Winter hike around the Ingeringsee

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 9,5 km

Time 2:30 h

Uphill 137 hm

Downhill 136 hm

Highest point 1236 m

“Die Photogenic”: This easy winter hike takes you on a 9.5 km route (duration approx. 3 hours, approx. 140 meters of elevation gain) through a fairytale-like natural landscape in the heart of the Seckau Tauern. The Ingeringsee, nestled in a glacial high valley at around 1,200 m above sea level, is surrounded by impressive peaks such as the Hochreichart and Geierhaupt – a real insider tip for those seeking peace and quiet.

The Seckauer Tauern is one of the quieter mountain regions in Austria, characterized by beautiful tours and few managed huts. Well-known hiking destinations such as Hochreichart, Seckauer Zinken and Geierhaupt - at 2417 m the highest peak - to name but a few, are familiar to many mountain hikers. This mountain range is also characterized by lonely mountain lakes, whereby one lake in particular has stood out for tourism in recent years - the Ingeringsee. This beautiful lake in the municipality of Gaal lies at 1200 meters in a glacial valley that stretches from the village of Ingering II (Gaal) to Kettentörl. Thanks to the snowfall of the last few days, the valley and the lake are dressed in their most beautiful winter attire, with the lake and the pretty Klementikapelle chapel making for a beautiful photo motif. Conclusion: a contemplative hike for the Advent season.

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 Knittelfeld-West.
Drive through Knittelfeld and continue to Gaal.
Follow the road into the Ingering Valley.
Continue to the signposted Parking lot 3 (Parkplatz 3) in the Ingering Valley.

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Pass through Knittelfeld and continue to Gaal.
Follow the road into the Ingering Valley.
Continue to the signposted Parking lot 3 (Parkplatz 3) in the Ingering Valley.

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 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Pass through Knittelfeld and continue to Gaal.
Follow the road into the Ingering Valley.
Continue to the signposted Parking lot 3 (Parkplatz 3) in the Ingering Valley.

Parkplatz im Ingeringgraben 3 / Pletzen II

We start at parking lot 3 - from here it is currently closed for the winter - and follow the road into the valley. The route runs along the valley floor without any significant incline, where we cross the Ingeringbach stream and come directly to the last parking lot before the lake. A few more meters straight ahead and we reach the eastern shore of the Ingeringsee. The unmarked circular trail turns left, then we cross a bridge shortly afterwards and follow the forest road, which leads us directly to the Ingeringbach stream. At this point, we see the entrance to the hiking trail on the right (marked red-white-red) and also the bridge over the stream. On the northern shore, we walk more or less directly along the lake to the Klementikapelle chapel and back to the eastern shore. We return to the starting point via the road we already know.

Equipment for Winter Hiking

Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip
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 and sun protection
Hiking poles (with winter baskets)
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:
For snowshoe or ski tours in unsecured alpine areas, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are essential. They are crucial for enabling quick rescue in case of an emergency.

Even a basic winter hike needs proper preparation:

Mountain weather for Styria (including Murtal): wetter.ORF – Bergwetter Steiermark
Emergency numbers: Mountain Rescue 140 | EU Emergency Number 112

Slight incline on forest roads and paths. Depending on the amount of fresh snow, snowshoes are recommended.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Gasthaus Kaiser, +43 3513 88324 www.gasthauskaiser-gaal.at

Sportzentrum Gaalerhof +43 35131 8822

Lorettohof, +43 664 75022779 www.lorettohof.com

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000 Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (3. Auflage 2023): 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