Snowshoe hike to Bocksruck

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 10,5 km

Time 4:30 h

Uphill 567 hm

Downhill 558 hm

Highest point 1761 m

A hike in the Murtal adventure region that will positively surprise many a snowshoe hiker.

If there is a lot of snow at higher altitudes, you should resort to snowshoe hikes that can be classified as "avalanche-proof" due to the terrain. One of these technically easy tours can be found here northwest of Unzmarkt in the Murtal adventure region, in a hiking area that belongs to the southern foothills of the Wölzer Tauern. Most of the hike runs through wooded areas and the higher you get, the more fascinating the view from the open alpine pastures at about 1700 m above sea level. The ascent is steady, so you can find a good walking rhythm. Only the search for the markers interrupts the meditative hike up to the 1763 m high Bocksruck, which will surprise many a hiker with its imposing summit cross. The extensive alpine pasture area around the summit is good for the eye and you immediately feel comfortable and safe. Depending on your condition and enjoyment, you can continue hiking here across the alpine pastures and really enjoy the surrounding mountains and peaks. Conclusion: If this area has been a white spot on your snowshoe map until now, you should change that this winter.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Unzmarkt-Frauenburg you drive 5 km / about 12 minutes uphill in the direction of Rittersberg-Rainberg. A (partly narrow) cleared asphalt road leads throughout to the starting point of the hike.

Approach to Unzmarkt-Frauenburg:

From Judenburg via the B317 (24 km, approx. 30 minutes).

From Murau via the B96 (26 km, approx. 30 minutes)

By car to snowshoe hiking - a few things to watch out for!

Good winter tires are an absolute MUST!Ice scraper, snow broom, de-icer for the door locks and a small shovel belong to the basic equipment.Put snow chains and a tow rope in the car, even if you are not good with them yourself. Helping and knowledgeable hikers are always available on the mountain!Clear the car completely of snow and ice, especially sweep off the roof of the car completely.When parking, make sure you leave room for other motorists.Always park so that the rest of the roadway remains clear for cars, logging trucks, and snow removal vehicles.Find out about the snow situation on the access road or parking facilities before setting off. (hut host, webcams)

There are a few parking possibilities (At the transmission mast in the left curve in front of the Windgruber farm).

We start at the farm Windgruber (1), 1200 m, and go that forest road slightly uphill, which can be recognized at the beginning with a no-driving sign. The path leads in large serpentines over the open meadow areas around the farm. We continue to hike along the easily recognizable road, which leads ever so slightly uphill in sparse forest areas, with no markings or signposts to be seen here. The path passes by the house Öffl with the address Rittersberg 10. We orient ourselves along the main path, as there are a few turn-offs. It is important to always keep slightly uphill. When we arrive at the ridge (2) at about 1580 m above sea level, we follow a sharp left turn to continue hiking uphill along the ridge. After a short time we come to a larger meadow or alpine pasture, which already gives a small foretaste of the view in the summit area. We cross the meadow and come back into a wooded area, where we see a white-blue hiking mark for the first time. We continue in a line, always going uphill along the ridge, until we reach the open areas of the summit area. The Bocksruck (3) at an altitude of 1763 m impresses with its view and the large summit cross. We enjoy the panorama and the tranquility before we start the way back via the ascent track.

When choosing a snowshoe tour, weather, snow and avalanche situation are essential criteria. Basically, the decision of the tour depends on your own experience and basic physical condition. In advance, factors such as weather, avalanche situation report and equipment must be clarified in detail. A clear description of how to prepare for a snowshoe hike can be found in the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria from page 14 to 20. Even if you have prepared perfectly, you must also take into account the given weather and snow conditions and the physical condition of the day during the hike itself. Thus, there is one important basic rule: please turn around if the hike becomes too strenuous or if the external conditions require it.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Avalanche info:

www.lawine-steiermark.at

Weather service:

www.zamg.ac.at

Direct link mountain weather Styria:

https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark

Apart from the most necessary equipment, such as snowshoes, poles, etc., we recommend that you bring orientation aids (bus pole, map, GPS), avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. We have taken this checklist from the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria and summarized it for you, so that it will be helpful for your next snowshoe hike.

SnowshoesTelescopic poles with snow plateWaterproof mountain boots or lined winter mountain bootsBackpack: if the snowshoes have to be carried, a backpack with a lid buckle is necessary.Gloves: waterproof and warmingHeadgearGaiters: If there are no closable leg cuffs on the pants.Pants: ski pants are rather not recommended because they are often too warm, but we need waterproof and warming pants.Warming outerwear: Onion layering system, t-shirt, sweater, jacket and winter jacket with hood.Sunglasses: Very important, as snow reflects up to 95% of the light.Creams: Protective measures for the skin are important against both the sun and the cold.Headlamp: In winter it gets dark early, especially in the forest it can often be very dark when dusk begins.Thermos: On cooler days a warming drink is pleasant.Snack or snackFirst aid kit

Other important equipment

Cell phoneTour descriptionMap: For overview a map in scale 1:50.000 of the respective region and a detailed plan of the hikeGPS deviceAvalanche transceiver (avalanche transceiver), shovel and probe

This list and also the safety instructions have been summarized by the authors of the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria. You are welcome to use these texts, but we kindly ask you to mention the copyright "Rother Schneeschuhführer Steiermark".

Soft alpine pastures in the summit area still invite you to a small panoramic round.

There is no public transport connection to the starting point of the tour.

General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Gasthof "Zum Burgblick", Tel.: +43 650/ 57 45 985, 8800 Unzmarkt-Frauenburg, Kärntnerstraße 5, Gasthof Zum Burgblick Freytag & Berndt (2019): Murau, Scheifling, Grebenzen, Sölkpass. WK 211 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. Für weitere Infos hier klicken.

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Schneeschuhgehen – Praxiswissen vom Profi zu Ausrüstung, Technik und Sicherheit. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, München, S.192