Mountain Hike Via the Amaliensteig to the Rax in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park - Touren-Impression #1 | © TV Hochsteiermark Mountain Hike Via the Amaliensteig to the Rax in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park - Touren-Impression #1 | © TV Hochsteiermark

Via the Amaliensteig to the Rax in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park

A small but true mountain hike on the Styrian side of the Rax. The Raxenmäuer offers a somewhat forgotten climbing route up to the 2,007-meter-high Heukuppe. Caution - the Amaliensteig is no longer maintained and lacks current markings and trail maintenance!

Not far from the often crowded Preiner Gscheid on beautiful summer and autumn days, the Koglergraben offers a relatively solitary ascent route to the Rax. If you then choose one of the short, secured via ferratas (Reißthalersteig, Gretchensteig, Wetterkoglersteig) or even the unprotected, but not too difficult, climbing ascent via the formerly popular Amaliensteig, a fantastic mountain day is guaranteed.

The Amaliensteig runs to the left of the well-known Reißthalersteig over partly rocky, grass-covered terrain with short climbing sections, leading directly to the high plateau near the Heukuppe, the highest point of the Rax.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

Best season

January
February
March
April
November
December

The tour in numbers

medium
Level of difficulty
8,1 km
Route
5:00 h
Time
1015 hm
Uphill
1015 hm
Downhill
2007 m
Highest point

Map & downloads

More information

From Kogleralm, a green-and-white-marked trail initially leads us steeply over alpine meadows and then through forests, partly steep, for about 1 hour upwards to the distinctive trail junction below the Reißthalerhütte (unmanaged).

Here, we do not follow the trail straight uphill (Gretchensteig), but instead turn left, walking more flatly, where after a few minutes, we reach the somewhat hidden Reißthalerhütte.

From there, the trail ascends again, veers right from the forest road, and leads us in numerous switchbacks, and finally through somewhat stony terrain to the base of the Raxenmäuer (entrance to the secured Reißthalersteig, memorial plaque).

Here, we turn left onto the blue-painted footpath trail (the trail is partly hard to recognize) until, after about 5-10 minutes, we see a rock with the old inscription "Amalienst" in a recess in the wall.

Now, climb directly upwards over some grassy rock (caution when wet!) and slightly to the right (old blue markings) over gravelly ledges (UIAA grade I) into a shallow gully. Continue upwards through the gully (do not veer left, as further up the ridge-like rock ledge becomes impassable), always following the blue markings until a rocky rise.

Climb over this (UIAA grade I - II) and from here, head slightly left to the plateau.

In a few minutes, reach the impressive summit marker on Heukuppe at 2,007 meters – a magnificent panorama awaits us.

Descent via the Karl Ludwig Haus (managed) and either the Gretchensteig or the Reißthalersteig back to Koglergraben and the starting point.

After visiting the Karl Ludwig Haus, a short ascent to the upper entrance of the Reißthalersteig is worth it. From here, descend via the Reißthalersteig (ladder, rope protection) to the base of the wall. A memorial plaque marks the site where the world's first mountain rescue service was founded after an avalanche accident in 1896.

From here, descend directly down the Koglergraben to the starting point.

Nature Park Taxi in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park: Tel.: +43 3857 20170, www.naturparktaxi.at

ÖBB www.oebb.at or Verbundlinie Steiermark www.busbahnbim.at.

With the BusBahnBim App from Verbundlinie, timetable information is easier than ever: All connections with buses, trains, and trams in Austria can be queried by entering places and/or addresses, stops, or important locations. The app is available for free on smartphones (Android, iOS) – on Google Play and the App Store.

Limited parking available at Kogleralm, please observe the parking regulations and do not block the access road!

Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel. +43 3857 8321, www.muerzeroberland.at, open Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 12:00

TV Hochsteiermark, Tel.: +43 3862 55020, www.steiermark.com/hochsteiermark

Mountain, hiking, and nature park guides: Information available at the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park Office, Tel.: +43 3857 8321

Gallery

What the weather will be like

Neuberg an der Mürz (734m)

23.08.2024
very sunny
14°C 27°C
24.08.2024
sunny
17°C 29°C
25.08.2024
sunny
17°C 28°C
In love, Hochsteiermark

Accommodation nearby

Discover the Styrian diversity: various accommodations, offers, opportunities and much more for your stay!
Continue to search