Osterwitz Hill Hike Nr. 578/17/578/5+815/553

A beautiful yet challenging day hike through picturesque alpine pastures awaits you, where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy breathtaking views at every turn.

This hike begins and ends at the church square in the small, idyllic mountain village of Osterwitz. You’ll follow Trail No. 17 downhill to the Bethleitenbach stream (980 m) and then continue slightly uphill to the Kupper Forest House: There used to be a station here for Forest Railways II and III, whose timber was transported via a cable car to Forest Railway I and the Laßnitztal valley. After about 1 km, near the Mörtlkreuz, you’ll reach Trail No. 578, which mostly goes uphill through the forest. Above the tree line, you’ll reach the Handalm Wind Farm and hike past the Glashüttenkogel to the Handhöhkreuz. From here, you’ll enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the Koralpe to the Graz Basin. Now follow trail no. 578B downhill to the right—which is also the Way of St. James—to the Poschkreuz. On the gently sloping forest road, which is Trail No. 553, you hike to the Poschalm and past the Poschhütte. The route continues downhill through the forest to the Trahütter Hütte (1,317 m), which invites you to stop for a break. After a well-deserved rest and refreshments at the rustic hut, you make your way back at a leisurely pace to the starting point in Osterwitz.