Winter hike to the sunrise on the Gaberl

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 6,6 km

Time 2:00 h

Uphill 148 hm

Downhill 146 hm

Highest point 1706 m

The sparkling one: Treat yourself to a unique nature experience: on an easy and short winter hike (approx. 6.6 km, about 2 hours, around 160 meters of elevation gain), the trail leads you from the Gaberl parking lot up to the “Steinernen Miarz” on the Wölkerkogel. An insider tip for this hike is to do it at sunrise..

Experiencing the sunrise on a mountain in winter is a special kind of nature experience. Unlike in summer, you don't have to get up too early for this. A special and easily accessible spot for the sunrise is the Steinerne Miarz on the Wölkerkogel and if you stand here early in the morning and the weather permits, you can experience a wonderful natural spectacle. The snowy landscape seems to be completely transformed by the warm, yellow-orange light and for the few minutes of sunrise you can feel the harmony of nature in a fascinating way.

Best season

January

February

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More information

From Vienna (approx. 2.5 hours):

Take the A2 towards Graz.
At exit 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg.
Exit at Knittelfeld-West.
Follow the signs towards Großlobming.
Drive through Großlobming and Kleinlobming on the L518.
Follow the road up to the Gaberl Pass summit.

From Graz (approx. 1 hour):

Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.
Exit at Voitsberg.
Drive through Köflach towards Gaberlstraße (B77).
Follow the B77 via Maria Lankowitz up to the Gaberl Pass summit.

From Salzburg (approx. 3 hours):

Take the A10 towards Villach.
At exit 63-Altenmarkt, change to the B320 towards Radstadt.
Continue via Schladming to Liezen.
Join the A9 towards Graz.
At St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg.
Exit at Köflach/Voitsberg and join the B77 Gaberlstraße.
Follow the road up to the Gaberl Pass summit.

There is a very large paid car park directly at the Gaberl ski area.

From the car park (1), 1547 m, at the Gaberl, walk along the access road for approx. 50 minutes to the Alter Almhaus. The path is clear and even if it is still dark, you can easily orientate yourself along the road - which is currently snow-covered. Once you reach the Alter Almhaus (2), 1647 m, you can see the Wölkerkogel on the right-hand side, the small hill on which the statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the "Steinerne Miarz", stands. From the Altes Almhaus it is only a few metres uphill and after about 10 minutes we reach our vantage point for the sunrise - the Wölkerkogel (3), 1706 m.

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

Our tip: take a head torch and a hUnser Tipp: Stirnlampe und einen heißen Tee oder Kaffee mitnehmen!ot tea or coffee with you!

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Refreshments and overnight accommodation:

Almwirtshaus Altes Almhaus, 8591 Maria Lankowitz, Kemetberg 60, Tel. +43 3147 212, info@altesalmhaus.at, www.altesalmhaus.atGaberlhaus & Sportgasthof Lipp, Gaberl 1, 8592 Maria Lankowitz/Salla district, Tel. +43 3147 243, lipp@gaberl.at, www.gaberl.at

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1 : 50 000 C. und M. Hlatky, (2017): Murtal – Rund um Spielberg – Seetaler Alpen und Seckauer Alpen. Kral Verlag, S. 160