Skiingtour Alpengasthof Sabathy - Zirbitzkogel

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,6 km

Time 3:00 h

Uphill 770 hm

Downhill 768 hm

Highest point 2394 m

From Alpengasthof Sabathy to the highest peak in the Seetal Alps in the www.murtal.at.

This popular ski tour on the eastern side of the Seetal Alps in the www.murtal.at leads from Alpengasthof Sabathy via the Linderhütte and a steep mountain ridge to the highest point of the Seetal Alps, the Zirbitzkogel at 2396 metres above sea level. On the ascent and descent, you are accompanied by wonderful views of the peaks of the Seetal Alps, the Stubalpe, the Seckau Alps and the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin. The hike is a little more challenging in terms of orientation in some sections and is therefore recommended in good weather. The Zirbitzkogel with the refuge just 20 metres below is a real highlight in winter with snowshoes, provided you have the necessary fitness and alpine experience. The winds in the Seetal Alps can be very strong and icy and this in turn can make a hike, about 2/3 of which is in a forest-free area, very strenuous and tiring. On beautiful weekend days, numerous ski tourers and snowshoe hikers are out and about on the Zirbitzkogel, sometimes also because there is an open shelter here at 2376 metres above sea level in winter. If you want to be sure whether the mountain hut is open or not, you should call Werner, who has been running the hut for many years, or the Waldheimhütte.

Best season

January

February

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December

More information

From Vienna (approx. 2.5–3 hours):

Take the A2 towards Graz.
At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Zeltweg-West/Obdach.
Drive along the B78 Obdacher Straße to Obdach.
In the village, follow the signs to the Sabathyalm.
Continue on the mountain road up to the Alpengasthof Sabathy (parking available).

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
At 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Zeltweg-West/Obdach.
Follow the B78 to Obdach.
In the village, follow the signs to the Sabathyalm.
Drive up the mountain road to the Alpengasthof Sabathy.

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 Zeltweg-West/Obdach.
Drive along the B78 to Obdach.
In the village, follow the signs to the Sabathyalm and take the mountain road up to the Alpengasthof Sabathy.

Paid car park at Alpengasthof Sabathy

At the car park of the Alpengasthof Sabathy , 1620 m, we can first get a good overview of the hiking area on a hiking board. Passing the nearby Herz-Jesu chapel, we head towards Lindertal (Zirbitzkogel-Lindertalweg 316). The forest path climbs gently and runs through the forest all the way to the Linderhütte. At the Linderhütte, 1730 m, we pass it on the right and walk through the steeper forest or along the tree line to the plateau. From there we can enjoy the fantastic view of the Zirbitzkogel in fine weather. We continue on a leisurely, flat ascent to the Lindersee lake and over the frozen lake steeply uphill (crampons may be necessary) to the summit. At the ridge, we can turn left to the refuge or climb a few more steps to the summit cross.

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

Mehr Informationen unter www.murtal.at/skitouren

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Alpengasthof Sabathy, Tel.: +43 3578 8230, 8742 Obdach, Granitzen 32, www.alpengasthof-sabathy.at

Waldheimhütte, Tel.: +43 3578 8205, 8742 St. Anna am Lavantegg, Lavantegg 57

Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus (officially Helmut-Erd-Schutzhaus), Tel: +43 3578 8205 or +43 664 9140283, 8742 Obdach, Granitzen 41,

Open in winter at weekends and during the winter holiday weeks, depending on snow and weather conditions. The landlord will be happy to provide information about opening times by telephone. A winter room is open all year round, but offers no heating or cooking facilities.

Karten unter www.murtal.at/prospekte More information at www.murtal.at/skitouren