Snowshoe hike Gaaler Höhe

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 14,5 km

Time 5:30 h

Uphill 617 hm

Downhill 611 hm

Highest point 1537 m

From the snowshoe experience to the enjoyment of the spa in the Murtal adventure region.

The Gaaler Höhenzug in the Erlebnisregion Murtal is something like the local mountain of the people of Fohnsdorf, so it is not surprising that numerous hiking trails lead up to the lake level of about 1400 m. This snowshoe hike does not go beyond the forest line, yet along the way there are always beautiful views of the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin (colloquially known as Aichfeld) and the surrounding mountains of the Murtal region. Fohnsdorf looks back on 300 years of mining history, which is illustrated in the mining museum. The coal mined here - the slag heap still bears witness to this today - was used in the surrounding scythe mills and later in the steel and rolling mills. When the coal finally lost its economic importance, the mine was closed in 1978. Fohnsdorf is also inevitably associated with the Aqualux thermal spa. The thermal spring, which was discovered during deep drilling, is used to supply water to the spa, which was built in 2007 and is highly recommended as a relaxing end to a snowshoe tour.

Conclusion: Get out of your snowshoes and into the spa.

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 Fohnsdorf.
Follow the signs into Fohnsdorf.
In Fohnsdorf, follow the local signs to the Stoxreiter tavern (Mostschänke Stoxreiter).

From Graz (approx. 1 hour):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Fohnsdorf.
Continue towards the town center and follow the signs to the Stoxreiter tavern (Mostschänke Stoxreiter).

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.
At 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Fohnsdorf.
In Fohnsdorf, follow the local signs to the Stoxreiter tavern (Mostschänke Stoxreiter).

Only a few parking spaces available at the Mostschänke Stoxreiter.

We start at the parking lot at the Mostschänke Stoxreiter (1), 1015 m, and follow hiking trail 989 north to a fork in the trail (2), 1244 m. From there, the marked hiking trail goes steeply uphill, but we stick to the more energy-saving option and continue left on the forest road, which goes uphill in serpentines with beautiful views. Shortly below the Fohnsdorferhütte we cross the hiking trail, but continue to stay on the forest road. Just before a signpost pointing to the Fohnsdorferhütte (3), 1490 m, the destination, the Hölzelkogel, already shows itself to us. We continue our tour on the forest road and are now heading towards Spielberg. At a small clearing we leave the forest road and take the hiking trail straight ahead into the forest. At the crossroads we head towards Fohnsdorf and soon we reach the Hölzelkogel (4), 1451 m, or also called Hammereck. The way back is the same as our ascent up to the Fohnsdorferhütte. From there we follow the marked hiking trail leading steeply through the forest until we reach the already known forest road again, on which we - following our ascent tracks - reach the Mostschänke Stoxreiter (1) again.

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

Additional safety gear in alpine terrain:
When snowshoeing in unsecured alpine areas, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are essential. They are vital for quick companion rescue in case of an emergency.

Snowshoe tours in open terrain require both weather and avalanche updates:

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

If the whole tour is too far, the Fohnsdorfer Hütte is already a worthwhile destination!

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Mostschänke Stoxreiter, Tel.: +43 3573 3554, Schlapfkogelweg 30, 8753 Fohnsdorf,

Tip: Therme Aqualux in Fohnsdorf, Tel.: +43 3573 20 780-0, Thermenallee 10, 8753 Fohnsdorf, www.therme-aqualux.at

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000 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