Stage 19 From Glacier to Wine North Route Schneealm - Rax Karl Ludwig Haus

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 13,3 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 888 hm

Downhill 860 hm

Highest point 2006 m

This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine leads from one beautifully situated alpine plateau to the next within the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park, surrounded by the impressive limestone massifs of the Hohe Veitsch, the Schneealm, and the Rax. Requiring surefootedness and a good level of mountain experience, this alpine stage is regarded as one of the most scenic hikes in the north-east of Steiermark. Spectacular landscapes, expansive high-alpine terrain, and magnificent panoramic views make it one of the highlights of the route.

When mountaineers think of classic alpine tours in Steiermark, destinations such as the Dachstein, the Gesäuse, or the Hochschwab usually come to mind. What is sometimes overlooked is that the north-eastern edge of the Alps also offers remarkably alpine terrain, with demanding sections that require experience, surefootedness, and good mountain judgement.

Historically, this region played an important role in the early development of alpinism. During the 19th century, increasing numbers of mountaineers travelled from cities such as Vienna and Graz to explore these mountains. Thanks to the expanding railway network and the region's relative proximity to urban centres, alpine tourism developed rapidly.

However, the growing popularity of mountain sports also brought challenges. One of the most significant events occurred on 8 March 1896, when a fatal avalanche accident on the Rax became the catalyst for the establishment of the world's first mountain rescue stations in Mürzzuschlag and Reichenau.

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.

This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine begins in the heart of the Schneealm (Tourist Information Tel. +43 3857 8321). The route initially crosses the high plateau with only minor ascents and descents, heading towards the Lurgbauer Hut (Tel. +43 676 6335456).

From there, we follow the North Alpine Trail 01 for approximately 1 kilometre before turning left onto Trail 442 in the direction of the Karlalm. The route then descends towards the Naßwand. Please note that this section often lives up to its name: the trail can be heavily eroded and slippery, so bypassing this short section is strongly recommended whenever conditions require it.

At the Karlalm, with its small hunting lodge, we turn right and rejoin the North Alpine Trail. Crossing the Naßkamm, which offers magnificent views into the Altenberg Valley, we pass the unmanaged Zimmermann Hut and the privately owned Gamseck Hut before reaching the Gamseck Trail at the foot of the Heukuppe, the highest peak of the Rax.

The route now becomes more alpine. After passing through mountain pine fields and crossing scree slopes, the well-secured ascent begins. Short ladders and several sections equipped with fixed steel cables help hikers negotiate the terrain before reaching the Rax Plateau at an altitude of around 1,850 metres above sea level.

Important note: On some sections, the steel cables run through only a few anchor points, causing noticeable movement in the cable between them. Please maintain sufficient distance from other hikers to avoid transferring movement along the cable.

After completing this short and relatively easy via ferrata section, the route continues to the summit of the Rax, which at 2,007 metres above sea level is a genuine two-thousand-metre peak. The summit rewards hikers with magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges and back towards the Schneealm, Hohe Veitsch, and Hochschwab.

From the summit, the trail descends to the Karl Ludwig House (Tel. +43 2665 380 or +43 699 11888972), today's stage destination. Recently renovated, the hut combines modern comfort with traditional mountain hospitality. While enjoying a well-earned meal, hikers can already look ahead to the following day's stage, which leads to Mürzzuschlag, a charming town in Hochsteiermark located on the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway.

Important note: A tenant is currently being sought for the Karl Ludwig Haus. Alternatively, you can stay at the Waxriegelhaus, which is around 1.5 km away.

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

It is possible to drive to the foot of the Schneealm via a toll road by car to the parking lot Kohlebnerstand and after a hike of about 1 hour you reach the Schneealpenhaus. The access to the toll road is between the villages of Kapellen and Neuberg an der Mürz directly at the bathing lake Urani.

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

Kompass WK210 Wiener Hausberge, Schneeberg-Rax-Semmering-Bucklige Welt-Mürztal www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK22 Semmering · Rax · Schneeberg · Schneealpe www.freytagberndt.at