Hochalm - Maria Schnee by Dürnberg

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,2 km

Time 5:00 h

Uphill 780 hm

Downhill 780 hm

Highest point 1854 m

“The magnificent": explore the highest pilgrimage church in the Eastern Alps. The continuously ascending hike rewards you with a great view in a particularly contemplative place.

This beautiful mountain tour in the Murtal adventure region leads us uphill from Unterfarrach near Seckau along the Kumpitzbach stream on a shady, leisurely forest road. Now we come to a meadow with alpine cows, pass some private huts. At the path above the Ramplerhut, we branch off to the right uphill via serpentines to the edge of the forest and hike up via the memorial cross and the Türkenfeld to the pilgrimage church (1822 m) with great views.

Best season

January

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More information

From St. Michael in Upper Styria via the Murtal expressway S36 (toll sticker required) to the "St. Lorenzen" exit; continue towards Knittelfeld via Kobenz towards Seckau to the Oberfarrach bus stop, turn right uphill past the dog school, BSV Seckau 3D course to the Mitterberg district and the Kumpitzgraben junction.

From Judenburg via the Murtal expressway S36 (toll sticker required) to the "Knittelfeld-Ost" exit; continue via Kobenz in the direction of Seckau and follow the same route as above from the Oberfarrach bus stop.

Unterfarrach - Parking lot at the edge of the Kumpitzgraben forest

The starting point of the hike is in Kumpitzgraben, which may be a little difficult to find for those not familiar with the area. On the road from Kobenz to Seckau, turn right in Unterfarrach and follow the road. In Mitterberg, follow a signpost attached to a large tree. From there it is only a few kilometers to the parking lot at the edge of the forest - from here we hike along a paved forest path into the Kumpitzgraben.

Once we reach the barrier, we take the path on the opposite side and climb next to the Kumpitzbach towards Stockeralm up to the Ramplerhütte. After the hut (private huts) there is a staircase and we follow the forest path to the left, after a right-hand bend there is a signpost that leads us into the forest. Always well marked, the trail takes us to the edge of the forest in just under half an hour.

The last few meters of altitude lead us over open terrain and regularly offer wonderful views down into the Mur valley and views of the surrounding mountains. The little church was also always in sight. If you decide to visit the Hochalmkircherl, it is a good ten-minute walk from the summit cross. Both from the Kircherl and from the summit cross of the Hochalm you have a fantastic view of countless peaks, including the Größing and the Zirbitzkogel, but also the Hochschwab and the Eisenerze Alps can be seen in fine weather.

There are a few rules to follow to ensure conflict-free coexistence on alpine pastures and meadows, especially when out and about with dogs. (Source: www.sichere-almen.at - 06/2021)

Avoid contact with grazing livestock, do not feed animals, keep a safe distance!
Keep calm, do not frighten grazing cattle!
Mother cows protect their calves. Avoid encounters between suckler cows and dogs!
Always keep dogs under control and on a short lead. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: Put them on a lead immediately!
Do not leave hiking trails on mountain pastures and meadows!
If grazing animals block the path, keep as far away as possible!
When approaching grazing animals: Stay calm, do not turn your back, avoid the animals!
Leave the grazing area quickly at the first sign of restlessness!
Pay attention to fences! If there is a gate, use it, then close it again and cross the pasture quickly!
Treat the people working here, nature and the animals with respect!

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

Hikers should avoid visiting the forest approx. 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active at this time.
Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any garbage in the forest.
Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!
In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Weather service: www.zamg.ac.en

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