Schmelzhütte - Hohe Ranach

“The Fleet": This popular family tour is ideal as a beginner's mountain tour, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the region.

A popular trail with great views in the Murtal adventure region in Styria, maintained by the Austrian Armed Forces. Due to the exposed location of the extensive summit area, you have a wonderful view of the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin and the surrounding mountain regions. Here you are hiking in the immediate vicinity of a restricted military area and the hiking trail to the Hohe Ranach is closed during live-fire exercises. You can see the closed times on the homepage of the Austrian Armed Forces. In addition, there is an INFOPOINT board opposite the Soldatenkirche (Soldiers' Church) with a digital display informing about the current closed times of the hiking trails. If you would like to extend the hike a bit, you have the option of heading west to the Erslstand (2124 m) and enjoying the view of the extensive cirque (Fleischhackerboden - restricted military area).

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

9,5 km

Route

4:00 h

Time

440 hm

Uphill

440 hm

Downhill

1970 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

From Judenburg via Oberweg and Ossach, the Seetalstraße leads directly to the grounds of the Schmelz military training area and thus to the large car park opposite the Soldiers' Church. (16 km, approx. 25 minutes).

From Wolfsberg via the B78 to Obdach and then via St. Wolfgang to the starting point (50 km, approx. 50 minutes).

The first short section leads along the MTB route 19a and connects to the hiking trail, which leads in several hairpin bends through the forest to the summit of the Ranach. On the way back, skip the MTB route and take the road that leads close to the Schmelzhütte, where you can enjoy a well-earned refreshment.

On the left side in front of the summit cross is a small closed Bundesheerhütte (army hut) with a bench for resting. As it can be very windy on the Hohe Ranach, you have the opportunity to eat your snack there, sheltered from the wind.

Take the ÖBB to Judenburg. There is a public transport connection to the starting point of the tour itself from May to All Saints' Day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Bus number 873 from Judenburg railway station.

General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Schmelz car park opposite the Soldiers' Church

More information at www.murtal.at/wandern