timetable and general information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Refreshments and overnight accommodation:

Gasthaus Wieser, Tel.: +43 3583 2272, 8756 St. Georgen ob Judenburg 7, www.gasthof-wieser.at 

Gasthof Sonnenhof, Tel.: +43 3583 2116, Pichlhofen 60, 8756 St. Georgen ob Judenburg, www.maerchenwald.at 

Postcafe Ehgartner, Tel.: +43 3583 2855, 8756 St. Georgen ob Judenburg 11, www.murtaleis.at 

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1 : 50 000 C. und M. Hlatky, (2017): Murtal – Rund um Spielberg – Seetaler Alpen und Seckauer Alpen. Kral Verlag, S. 160