Eppenstein Ruin - Kamper Cross

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 7,6 km

Time 2:30 h

Uphill 400 hm

Downhill 400 hm

Highest point 1114 m

A hike for the whole family to the Eppenstein castle ruins.

When the days are cloudy and foggy in autumn, it often takes a lot of effort to get outside. However, if you manage to get up and go for a short hike, you'll be even happier afterwards: The movement, the air and the rustling leaves below your feet have a positive effect on body, mind and soul. With this hiking tip in the Murtal region, we present a tour for the whole family that can be shortened as the mood takes you. The destinations are after the castle ruins the Mostschenke Korer and last but not least the Kamperkreuz. The Eppenstein castle ruins, perched on a steep rocky spur above the village of the same name, offer a magnificent view of the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin and the Seckauer Tauern mountains towering in the background. Hikers interested in history will find numerous information and puzzle boards along the well-secured path through the castle complex, which can also be played as a geocaching adventure lab.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Coming from Vienna: S36 Murtal highway - exit Zeltweg West - traffic circle direction Obdach B78 - follow until end of village Eppenstein

Coming from Klagenfurt: A2 Südautobahn - exit Bad St. Leonhard - follow the B78 Obdacher Bundesstraße - until the end of the village Eppenstein

From direction Gaberl: B77 Gaberl federal road - follow until end of village Eppenstein

Free parking at the end of the village Eppenstein

We start at the "Burgruinen" parking lot in Eppenstein (1), 722 m. The yellow signposts indicate the direction, so we immediately leave the valley floor and go uphill. Along a forest road and further over the Raimundsteig (can also be bypassed) we come to the access road of the castle ruins. After visiting the Eppenstein ruin, we follow the signposts and the red-white-red markings to the Korer Mostschenke. Passing the buildings of the Korer farm, we hike slightly uphill through the forest until, after about 1.4 kilometers, we reach a crossroads and on the left - somewhat hidden - the Kamperkreuz (2), 1108m. The way back is via the ascent route.

Mostly easy paths and forest roads, short steep section to the castle ruins - be careful in wet conditions.

A few tips for correct and fair behavior in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at - 6/2021)

Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wildlife is especially active during this time.
Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts & Co have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any trash in the forest.
Camping and making fire - is strictly forbidden in the forest!
In principle, each person is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for personal use in the forest. It is only forbidden if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Weather service: www.zamg.ac.at

Direct link mountain weather Styria: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark

Backpack with rain cover
Telescopic / hiking poles
Mountain / hiking boots
Gloves: waterproof and warming
Headgear / sunglasses
Outerwear: Onion layer system, T-shirt, sweater, jacket and winter jacket with hood
Hiking pants
Seat pad
Drinking bottle / thermos flask (on cooler days a warming drink is pleasant)
Snack
First aid kit with blister plaster and tick tongs

Some arguments for late autumn hikes: You consciously leave your comfort zone and learn to deal with wetness, fog and cool temperatures. The next winter is sure to come and so now is the right time to toughen up nice and slow. The paths are often slippery, which makes you walk more concentrated and automatically trains your overall coordination. An essential point, however, is to overcome one's weaker self. So our tip: Don't think about it for long, just get out there.

This tour is NOT considered "accessible by train and bus" because there is no regular connection.

Mostschenke Korer, 0664/1415466, open from 12.00 noon.

Eppenstein: farm store (near the parking lot), 03577/81311.

You can also find this tour on the following hiking map:

Region Murtal - Hiking map 1 & 2

The hiking maps 1,2&3 - you can get for free at the tourism association Murtal - info@murtal.at - Tel.: +43 3577 26600

You can also find more information about the region on - www.murtal.at