Hohe Ranach by Rothenthurm

We start in the village center or near the Rothenthurm fire station building (1), 742 m, and follow the yellow signposts in the direction of Hölzlkogel, trail no. 45. We walk leisurely less than 1 km into the valley before turning left at the crossroads in the direction of Feistritzgraben no. 6 - 18. On the asphalt road along the small Feistritzgraben, we walk comfortably uphill past a few houses. We soon continue on a gravel road through the forest, where the red-white-red markings and yellow signposts make orientation easy. At an altitude of approx. 1000 meters we reach a large alpine pasture, where we have a very nice view. At the next crossroads, we see another yellow signpost in the direction of Sperlalm - Wenzelalm Kreiskogel and Zirbitzkogel, trail 313, and follow it. We follow the gravel road and always stay on the main path until the road continues as a path. This is followed by a longer section through the forest, where the markings and wooden signs with the inscription "Zur Sautratte" clearly indicate the route. At the Sautratte (2),1430 m, we come directly to the road that leads to the military training area, to the Schmelzhütte and then to the Winterleitenhütte. A few meters along the road and then we turn right onto the forest road. After a short time, we leave the road and hike uphill along the clearly recognizable path until we reach a wooden passage. There are numerous no trespassing signs here. Continuing to follow the markings, we leave the clearing around the Sperlhütte on the right, so to speak. As the altitude increases, we slowly leave the forest and reach the Mühlbacher Sattel (3), 1787 m, which can be recognized by the numerous military signs. Here we keep to the right and can already see our destination ahead of us. We now follow the gravel road uphill for just over a kilometer until we reach the Hohe Ranach (4), 1981 m. The descent is via the ascent route.

The circular hiking trail to the AuErlebnisweg in St. Peter ob Judenburg is a leisurely walk from Rothenthurm. Just the thing for in between. 

By train to Judenburg and bus to Rothenthurm.

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

Several parking spaces available in the village next to the fire station.

Refreshment stops nearby - St.Peter ob Judenburg:

Gasthaus Stocker, Tel.: +43 3579 2210, 8755 Furth 16, www.gasthausstocker.at 

Gasthaus Messner, Tel.: +43 3579 2207, 8755 St.Peter, Möschitzstraße 1

Liebminger meeting point, Tel.: +43 664 2223058, 8755 Rothenthurm, Triesterstraße 13 (Tieber bus terminal)

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1 : 50 000 C. und M. Hlatky, (2017): Murtal – Rund um Spielberg – Seetaler Alpen und Seckauer Alpen. Kral Verlag, S. 160