Hochalm - Maria Schnee from "Kühberger"

We first follow the forest road, but the excellent signposting soon leads us away from the serpentine road. The trail leads us along some huts and a stream. Then the path turns into a footpath, we also pass a game gate until the path leads uphill to the right on a forest path. The path is a little steeper but easy to walk. We now leave the stream that has accompanied us until now. After the ascent in the forest, we come out on the forest road and can continue directly opposite on an alpine pasture. Now the view becomes wider and we reach the car park in front of the Grafenalm - attention, the Grafenalm is closed. Here you have a wonderful view in the direction of Murtal and Zirbitzkogel. We are now about halfway there.

 

On the left side of the hill is a prominent tree - the path now leads directly past the Wetterlärche. Of course, you can also follow the forest road, because the ascent over the Almenboden is relatively steep, and it is worthwhile to use hiking poles here. We then briefly pass through a piece of forest again. The path continues and we can already see the Hochalm with Maria Schnee in front of us. A great photo motif from this position. Following the wide path - which becomes steeper again - we soon lose sight of the Hochalm again. The climbers among us dare to climb directly over the alpine pasture floor.

But after the ascent above the path, as soon as we have finally reached the tree line, we see the Seckauer Zinken and the special shape and red colour that this mountain range has. Even though we have the feeling that we must have reached Maria Schnee long ago, we realise that we are now approaching the church from the back.

 

Even if Maria Schnee is the destination for most hikers - a detour to the summit cross of the Hochalm is definitely recommended. It is only a few hundred metres to the top, but you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Eisenerz Alps and Hochschwab.