Here is a breakdown of the four-day stages of the Nordalpenweg (Northern Alps Trail) through the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park:
1st Stage
Spital am Semmering (777 m) – Kampalpe (1,535 m) – Preiner Gscheid (1,070 m) – Waxriegelhaus (1,361 m) – Karl Ludwig Haus (1,804 m)
From Spital am Semmering, at the foot of Stuhleck, we start by climbing steeply on the Probststeig to reach Kampalpe, where we meet Trail 01. Continuing along the ridge, we pass over Tratenkogel to Preiner Gscheid, a pass between Lower Austria and Styria. From here, we continue climbing along the Lower Austrian-Steiermark border to reach Waxriegelhaus. Here, we have two options: the Nordalpenweg continues over the romantic Waxriegel alpine landscape with the Siebenbrunnenkessel, or we take the Slangenweg, a shorter route. Both options lead to our stage destination, the Karl Ludwig Haus, just below the Rax summit.
Distance: approx. 16 km
2nd Stage
Karl Ludwig Haus (1,804 m) – Raxgipfel / Heukuppe (2,007 m) – Gamseck (1,330 m) – Lurgbauerhütte (1,764 m) – Schneealpenhaus (1,784 m)
We begin by climbing to Heukuppe, the highest peak of the Rax massif, which is also located in Styria. Then, we descend to Gamseck, where part of the descent is secured with a rope. From the Lurgbauerhütte, we continue to the wide plateau of Schneealm, reaching our destination for the day, the Schneealpenhaus.
Distance: approx. 13 km
3rd Stage
Schneealpenhaus (1,784 m) – Windberg (1,903 m) – Waxenegghütte (1,509 m) – Hinteralm/Wiener Lehrer Hütte (1,446 m) – Krampen (752 m) – Neuberg an der Mürz (730 m)
From Schneealpenhaus, we head to Windberg, the highest peak in the Schneealm area. Continuing through alpine meadows and beautiful larch landscapes, we reach Hinteralm, and then descend to Neuberg an der Mürz. Tip: Visit the monastery with its beautiful courtyard and impressive works of art.
Distance: approx. 23 km
4th Stage
Neuberg an der Mürz (730 m) – Veitschbachtörl (1,408 m) – Hohe Veitsch (1,981 m) – Graf Meran Haus (1,836 m)
Today, we climb up to Hohe Veitsch, one of the most beautiful flower-rich and panoramic peaks in Styria. Passing Veitschbachtörl, we meet the Mariazell Way and continue through Kleinveitschalm with the Grundbauernhütte to reach the summit of Hohe Veitsch. After enjoying the stunning panoramic view, we descend a short way to the Graf Meran Haus, our stage destination.
Distance: approx. 19 km