Stage 12 From Glacier to Wine North Route Radmer - Eisenerz

Accessible by public transport

Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 18,7 km

Time 7:00 h

Uphill 752 hm

Downhill 766 hm

Highest point 1306 m

From the idyllic Radmer Valley, this stage leads to the historic mining town of Eisenerz, whose unmistakable landmark is the mighty Erzberg.

Those interested in mining heritage will find plenty to discover at both the start and end of the route. In Radmer, the Radmer Copper Mine with Austria's smallest mine railway offers fascinating insights into the region's mining past, while in Eisenerz the imposing stepped pyramid of the Erzberg awaits with a wide range of visitor experiences.

The hike itself is one of the longer stages of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine. It crosses the Radmerhals Pass at 1,305 metres before continuing via the Eisenerzer Ramsau and its Nordic Training Centre to the historic mining town of Eisenerz on the southwestern edge of the Hochschwab massif.

The Erzberg is truly one of a kind. With more than 1,300 years of mining history, it is both an active mining operation and one of the most modern open-pit mines in Europe, while at the same time serving as a major tourist attraction.

Its extraordinary stepped silhouette dominates the landscape, and visitors can experience the mountain up close through a variety of attractions. Highlights include the fascinating mine adventure tour and a ride in the world's largest 860-horsepower haul truck, an experience that never fails to impress.

Yet Eisenerz has much more to offer than mining heritage alone. Alongside the Erzberg, art and culture play an important role, creating a distinctive blend of tradition and modernity.

One of the town's most remarkable events is the annual Rostfest, held each August. Whether interested in action, art, music, or culture, visitors will find a diverse programme of events and activities. The festival combines contemporary art, music, and cultural projects with workshops and discussions that explore the role of culture and creativity in rural regions.

Best season

January

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More information

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

From the Zum Erzberg Inn (Tel. +43 3635 2145), located between the villages of Radmer an der Hasel and Radmer an der Stube (Tourist Information Tel. +43 3635 2110), the route initially leads out of the valley.

In Radmer an der Stube, we turn right and head southeast towards the Lahngraben. Following the valley gently uphill via the Paargraben, the Heindlgraben, and the Hienharthütte (private hut), we reach the Radmerhals Pass, the highest point of this stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.

From here, the trail descends gradually to the Eisenerzer Ramsau, home to the Nordic Training Centre of the Austrian Ski Association. As training takes place here throughout the year, including during the summer months, hikers may even have the opportunity to watch ski jumpers training on the plastic-covered jumping hills.

With the Erzberg constantly in view, the route continues out of the valley past the Alpengasthaus Ramsau (Tel. +43 3848 60226), the Gasthof Pichlerhof (Tel. +43 3848 3414), and the JUFA Eisenerzer Ramsau (Tel. +43 3848 60560) towards Eisenerz.

After just under 12 kilometres, the trail turns left and continues via the Hohenegg, offering magnificent views of the Erzberg and the historic Erzbergbahn, before descending through the Krumpental to the historic mining town of Eisenerz (Tourist Information Tel. +43 3635 2110 or +43 676 6164847).

The following day brings one of the highlights of the northern route: the ascent into the Hochschwab massif and the stage to the Sonnschienalm.

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

In Radmer there are enough parking possibilities in the middle of the village.

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com

Kompass WK69 Gesäuse, Ennstaler Alpen, Pyhrnpass, Eisenerz www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK62 Gesäuse · Ennstaler Alpen · Schoberpass www.freytagberndt.at