Teufelstein - A fabulous snowshoe hike, Fischbach

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,9 km

Time 3:00 h

Uphill 443 hm

Downhill 443 hm

Highest point 1498 m

A wonderful snowshoe hike through forests, meadows and with beautiful viewpoints, leads us to one of the most beautiful and mysterious power places in Austria.

According to legend, after being cast out of heaven and into hell, Lucifer would be allowed to return to heaven if he built a tower from the earth to the sky on Christmas Eve. Lucifer carried three large giant stones up to the Fischbacheralpe. He fetched the other stones with a backpack from nearby Veitsch, but the backpack broke under the heavy load and so he was unable to reach heaven within the
imposed time limit.

He rushed back to hell, but left the three stones on the Fischbacheralpe, and they are named after him “der Teufelstein” (the devil's stone).

From a geological point of view, the boulders are the result of weathering.

This cult site in Styria attracts numerous hikers every year at the winter solstice, as well as visitors who come together to witness the natural spectacle of the Devil's Stone as a
calendar stone at the winter solstice.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Vienna via the A2 Südautobahn highway and the S6 Semmering expressway to the Kindberg exit. Here through the Stanzertal valley on the Schanzsattel-Landesstraße L114 to the Zellerkreuz (on the left-hand side of the road) - just before Fischbach.

From Graz via the Weizer-Bundesstraße B72 to Birkfeld and from here via the Schanzsattel-Landesstraße L114 to Fischbach - through the village after just under 2 km to the Zellerkreuz (on the right-hand side of the road).

From Linz/Salzburg/Munich via the Pyhrnautobahn A9 and the Semmering-Schnellstraße S6 to the Kindberg exit. Continue as above.

Further information: Zeller Kreuz, Teufelstein

Fischbach, Zeller Kreuz (free)

We start at the Zellerkreuz
We hike leisurely in the direction of Nordern until we come to the sign "Direction Hochlantsch".
Soon we reach the Alptor
We keep left and reach the Halterhütte a little later
Past the halterhütte we come to an alpine meadow, which we cross
After a short climb through the forest,we reach an alpine meadow where the Teufelstein (Devil's Stone) stands
We follow the green “Schanzsattel” trail markers
Here we pass the small Teufelstein rock
Now we follow the “Teufelsteinrunde” trail markers, which lead us along a forest path to the Schanzsattel, where we
can stop for a break
A forest path takes us to the Schanz.
From there, we take the small path next to the country road uphill.
At two intersections, which are close together, we take the right-hand path each time
Now we come back to the forest road, which leads us back to the Zellerkreuz.

European emergency call: 112

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140 (if possible please provide GPS data)

Rescue: 144

Fire brigade: 122

Police: 133

A few tips on correct and fair behaviour in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at )

Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active during this time.

Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any rubbish in the forest.

Small rucksack with water bottle (+ provisions)

Sturdy shoes / waterproof

Appropriate clothing - preferably several layers - "onion principle" / waterproof

Rain and sun protection

Hiking poles as required

Cell phone

Small first aid kit

Route description

Before starting the hike, check where you can stop for refreshments, including opening times, or pack suitable food.

Snowshoes

We highly recommend hiking up to Teufelstein, a calendar stone, to watch the sunrise on the winter solstice.

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie. For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

Tourism Association East Styria

Office Joglland - Waldheimat

8255 St. Jakob im Walde

church quarter 24

Tel.: +43 3336 20255

www.joglland-waldheimat.at

www.oststeiermark.com

joglland-waldheimat@oststeiermark.com

Hiking map of the Fischbach mountain resort 1:27,778 Fischbach Information Office Tel. +43 3170 206, www.fischbach.co.at

This tour can also be found in the Styria Snowshoe Guide (Rother Verlag) by Silvia Sarvletti and Elisabeth Zienitzer. This guidebook lists the 62 most beautiful snowshoe tours in Styria. The book is also available directly from the Joglland - Waldheimat Tourist Association.