Snowshoe hike Wildalm

A tour in the Wölzer Tauern in the Murtal adventure region with an easy to moderately difficult ascent to the extensive alpine pastures of the Wildalm. From the Wildalm there are two more rewarding destinations for experienced snowshoe hikers.

A hike to the magnificent alpine pastures around the Wildalmhütte. It begins at the parking lot of the Pusterwald gold panning plant, where you can experience the romance of gold mining during the summer season - without having to travel to America or Australia. The trail leads us at first very comfortably into the Scharnitzgraben and then uphill along a serpentine forest road to the Wildalm in the Murtal adventure region. Up to here we have already covered 500 meters in altitude and snowshoe hikers without high alpine experience are recommended to consider the Wildalm as the destination of their tour and explore the beautiful alpine pastures. Those who still have enough strength and the necessary alpine knowledge can choose between two peaks here - the Gruber Hirnkogel (2080 m) or the Kleinhansl (2217 m).

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

easy

Level of difficulty

8,5 km

Route

4:00 h

Time

510 hm

Uphill

510 hm

Downhill

1753 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

From Judenburg via the B 114 in the direction of Hohentauern (36 km, approx. 40 minutes).

From Trieben an der Pyhrn freeway A 9 via B114 in the direction of Judenburg (44 km, approx. 50 minutes).

By car to snowshoe hiking - a few things to watch out for!

Good winter tires are an absolute MUST!Ice scraper, snow broom, de-icer for the door locks and a small shovel belong to the basic equipment.Put snow chains and a tow rope in the car, even if you are not good with them yourself. Helping and knowledgeable hikers are always available on the mountain!Clear the car completely of snow and ice, especially sweep off the roof of the car completely.When parking, make sure you leave room for other motorists.Always park so that the rest of the roadway remains clear for cars, logging trucks, and snow removal vehicles.Find out about the snow situation on the access road or parking facilities before setting off. (hut host, webcams)

We start at the car park at the gold panning facility (1) (please note: closed), 1265 m, and follow the forest road along the Scharnitzgraben until we see the Rupbauerhütte (2), 1323 m, on the right. Immediately after the hut, turn right, cross the bridge and keep left. Numerous snowshoe and ski touring tracks provide orientation. The route continues leisurely across meadows, then crosses a small stream and continues uphill through wooded areas with small clearings. The numerous tracks lead us directly to the forest road, which we now follow uphill to the right. We pass the Jaurishütte (3), 1555 m, the base of the mountain and nature rescue organisation, and continue immediately over a stream. Shortly afterwards we see the crossroads (summer path to the Wildalmhütte). However, we stay on the forest road, which leads comfortably and gently uphill to the Wildalmhütte (4), 1753 m. The way back is via the ascent route back to our starting point.

Tip for experienced snowshoe hikers: For the ascent to the crossless Gruber-Hirnkogel, we take the direct route over the ridge to the left of the gully. If you would like to stay a little longer in the scenic terrain, you could hike on from there to the summit cross of the Hirnkogel.

In good weather conditions there are still 2 peaks to choose from: the Kleinhansl, 2217m or the Gruber Hirnkogel, 2080m.

The starting point, the gold panning plant in Pusterwald, is not directly accessible by public transport. The nearest stop "Pusterwald Mitterbacher" is about 2 km / 45 minutes walk away.

It takes about 70 minutes to get to the "Pusterwald Mitterbacher" stop from Judenburg and about 20 minutes from St. Oswald-Möderbrugg.

The exact timetable and general information about public transport to the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Ample parking is available at the designated ski touring and winter parking area at the gold panning facility. (Voluntary donation)

Refreshment and accommodation options:

Gasthaus Jagawirt in Pusterwald, Tel.: +43 3574 2233, 8764 Pusterwald, Pusterwald 57, More info, Facebook entry.

Monday, Tuesday day off

Goldwaschanlage Pusterwald, Tel.: +43 664 314 9824, 8764 Pusterwald, Pusterwald 171, More info.

In winter Friday, Saturday, Sunday open from 10:00 am

Freytag & Berndt : WK 203 Wölzer Tauern - Sölktal - Rottenmanner Tauern, hiking map 1:50,000

Regional tourist hiking map Pölstal 1:35 000 (available from the local tourist office and many tourist businesses)

Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2nd edition 2018): Snowshoe guide Styria - From the Dachstein to the Styrian wine country. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, Munich, p. 176.

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Snowshoeing - Practical knowledge from the pros on equipment, technique and safety. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, Munich, p.192