Großer Ringkogel

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 11,2 km

Time 3:10 h

Uphill 1070 hm

Downhill 1065 hm

Highest point 2276 m

A somewhat forgotten tour with beautiful downhill variants such as the Siebenbrünn summit hollow of the Gr. Ringkogel and a breathtaking view.

Scenic tour with great views, especially from the tree line. Apart from a few sections in the forest, the ascent is pleasantly flat. Above the tree line in particular, the tour runs mainly on a very pronounced, flat ridge, which makes the route relatively avalanche-proof, but also means that it is often blown away. The descent used to lead via the so-called Schmöglloch. This is certainly a charming variant, but the lower section now leads through a wildlife reserve. The descent through the Schmöglloch is permitted despite the protected area on the "old" ski route according to the notice, but due to the game feeding there, you are asked to descend via the ascent variant.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Vienna (approx. 2.5 hours):

Take the A2 towards Graz.
At 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Drive through Knittelfeld and follow the signs towards Gaal/Bischoffeld.
Continue into the Gaal valley (Gaalgraben).
Follow the road up the valley until you reach the Marx farm (Gehöft Marx), where the parking area is located.

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Drive through Knittelfeld and continue to Gaal.
Follow the road into the Gaal valley (Gaalgraben) up to the Marx farm, where the parking area is located.

From Salzburg (approx. 3 hours):

Take the A10 towards Villach.
At exit 63-Altenmarkt, change to the B320 towards Radstadt/Schladming.
Continue via Schladming to Liezen.
Join the A9 towards Graz.
At 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Drive through Knittelfeld and turn towards Gaal.
Continue into the Gaal valley (Gaalgraben) up to the Marx farm (Gehöft Marx), where the parking area is located.

Good parking facilities (parking lot) at the fork in the road 250m before the Marx farmsteads and at an altitude of 1200 m

Ascent: From the parking lot, take the right-hand road (marked summer path), past the Gaalreiter farm until the markings branch off into the forest at a fork in the path. Continue along the summer path, past the Kleinganghütte and from 1800m on a flat ridge to the Repenstein. Continue across the open spaces of the Ochseneben via the Kleiner Ringkogel to the Großer Ringkogel. If visibility is poor, you should pay particular attention to the cornices and the drop-offs to the east in the summit area.

Descent: The Siebenbrünn summit basin of the Großer Ringkogel offers ideal, not too steep skiing terrain with a slope inclination of 30°. At 1950m at the latest, you should cross back towards Repenstein (ascent route). If the snow conditions are poor, it is better to go a little higher as it is difficult to get over the mountain pine belt. Further descent as ascent.

Equipment for Ski Touring

Touring skis with skins, bindings, and compatible ski touring boots
Crampons (ski crampons) for icy sections
Adjustable ski poles with winter baskets
Backpack with ski attachment system
Layering system: functional underwear, mid-layer, insulating jacket, wind- & waterproof shell
Touring pants, gaiters if needed
Helmet (recommended for descents and rocky terrain)
Gloves (spare pair recommended), hat, headband, buff
Ski goggles, sunglasses, and sun protection
Water bottle or thermos, high-energy snacks
First aid kit, bivy sack, personal medication
Headlamp, mobile phone with emergency numbers, map or GPS

Essential safety gear in alpine terrain:
For ski touring, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are mandatory. Equally important are proper training in their use and up-to-date information on weather and avalanche conditions.

For ski touring, up-to-date weather and avalanche information is vital:

Mountain weather Styria (including Murtal): wetter.ORF – Bergwetter Steiermark
Avalanche bulletin Austria: lawine.at
Emergency numbers: Mountain Rescue 140 | EU Emergency Number 112

The descent through the Schmöglloch is permitted despite the protected area on the "old" ski route according to the notice, but due to the game feeding there, it is requested to descend via the ascent variant. Apart from that, the lower part of the Schmögelloch is already relatively overgrown.

This tour can be reached by public transport.

Timetable information: Verbundlinie Styria
Tip: Always check the latest bus and train schedules before departure.

Gasthaus Wachter (vlg. Lasser) should not be missed. Excellent cuisine and if you want to stay overnight, very nice rooms. Tel.: +43 3513 222; Web: www.gasthofwachter.at ÖK25V Pöls NL33-02-20 Ost Skitourenführer Österreich Band 1 Alpinverlag ISBN 978-3-902656-01-8