Bear Oven Way

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 12,0 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 435 hm

Downhill 417 hm

Highest point 1720 m

A magnificent panoramic view from the summit of the Bärenofen rewards you on this tour. A detour to the impressive high moor lake, See Eben, is also more than worthwhile.

Starting from the Rehbockhütte (Roe Deer Hut), a relatively gentle climb awaits you up to the Bärenofen (Bear Oven), where, especially in good weather, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view. Once you've had your fill of the stunning panorama, return along the same path.

You begin your hike full of energy and anticipation for a unique excursion, walking briefly along the Hebalm road until you turn left onto trail marked 551. After about a kilometer, you'll meet the long-distance hiking trail number 505. This trail leads you past the Stoffhütte (Fabric Hut) until, after approximately two kilometers, you reach the junction for the summit of the Bärofen. Here, follow the signs to the right until you reach the summit cross of the Bärofen. Here you'll experience a unique view of the surrounding peaks and can see across the Graz Highlands to Eastern Styria. Be sure to capture this view with your camera! About 500 meters before the Stoffhütte (fabric hut), you should turn slightly right and take a detour of about fifteen minutes, as this leads you to the highlight of this hike: the viewing platform. At the top of the platform, you have a magnificent view of a special natural gem – a raised bog. Don't miss this unique opportunity; you won't easily find something like this again.

Best season

January

March

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More information

Coming from Graz via the A9, at the Graz-West motorway junction take the A2 towards Klagenfurt. Take the Lieboch exit and follow the B76 towards Lannach-Deutschlandsberg and continue to Hebalm.

Starting from the Rehbockhütte, a relatively easy climb up to the Bärenofen awaits you, where you will be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view, especially in good weather.

Full of energy and anticipation of a unique hiking excursion, you start off briefly along the Hebalm Landestraße road until you turn left onto the trail marked 551. After about one kilometre you meet the long-distance trail with the number 505. This trail leads you past the Stoffhütte until you reach the turn-off to the summit of the Bärofen after about two kilometres. Here you follow the markings to the right until you reach the summit cross of the Bärofen. Here you will experience a unique view of the surrounding peaks and can look over the Graz mountain region all the way to eastern Styria. Be sure to capture this view on camera.

About 500 metres before the Stoffhütte, you should turn half-right and take a diversion of a quarter of an hour, because this will lead you to the highlight of this hike, the viewing platform. At the top of the platform you have a magnificent view of a special natural jewel - a high moor. Don't miss this unique opportunity, you won't easily find something like this again.

From the Rehbockhütte you also have another option to reach your destination. Set off across the ski slope, which blooms brilliantly in spring and summer, and continue along the forest road to the Stoffhütte. Unfortunately, the way there is not marked, but you will still find the hut easily. Just walk straight ahead for two kilometres. Immediately before the Stoffhütte, you will meet the trail described above with the number 505.

Once you have seen yourself from the magnificent panorama instead, you can go back the same way. For more variety, there is another variant available.

Why not opt for the descent variant via Wolfsstein and Wildbachersattel to the Stoffhütte. Shortly below the Bärofen summit, after a cosy stop and a hearty snack at the Langhans inn, turn right and after about 500 metres turn left at the Pfeifer Stocher inn. A salad with genuine Styrian pumpkin seed oil is particularly recommended, or ask for an egg dish with the green gold of Styria. A classic that restores strength to tired hiker's legs.

Afterwards, well fortified, follow the markings across the alpine pasture, later continuing along a forest road to the Wolfsstein junction. Here you keep left to the Wolfstein and the Wildbacher Sattel. Here you turn left again and return to the Stoffhütte along the familiar trail with the number 505. On this variant, the way down takes about one and a half hours. Fans of the region do not hesitate to explore both routes. Each is a special experience in itself.

A particular highlight is the breathtaking view over the surrounding peaks from the summit of the Bärenkopf (1720 meters). From here, you can spot the following summits – for this, it's advantageous to have binoculars in your backpack: Koralmspeik, Steiner Alps, Karawanks, Julian Alps, Saualm, Zirbitzkogel, Niedere Tauern, Eisenerz Alps, Hochschwab, Hochlantsch, Schöckl, Demmerkogel, and even as far as Eastern Styria. You absolutely must capture this panorama with your camera, as it's a view that is probably unparalleled.

Many starting points for our hikes in southern Styria can also be reached by public transport.

For a relaxed and sustainable journey, we recommend travelling by bus and train wherever possible. Depending on the region, additional local transport options are available.

This allows you to start your tour stress-free while also contributing to climate and nature conservation.

All information on public transport, local mobility services and timetables can be found at: www.suedsteiermark.com/arrival

The nearest railway station is in Frauental or Deutschlandsberg.

At the Rehbockhütte or along the Hebalm road.

Information office:

South Styria Tourist Association, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, Hauptplatz 40

www.suedsteiermark.com