Erzwanderweg

The snowshoe tour starts with the bus ride from the main square in Vordernberg to the bus stop Präbichl Passhöhe (bus runs every hour). From the bus stop near the mountain rescue building we start. We follow the marking "Erzwanderweg". A narrow trail leads up to the running road and along it in the direction of Handlalm. At the end of the road we go under the ski slope to the Handlalm brake house. Here it goes down a bit steeper to the next flat railroad track. The entire trail is well marked and very varied. Ideal for families with children. After about 2 ½ hours of walking we reach the station of Vordernberg, where it goes back down to the starting point at the main square.  

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.

Walking times: The indicated walking time is to be understood as a guideline, as it depends on the snow conditions, the terrain and the presence of a trail. The individual condition and the stamina for strenuous trail work also play an important role. Sometimes the duration of the tour can change considerably due to large amounts of new snow, broken slush, soft sulzing snow, etc.

Alpine emergency call: Mountain rescue emergency number: 140 EU emergency call: 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.

• Snowshoes
• Telescopic poles with snow plate
• Waterproof mountain boots or lined winter mountain boots
• Backpack: If the snowshoes have to be carried, a backpack with a lid buckle is necessary.
• Gloves: waterproof and warming
• Headgear
• Gaiters: 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 
• First aid kit

Other important items of equipment:

• Cell phone
• Tour description
• Map: For overview a map in scale 1:50.000 of the respective region and a detailed plan of the hike
• GPS
• deviceavalanche transceiver (LVS), 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".

The Erzwanderweg is also an interesting hiking trail in summer, following in the footsteps of Erzherzog Johann.

Vordernberg (main square) can be reached by bus in about 20 minutes from both Trofaiach and Eisenerz.

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

You can find more info about the Erzwanderweg on  Erzwanderweg | steiermark.com

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Hochschwab - Veitschalpe - Eisenerz - Bruck an der Mur. WK 041 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000

ERZBERG LAND Freizeitkarte (available at the office of the tourism association ERZBERG Leoben)

Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2. Auflage 2018): Schneeschuhführer Steiermark – Vom Dachstein bis zum Steirischen Weinland. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, München, S. 176. 

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