Steinplan over Geierleitengraben

From the main square in Knittelfeld (1), 643 m, we walk in the direction of the railway station and continue to the roundabout at the warehouse, where we keep right. Through the railway subway and then over the Mur bridge we reach the beginning of St. Margarethen / Gobernitz. At the next crossroads, we see the yellow signpost labelled Steinplan. We turn right and follow the asphalt road towards Thalberghof for the next three kilometres. In a sharp bend to the right (2), 766 metres, the hiking trail branches off from the road to the Thalberghof. From here, the trail continues slightly uphill along the Geierleitengraben on a gravel road. At the next crossroads, there are two options for continuing on to the Steinplan. For this tour suggestion, we continue to the right and stay on the gravel road for the next 4 kilometres along the ditch. At a sharp right-hand bend, we leave the "main gravel road" and continue straight ahead.Initially on a gravel road and then on climbs, where we can easily orientate ourselves using the red-white-red markings.Arriving at a clearing, we reach the private Einödhoferhütte (3), 1483 m, which we pass on the left.Just above the hut, we come to a gravel road (access road to the Steinplan hut), which we follow to the left to reach the access road in the direction of Steinplan.The hiking trail now leaves the road and leads along a beautiful path to Steinplan (4), 1670 metres.

For a conflict-free coexistence on alpine pastures and meadows it is important to observe a few rules, especially when traveling with dogs. (Source: www.sichere-almen.at - 06/2021)

Avoid contact with grazing animals, do not feed them, keep a safe distance!

Keep calm, do not frighten grazing animals!

Mother cows protect their calves. Avoid encounters between mother cows and dogs!

Always keep dogs under control and on a short leash. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: Immediately unleash!

Do not leave hiking trails on alpine pastures and meadows!

If grazing animals block the way, avoid them as far as possible!

When grazing animals approach: Stay calm, do not turn your back, avoid the animals!

Leave the grazing area quickly at the first sign of restlessness of the animals!Fences must be respected!

If there is a gate, use it, then close it well and cross the pasture quickly!

Treat the people working here, nature and the animals with respect!

A few tips for correct and fair behavior in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at - 6/2021)

Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wildlife is especially active during this time.

Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts & Co have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any trash in the forest.

Camping and making fire - is strictly forbidden in the forest!

In principle, each person is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for personal use in the forest. It is only forbidden if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Weather service: www.zamg.ac.at

Direct link mountain weather Styria: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark

 

Backpack with rain cover

Telescopic / hiking poles

Mountain / hiking boots

Gloves: waterproof and warming

Headgear / sunglasses

Outerwear: Onion layer system, T-shirt, sweater, jacket and winter jacket with hood

Hiking pants

Seat pad

Drinking bottle / thermos flask (on cooler days a warming drink is pleasant)

Snack

First aid kit with blister plaster and tick tongs

Other important equipment

Route descriptionDetailed

plan of the hike

Hiking map: For overview a map in scale 1 : 50 000 of the respective region

GPS device

cell phone

Alternative ascent or descent via the long-distance hiking trail 02 - Click here for the link:  Steinplan over Papst Pirschtling

Knittelfeld railway station is easy to reach by train and bus.

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

Murtal Taxi, Tel.: +43 660 1018101, 8740 Zeltweg, www.murtal-taxi.at

Refreshment stops and overnight accommodation en route:

Steinplan Schutzhaus, Tel.: +43 3512 72210, 8734 Kleinlobming, Hintertal 77, www.steinplan-schutzhaus.naturfreunde.at

Closed on Mondays in June and open from July until the end of October.

Thalberghof, Tel.: +43 3512 48354, 8720 Rachau, Mitterbach 67, www.thalberghof.at

Closed on Mon and Tue, always open on public holidays. (approx. 500 metres from the hiking trail).

Hiking maps of the Murtal region are available at all tourist information offices and online at www.murtal.at  C. und M. Hlatky, (2017): Murtal – Rund um Spielberg – Seetaler Alpen und Seckauer Alpen. Kral Verlag, S. 160