Habring snowshoe hike

We walk from the parking lot opposite the Oberzeiring ski lift (1), 932 m, towards the end of the village or keep along the road that leads into the Lachtal valley. After about 750 m, we see trail marker 3 on the left and the signpost with the inscription "Trail no. 3 via Greimegger to Habringspitz trail 3a". At the next road junction we go slightly left and follow the road to the farm vlg. Greimegger (2), 1130 m, where we pass directly by the house and farm. Continue slightly uphill along a forest road that leads first along the edge of the forest and then into the forest. We stay on the forest road until we come to a sharp left turn, which we follow. Shortly after, we see the red-white-red markings again. At an altitude of about 1300 m above sea level, we reach open meadows or alpine pastures and have a very nice view of the surrounding area of Oberzeiring. Here there is a crossroads (3), 1330 m, with yellow signposts and the indication of trail 960 in the direction of Habringsattel. A steeper section of trail follows, which is easily recognizable by the forest road and the markings. After a short time we reach the Habringsattel (4), 1415 m. At the Habringsattel several paths diverge and the markings are not clear. Here we go right (trail number 3a) and keep in a line uphill until we reach the ridge and subsequently the summit, Habring (5), 1497m. In the summit area there is a summit cross, a rest bench and a location board with altitude information. The descent leads us back over the Habringsattel to the crossing area (3), 1330 m. From now on we follow the hiking trail or the road, which leads slightly downhill over the meadow area and ends directly at the farm vlg. Freitag farm. From the farm the cleared road leads downhill for about 900 m until a forest road branches off to the left in a sharp right-hand bend. We follow this forest road for about 300 m until we see an open meadow area on the left. We go downhill across the meadow with a view of Oberzeiring. The descent leads us in succession along the edge of the ski lift slope and thus directly to our starting point.

Note: This snowshoe hike requires a good sense of direction on the descent, otherwise you should choose the descent via the ascent route.

Equipment for Snowshoe Hiking

• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip
• Snowshoes & adjustable poles with winter baskets
• Backpack with rain cover
• Layering system: functional underwear, mid-layer, weatherproof winter jacket
• Warm hiking pants, gaiters if needed
• Gloves (plus a spare pair), hat/headband, scarf/buff
• Sunglasses, ski goggles, and sun protection
• Water bottle or thermos, snacks
• First aid kit, emergency blanket, personal medication
• Headlamp, mobile phone with emergency numbers, hiking map or GPS

A not so well known snowshoe hike with summit experience.

This tour can be reached by public transport.

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

Gasthaus Kump, Tel.: +43 3571 2231, Hauptstraße 32, 8762 Pölstal/Oberzeiring, 

Gasthof Zum Grünen Specht, Tel.: +43 3571 2238, Marktplatz 2, 8762 Pölstal,  www.gruener-specht.at/

Further accommodation and guesthouses: www.murtal.at 

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50 000 Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2. Auflage 2018): Schneeschuhführer Steiermark – Vom Dachstein bis zum Steirischen Weinland. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, München, S. 176. 

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Schneeschuhgehen – Praxiswissen vom Profi zu Ausrüstung, Technik und Sicherheit. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, München, S.192