Stage 14 From Glacier to Wine North Route Hochschwab Sonnschienalm - Schiestlhaus

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 11,2 km

Time 5:00 h

Uphill 965 hm

Downhill 333 hm

Highest point 2273 m

This stage leads through the heart of the Hochschwab massif, often referred to as the Styrian Chamois Mountains due to its exceptionally large chamois population. From the idyllic Sonnschienalm, the route continues via the Sackwiesenalm and its namesake lake, as well as the Häuslalm, to the summit of the Hochschwab at 2,277 metres. From there, it is only a few minutes to the Schiestlhaus, the first certified passive-energy mountain hut in the Alps, situated just below the summit.

The motto of this stage could well be "from alpine pasture to alpine pasture", as the route passes through a succession of beautiful mountain pastures before reaching a truly remarkable destination: the Schiestlhaus, one of the most innovative mountain huts in the Alps.

Originally opened in 1884, the Schiestlhaus offered accommodation for just 20 guests. However, growing popularity soon made extensions necessary. Only ten years later, the hut was enlarged for the first time, and a further expansion followed in 1913, commissioned by the Austrian Tourist Club in response to the rapidly increasing number of hikers and mountaineers visiting the Hochschwab.

During these early construction phases, all building materials had to be transported to the site by mule and by hand. Since 1973, however, the hut has been supplied by helicopter.

As the original building aged, a decision was made at the beginning of the new millennium to construct an entirely new hut. Thanks to outstanding thermal insulation and innovative energy concepts, the modern Schiestlhaus became one of the first passive-energy mountain huts in the Alps. Even during winter, conventional heating is largely unnecessary, as most of the building's energy requirements are covered by passive sources such as solar radiation and waste heat generated by visitors and technical equipment.

This stage also forms part of the BergZeitReise circular hiking trail, which leads through the wild and romantic mountain landscapes of Hochsteiermark.

Best season

January

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More information

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

From the Sonnschienalm (Tel. +43 664 5112474), the trail leads to the neighbouring Sackwiesenalm (Tel. +43 664 2530369) and its namesake lake. Situated at 1,420 metres above sea level, Lake Sackwiesen is known for its pleasantly mild water temperatures and is a popular place for hikers to enjoy a refreshing swim on warm summer days.

After a possible swim and a stop for refreshments, the route continues to the Häuslalm (Tel. +43 664 9503352), which lies only about 20 minutes from the Sackwiesenalm. Thanks to its proximity to the Gasthof Bodenbauer, one of the most important starting points for tours in the Hochschwab region (Tourist Information Tel. +43 3861 3700), the Häuslalm is among the most popular mountain huts in the massif.

From here, the route becomes distinctly alpine and climbs steeply in places via the Häusltrog to the Rauchtalsattel. A short distance beyond the saddle stands the Fleischer Bivouac Hut, an emergency shelter that remains open year-round. While it is not intended for planned overnight stays, it has provided refuge – and in some cases saved lives – for hikers caught in sudden storms, poor weather, or dense fog.

From here, only a few hundred metres remain before reaching the summit of the Hochschwab. Knowing that the destination of this stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine lies only a short walk away, it is well worth taking the time to savour both the moment and the magnificent panorama.

The view extends from the Dachstein, the starting point of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine, across Gesäuse National Park, the Veitsch, the Rax, the green mountains of the Fischbacher Alps and the Grazer Bergland, all the way to the Koralm and the Seetaler Alps in the Murtal.

After enjoying the summit, the trail descends for just a few minutes to the already visible Schiestlhaus (Tel. +43 699 10812199), which is renowned not only for its striking architecture but also for its welcoming hosts and excellent cuisine.

The next stage to Seewiesen offers more memorable mountain huts and authentic alpine hospitality.

Please note: From 15 September to 15 October, parts of the Hochschwab area are subject to an annual hunting closure. During this period, the Sonnschienalm is not serviced. As an alternative, the route from Eisenerz to Tragöß follows trail 837 from the Sonnschienalm to Tragöß, adding approximately two hours to the journey. On the following day, the ascent from Tragöß to the Schiestlhaus follows trails 837 and 838, rejoining the main route at the Häuslalm.

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

The Sonnschienhütte is not directly accessible by car or public transport, for more information please contact the Sonnschienhütte directly.

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

Kompass WK212 Hochschwab, Mariazell, Eisenwurzen www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK41 Hochschwab · Veitschalpe · Eisenerz · Bruck an der Mur www.freytagberndt.at