Kleiner Bösenstein, the worthwhile alternative to its big neighbor

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 6,5 km

Time 2:30 h

Uphill 722 hm

Downhill 722 hm

Highest point 2380 m

This is a rewarding alternative tour to the Großer Bösenstein with mostly better snow.

From the Edelrautehütte parking lot, it is a good 800 meters up to the Kleiner Bösenstein.

The tour leads across the alpine pastures, through an old Swiss stone pine stand and hopefully under snow-covered mountain pines to the large Scheiblsee lake. The beauty of this landscape can already be appreciated here. In the direction of view, the crystalline Bösensteine, with the mighty Gesäuse mountains behind you.

Behind the Scheiblsee lake, the trail climbs up some steeper steps and slope crossings into the Elendkar. The Kleiner Bösenstein now rises on one side, on the other side you can see the summit cross of the Großer Bösenstein. Heading SW, on the left-hand side, you reach the Kleiner Bösenstein in a few hairpin bends via the less structured summit slope.

The view is at least as beautiful as on the Großer Bösenstein, and the snow is certainly better for the descent!

Best season

January

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.
Exit at Judenburg-Ost.
Continue on the B114 through the Mur valley towards Trieben/Hohentauern.
In Hohentauern, follow the signs to the Edelrautehütte.
Drive along the toll road to the parking area below the Edelrautehütte.

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
Exit at 100-Trieben.
Drive on the B114 towards Judenburg/Hohentauern.
In Hohentauern, follow the signs to the Edelrautehütte.
Continue on the toll road to the parking area below the hut.

From Salzburg (approx. 2.5–3 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.
Exit at 100-Trieben.
Drive on the B114 towards Judenburg/Hohentauern.
In Hohentauern, follow the signs to the Edelrautehütte.
Drive along the toll road to the parking area below the hut.

Parking lot Edelrautehütte

From the Edelrautehütte parking lot, either follow the summer trail or the ascent to the left of it (south-east) across open meadows to the Großer Scheiblsee. Along the right side of the lake and in the area almost at the far end of the lake up over the small steep step (alder bushes with little snow) to the base of the Rote Rinne. Now in a south-westerly direction up a steep step. At about 2000m the route turns to the NW. Now you are "1 floor" below the Elendkar. This can be reached either by crossing the slope on the right-hand side (NE). It is often easier here to take the crampons out of your backpack and use them! It is also possible to walk along the flat valley floor to the foot of the Kleiner Bösenstein. At the end of the flat ground, you climb to the right (NE) over a steep step, thus rejoining the previously described route (after the traverse) at the start of the Elendkares. The route continues in a north-westerly direction into the Elendkar.

The ascent to the Kleiner Bösenstein is about 200 meters in altitude. A few hairpin bends are necessary.

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