Stage 08 Mariazell Route Sommeralm – Auf der Schanz

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 20,2 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 580 hm

Downhill 812 hm

Highest point 1443 m

Transition into the mountain landscape: From the Almenland Nature Park, forests and ridgelines lead to the Schanz – the starting point for the final stages to Mariazell. Along this 21 km hike lies the Straßegg, whose inn is a well-known meeting place for pilgrims.

The Almenland Nature Park is the largest contiguous low mountain pasture area in Europe and represents a particularly unspoilt cultural landscape, characterised by wide meadows, gentle hills and traditional alpine farming. The well-maintained pastures around Teichalm and Sommeralm are especially typical of the region, offering not only scenic beauty but also culinary highlights, such as regional specialities like Almo beef.

Best season

January

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More information

Detailed information on how to get there can be found here.

At the very beginning, the route passes the striking wind turbine on the Sommeralm, a visible landmark that supplies electricity to around 2,500 households. From here, the trail continues via the Haberstallalm to the Straßegg, a mountain pass connecting the Murtal and the Feistritztal valleys. At the Straßegg the trail also intersects with the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine, which connects the Dachstein Glacier with the wine region.

The path leads through forests and occasional alpine meadows over the Knappensattel and the Herrenalm to the summit area of the Fürstkogel. The five wind turbines located here generate electricity for approximately 13,000 households each year.

After descending from the Fürstkogel, a forest road leads to the Schanz, the destination of this stage. Situated at the transition between the Mürztal and the Feistritztal valleys, it offers not only a welcoming inn but also serves as a starting point for numerous hiking routes. Options include trails along the Zentralalpenweg Trail 02, to the nearby Teufelstein, to Peter Roseggers Geburtshaus at the Alpl, or to Fischbach – providing a variety of opportunities for nature enthusiasts.

From the Schanz above Fischbach, the route splits:
Option A leads via Mitterdorf im Mürztal and the Hohe Veitsch to Mariazell: Informations about Stage 9 A: Route, Duration & Directions Auf der Schanz-Mitterdorf im Mürztal Option B runs through the Waldheimat of Peter Rosegger to Mariazell: Informations about Stage 9 B: Route, Duration & Directions Auf der Schanz-Krieglach

Accessible by train and bus: detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Parking is available directly on the Sommeralm, as it is a central hiking starting point in the Naturpark Almenland.

TVB Oststeiermark, Tel. +43 3335 47147
www.oststeiermark.com

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com
www.steiermark.com/mariazell-pilgrimage-route