Patscha Winter Hike

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 5,7 km

Time 1:55 h

Uphill 307 hm

Downhill 307 hm

Highest point 1273 m

The winter hike on the Patscha offers a winter wonderland that resembles a paradise. A MUST in winter for both experienced hikers and beginners.

The Patscha is certainly one of the most popular mountains in the Weizer region. And rightly so. It is perfect for a half-day tour and suitable for the whole family. Especially in winter, you can enjoy the silence and the beautiful snow-covered landscape. You have views to Anger on one side and to St. Kathrein am Offenegg on the other. The seating at the summit invites you to take a short break before returning to the car park via a cosy path around the Patscha. Don't miss this tour in winter, as it will truly enchant you.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

The district capital of Weiz is located in eastern Styria and is very easy to reach via the A2 from Vienna (approx. 2 hrs) and from Graz (approx. 30 min).

Arrival from Vienna and Graz: On the A2 from Vienna, take motorway exit 161 / Gleisdorf West in the direction of B54 / B64. Follow the B65 / Gleisdorfer Bundesstraße until you reach the B54 / Wechselbundesstraße. At the roundabout take the second exit to the B64 / Rechberg-Bundesstraße. After about 15 km you will reach the district capital Weiz.
Arriving from Graz via the main road: take Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai and Wickenburggasse to Jahngasse / B67a. Follow the B72 to Weiz and take the exit towards Weiz -West.

From Weiz, follow the B64 in the direction of Naas. In the centre of the village turn right and follow the road to Vogelhütte.

Route planner

Parking is available just before the Vogelhütte.

We start our circular walk at the car park below the Vogelhütte.
First we follow the road until we reach the Vogelhütte. From there we hike along the forest path until we reach the first crossroads. Here we keep to the left and follow the path somewhat steeper up to the Patscha.
We follow the path further and further up. After a somewhat steeper section, we come to another junction and keep left here and follow the path up to the summit cross.
We then descend past the summit cross towards the other side. We follow the forest path to the first large crossroads. There we keep to the right and follow this path down until we reach the Vogelhütte again.
The last part of the way back is via the road to the car park.

Important telephone numbers:

European emergency call: 112
Emergency call mountain rescue: 140 (if possible, please provide GPS data)
Rescue: 144
Fire department: 122
Police: 133

Tips for even more hiking fun: Rules of conduct when hiking

A few tips on correct and fair behavior in the forest:

(Source: www.bundesforste.at )

Hikers should avoid visiting the forest approx. 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active at this time.
Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any garbage in the forest.
Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!
In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Before starting the hike, check the possibilities for refreshments or pack the appropriate food.
A good hiking boot is a good companion and should never be missing.
An emergency kit (blister plaster!) belongs in every backpack.
It is always advisable to dress according to the "onion system".
Don't forget rain gear, sunglasses and a water bottle, as well as a camera and map.

Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within easy reach in a side pocket. All things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top.

Take a sleigh or bobsleigh with you and ride it comfortably back to the starting point.

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.

For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

Information about the region, places to stop and stay, excursion destinations etc. can be found here:

Eastern Styria Tourist Board

Weiz office

Main square 18

8160 Weiz

Tel: +43 3172 2319 660

www.oststeiermark.com

weiz@oststeiermark.com

Find out about maps, hiking brochures and other tour tips at the tourist office.