Snowshoe hike Wildalm

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,4 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 508 hm

Downhill 508 hm

Highest point 1753 m

A tour in the Wölzer Tauern in the Murtal adventure region with an easy to moderately difficult ascent to the extensive alpine pastures of the Wildalm. From the Wildalm there are two more rewarding destinations for experienced snowshoe hikers.

A hike to the magnificent alpine pastures around the Wildalmhütte. It begins at the parking lot of the Pusterwald gold panning plant, where you can experience the romance of gold mining during the summer season - without having to travel to America or Australia. The trail leads us at first very comfortably into the Scharnitzgraben and then uphill along a serpentine forest road to the Wildalm in the Murtal adventure region. Up to here we have already covered 500 meters in altitude and snowshoe hikers without high alpine experience are recommended to consider the Wildalm as the destination of their tour and explore the beautiful alpine pastures. Those who still have enough strength and the necessary alpine knowledge can choose between two peaks here - the Gruber Hirnkogel (2080 m) or the Kleinhansl (2217 m).

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Vienna (approx. 3 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 towards Trieben/Hohentauern.
At Pöls-Oberkurzheim, turn onto the B113 towards Pusterwald.
Drive through the village of Pusterwald and follow the signs to the Gold Panning Site (Goldwaschanlage) (parking available nearby).

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg.
Exit at Judenburg-Ost.
Continue on the B114 towards Trieben/Hohentauern.
At Pöls-Oberkurzheim, turn onto the B113 towards Pusterwald.
Drive through the village and follow the signs to the Gold Panning Site (Goldwaschanlage Pusterwald).

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.
Exit at 100-Trieben.
Drive on the B114 towards Judenburg.
At Pöls-Oberkurzheim, turn left onto the B113 towards Pusterwald.
Drive through the village of Pusterwald and follow the local signs to the Gold Panning Site.

Ample parking is available at the designated ski touring and winter parking area at the gold panning facility. (Voluntary donation)

We start at the car park at the gold panning facility (1) (please note: closed), 1265 m, and follow the forest road along the Scharnitzgraben until we see the Rupbauerhütte (2), 1323 m, on the right. Immediately after the hut, turn right, cross the bridge and keep left. Numerous snowshoe and ski touring tracks provide orientation. The route continues leisurely across meadows, then crosses a small stream and continues uphill through wooded areas with small clearings. The numerous tracks lead us directly to the forest road, which we now follow uphill to the right. We pass the Jaurishütte (3), 1555 m, the base of the mountain and nature rescue organisation, and continue immediately over a stream. Shortly afterwards we see the crossroads (summer path to the Wildalmhütte). However, we stay on the forest road, which leads comfortably and gently uphill to the Wildalmhütte (4), 1753 m. The way back is via the ascent route back to our starting point.

Tip for experienced snowshoe hikers: For the ascent to the crossless Gruber-Hirnkogel, we take the direct route over the ridge to the left of the gully. If you would like to stay a little longer in the scenic terrain, you could hike on from there to the summit cross of the Hirnkogel.

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

In good weather conditions there are still 2 peaks to choose from: the Kleinhansl, 2217m or the Gruber Hirnkogel, 2080m.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Refreshment and accommodation options:

Gasthaus Jagawirt in Pusterwald, Tel.: +43 3574 2233, 8764 Pusterwald, Pusterwald 57,

Monday, Tuesday day off

Goldwaschanlage Pusterwald, Tel.: +43 664 314 9824, 8764 Pusterwald, Pusterwald 171,

In winter Friday, Saturday, Sunday open from 10:00 am

Freytag & Berndt : WK 203 Wölzer Tauern - Sölktal - Rottenmanner Tauern, hiking map 1:50,000 Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2nd edition 2018): Snowshoe guide Styria - From the Dachstein to the Styrian wine country. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, Munich, p. 176.

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Snowshoeing - Practical knowledge from the pros on equipment, technique and safety. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, Munich, p.192