Family hike to Schneealm in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park

From the parking lot at the end of the toll road, follow the wide forest road uphill (several shortcuts through the forest or over the alpine meadows are possible) until reaching a prominent junction near the so-called Kutatschhütte (shelter). Here, turn right and walk towards the already clearly visible Schneealmhaus. You will reach it after about 1 to 1.5 hours of walking from the parking lot.

After a short break, continue across the high alpine plateau towards Hochalm (from here, the Windberg summit can be easily reached in about 30 minutes).

Now, follow the wide alpine road until the previously mentioned turnoff and descend directly via a trail, passing the clearly visible transmission tower (great viewpoint), down to the parking lot.

Most hikes and mountain tours in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park take place in alpine terrain. Especially on longer hikes and mountain tours, good physical fitness, surefootedness, and a head for heights are highly recommended. On the high plateaus of the Rax, Schneealm, and Veitsch, orientation can be difficult in fog or poor weather. In winter, always be aware of avalanche danger!

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Rescue stations in Neuberg an der Mürz and Mürzzuschlag.

Packing your backpack properly makes everything easier:

Pack heavy items first. Your water bottle (ideally 1 liter or more) should always be easily accessible, ideally in a side pocket. Items that are frequently needed, such as sunglasses, camera, mobile phone, or hiking map, should be placed on top.

An emergency kit, including blister plasters, should be in every backpack. Dressing in layers (the "onion principle") is always recommended! And for alpine hikes, never forget proper rain protection! Helmet!

In winter, for ski tours and snowshoe hikes, appropriate safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe) is mandatory! Always check the avalanche report before the tour (www.lawine-steiermark.at).

Avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes can be rented at the Nature Park Office for a small fee.

After the hike, take a refreshing dip in the natural swimming pond at Teichwirt Urani!

In winter, this hike makes for a wonderful ski tour!

Nature Park Taxi in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park: Tel. +43 3857 20170, www.naturparktaxi.at

ÖBB www.oebb.at or Verbundlinie Styria www.busbahnbim.at

The BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie makes checking public transport schedules easier than ever:
All bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched by entering place names, addresses, stops, or points of interest. The app is available for free on smartphones (Android, iOS) – on Google Play and in the App Store.

Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel. +43 3857 8321, www.muerzeroberland.at, open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00

Tourism Association Hochsteiermark, Tel. +43 3862 55020, www.steiermark.com/hochsteiermark

Mountain, hiking, and nature park guides: For information, contact the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel. +43 3857 8321