Snowshoe hike Rappoldkogel from the Old Almhaus

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,4 km

Time 3:30 h

Uphill 418 hm

Downhill 419 hm

Highest point 1925 m

A "must hike" for every Murtaler in the heart of the Styrian Randgebirge.

The Rappoldkogel literally towers over the soft landscape of the Stubalpe, which as a low mountain landscape is predestined for snowshoe hiking. From beginner to summit tours, there is something for everyone. If you want to try out the snowshoes for the first time, there is a perfect area for it around the Alte Almhaus. The ascent to the wide summit area of the Rappoldkogel is a bit steeper in between, otherwise moderately ascending. The hike is thus technically simple and can be classified as "easy", although one must not forget the necessary basic condition and endurance for an approx. 3 ½ hour tour. Once you get to know this wonderful snowshoe area, you will understand if you have the feeling here that you want to hike on and on.

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.
Exit at 210-Modriach.
Drive through Modriach and continue on the B77 Gaberl road.
Follow the road up to the Gaberl Pass summit.
The Altes Almhaus is located directly at the pass summit (parking available).

From Graz (approx. 1–1.5 hours):

Take the A2 towards Vienna/Klagenfurt.
Exit at 210-Modriach.
Continue via Modriach to the B77 Gaberl road.
Follow the road up to the Gaberl Pass summit.
The Altes Almhaus is located directly at the top.

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 St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg.
Take the exit towards Köflach/Voitsberg.
Drive on the B77 Gaberl road.
Continue up to the Gaberl Pass summit, where the Altes Almhaus is located.

Large parking lot at the Alter Almhaus, 1649 m,

We start our tour at the parking lot at the Alter Almhaus (1), 1649 m, and head for trail 505, which is a wide, groomed cross-country skiing or winter hiking trail. It goes very slightly downhill until we come to the signpost Salzstiegel over Rappoldkogel and to Gerti Törl (2), 1570m. We branch off to the right and follow the well-marked path uphill through the forest to a saddle (3), 1762 m, from where - as a sign informs us - we are in the protected landscape area. We climb the ridge in front of us, preferably in the middle, in order to avoid any snow cornices and soon reach our destination, the Rappoldkogel (4), 1928m. To the north we now have the Murtal valley at our feet and to the southwest we can see the Speikkogel, another attractive "snowshoe mountain" in the Murtal region. The way back leads us via the ascent route back to the Alte Almhaus.

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

On the way back, the detour via the Großebenhütte is recommended, as here you can immerse yourself in a particularly beautiful snowshoe landscape. For more information, see the Rother snowshoe guide Tour 50.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Almwirtshaus Altes Almhaus, 8591 Maria Lankowitz, Kemetberg 60, Tel. +43 3147 212, info@altesalmhaus.at, www.altesalmhaus.at, snowshoe and toboggan hire Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000

More information about snowshoeing on our homepage www.murtal.at/schneeschuhwandern

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