Snowshoe tour from the Salzstiegelhaus to the Rappoldkogel

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 9,0 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 382 hm

Downhill 382 hm

Highest point 1926 m

A summit snowshoe hike in the heart of the Stubalpe in the Murtal adventure region to the 1928 m high Rappoldkogel.

The starting point of this snowshoe hike is familiar to many winter sports enthusiasts, the Salzstiegelhaus on the Hirschegger Sattel. Around 1900, there was a small self-catering hut here, which later served as a rest stop for changing horses on the salt transports from the Salzkammergut to the south. Today, the inn is considered a popular stop for all snowshoe hikers, skiers, cross-country skiers or sledders, so especially on beautiful winter days you will see a lot of activity around the parking lot of the Salzstiegelhaus. The first part of the tour leads us along the Weitwanderweg 05 (north-south long-distance hiking trail) in the direction of the Altes Almhaus. On the easy path, be aware of the avalanche danger of the Rappoldrinne - signs along the way. The ascent to the broad summit area of the Rappoldkogel is somewhat steeper in between, otherwise moderately ascending and convinces with a wonderful view. Basically we recommend the way back via the ascent route, as the descent via the hiking trail to the west is partly quite steep and is reserved for experienced snowshoe hikers only.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Vienna (approx. 2.5 hours):

Take the A2 towards Graz.
Exit at 210-Modriach.
Drive through Modriach and continue on the B77 Gaberl road.
Pass through Hirschegg-Pack and continue to the Salzstiegel Pass summit.
The Salzstiegelhaus is located directly by the road (parking available).

From Graz (approx. 1 hour):

Take the A2 towards Vienna/Klagenfurt.
Exit at 210-Modriach.
Drive through Modriach and join the B77 Gaberl road.
Continue via Hirschegg-Pack to the Salzstiegel Pass summit.
The Salzstiegelhaus is right next to the road.

From Salzburg (approx. 3 hours):

Take the A10 towards Villach.
At exit 63-Altenmarkt, change to the B320 towards Radstadt/Schladming.
Continue via Schladming to Liezen.
Join the A9 towards Graz.
At St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg/Knittelfeld.
Exit at Köflach/Voitsberg and head towards the B77 Gaberl road.
Follow the Gaberl road to the Salzstiegel Pass summit, where the Salzstiegelhaus is located.

There are numerous parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the Salzstiegelhaus.

At the parking lot Salzstiegelhaus (1), 1543 m, we go to the other side of the road and see there the entrance to the hiking trail. We follow the yellow signs with the inscription "Altes Almhaus" No. 505. It goes slightly uphill through a piece of forest until we reach the open alpine pastures. From now on, we always orient ourselves along the forest road in the direction of the Altes Almhaus, whereby the path is easy to recognize even in winter. It goes continuously uphill and after about 2 km we come to the information boards (2), 1597 m, avalanche danger Rappoldrinne. From here we continue for about 1 km along the forest road or the cross-country ski trail until we come to a crossroads (3), 1615 m. The crossroads can be recognized by the fact that the road continues to the right to the Alte Almhaus and we now continue slightly uphill to the left. We stay on the road, which after a short time leads slightly downhill to a small depression. Here we keep to the right towards the forest and see the hiking trail and the red-white-red markings on the trees. From now on the path goes uphill through the forest, in between a little steeper, so that the ascending aid with the snowshoes comes into use. The path through the forest is very well marked and also easy to find due to mostly numerous tracks. At the forest border we then reach a small saddle (4), 1762 m. From here on we are in a protected landscape area (information board) and orient ourselves in the middle of the wide ridge in front of us, which leads to the summit cross (do not go too far to the right, as snowdrifts are possible). At the summit cross of the Rappoldkogel (5), 1928 m, a very beautiful view opens up into Upper Styria, with the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin (Aichfeld) lying to the northwest. From here we can also see the snowshoe tour to the Speikkogel, which lies to the southwest. The way back is via the ascent route.

Variant: the descent via the summer trail to the west is partly steep and reserved for experienced snowshoe hikers only.

Equipment for Snowshoe Hiking

Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip
Snowshoes & adjustable poles with winter baskets
Backpack with rain cover
Layering system: functional underwear, mid-layer, weatherproof winter jacket
Warm hiking pants, gaiters if needed
Gloves (plus a spare pair), hat/headband, scarf/buff
Sunglasses, ski goggles, and sun protection
Water bottle or thermos, snacks
First aid kit, emergency blanket, personal medication
Headlamp, mobile phone with emergency numbers, hiking map or GPS

Additional safety gear in alpine terrain:
When snowshoeing in unsecured alpine areas, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are essential. They are vital for quick companion rescue in case of an emergency.

Snowshoe tours in open terrain require both weather and avalanche updates:

Mountain weather Styria (including Murtal): wetter.ORF – Bergwetter Steiermark
Avalanche bulletin Austria: lawine.at
Emergency numbers: Mountain Rescue 140 | EU Emergency Number 112

If you like the area around the Hirschegger Sattel, you can also hike from the Salzstiegelhaus to the Speikkogel (1993 m) in the west.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Salzstiegelhaus, Tel.: +43 3141 2248, 8741 Weißkirchen, Kothgraben 3, www.salzstiegelhaus.at

Almwirtshaus Altes Almhaus, Tel.: +43 3147 212, 8591 Maria Lankowitz, Kemetberg 60, www.altesalmhaus.at

Gasthof Moasterhaus, Tel.: +43 3141 2160, 8584 Hirschegg, Hirschegg 241, www.salzstiegl.at

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50 000

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

Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2. Auflage 2018): Schneeschuhführer Steiermark – Vom Dachstein bis zum Steirischen Weinland. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, München, S. 176.

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Schneeschuhgehen – Praxiswissen vom Profi zu Ausrüstung, Technik und Sicherheit. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, München, S.192