Hiking route Stage 12: Stanglam / Wittmaierhütte – Kindberg – Alpine Inn Pölzl (Schwammerlwirt) - Touren-Impression #1 | © Hochsteiermark Hiking route Stage 12: Stanglam / Wittmaierhütte – Kindberg – Alpine Inn Pölzl (Schwammerlwirt) - Touren-Impression #1 | © Hochsteiermark

Stage 12: Stanglam / Wittmaierhütte – Kindberg – Alpine Inn Pölzl (Schwammerlwirt)

Hike through the Mürz Valley
First, a long hike downhill along forest paths and logging roads to Kindberg, followed by an uphill climb on the 'Herzerlfresserweg' trail to the Pölzl alpine inn.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

Best season

January
February
March
April
November
December

The tour in numbers

medium
Level of difficulty
15,0 km
Route
4:30 h
Time
540 hm
Uphill
925 hm
Downhill
1484 m
Highest point

Map & downloads

More information

From the Wittmaierhütte, begin by hiking a short distance uphill behind the hut. After just a few minutes, you'll reach a wide forest road heading directly west toward the wind turbines. Turn right here and follow the blue-marked bypass trail, which runs slightly south of and parallel to the forest road across the wooded Mitterdorfer Alpe, leading to a small chapel at the "Rotes Kreuz" (Red Cross).

At this point, the trail curves right, heading north, and descends along the Töschbach stream into the Mürz Valley. After crossing the Mürz river in the valley, you arrive in Kindberg.

As an alternative, instead of turning right at the chapel, you could continue straight ahead and descend via the Wolfsbrünndl and the guesthouse “Pension Ochnerbauer” to reach Kindberg.

Either way, the hike from the Wittmaierhütte to Kindberg takes about three leisurely hours.

From there, the route continues: past the outdoor swimming pool and Schloss Oberkindberg, and uphill along a paved road to the junction with the “Herzerlfresserweg.” This hollow path climbs steeply at first, then levels out somewhat and leads to the Herzerlfresser shrine (“Herzerlfressermarterl”).

Chances are, your pace quickens here, and you soon pass the Groisbrunn farm on your left before reaching a scenic meadow on the Herzogberg. From here, follow the Herzogberg circular trail, eventually turning left for a few minutes onto a paved mountain road. After around 1.5 hours, you'll arrive at the alpine inn Pölzl – also known as the 'Schwammerlwirt'.

Sights along the route:
Wind farm, Calvary Hill (Kalvarienberg), guild pole and Kindberg town center, St. George’s Church (Georgibergkirche), Oberkindberg Castle, and the Herzerlfresser shrine (Herzerlfressermarterl).

Getting there by public transport:
The valley town of Kindberg is accessible by train and bus.
The alpine inn Pölzl can also be reached by car.

Gallery

What the weather will be like

St. Barbara im Mürztal (588m)

23.08.2024
very sunny
13°C 29°C
24.08.2024
sunny
15°C 31°C
25.08.2024
sunny
15°C 29°C
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