Snowshoe walking Rosenkogel from St. Oswald - Touren-Impression #1 | © Weges OG Snowshoe walking Rosenkogel from St. Oswald - Touren-Impression #1 | © Weges OG

Rosenkogel from St. Oswald

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A moderately difficult snowshoe hike on the sunny side of the Rosenkogel in the Seckau Alps in the Murtal adventure region.
The Rosenkogel is a popular "snowshoe peak" in the Seckau Alps in the Murtal adventure region, which many hikers know well from the ascent from Gaal (Roßbachgraben). The sunny path, starting from the small village of St. Oswald, is the more sporty and lonely alternative to the 1918 m high peak with more than 1000 meters of altitude difference. In between, not only steeper passages, but also beautiful views let the pulse beat a little higher. This path is well recognizable and marked except for a few places. When you reach the Rosenkogel, we recommend a short detour via the wooden chapel Maria Loretto (1817 m), which is also open in winter. Then follow the path in the direction of Sommertörl until you reach the next signpost. Here turn right and climb a few more meters in altitude until you arrive back at the familiar ascent route. An enjoyable and sporty snowshoe tour that is easy to hike from the valley locations, even if you have to carry the snowshoes on your back in the lower area - if there is no or too little snow.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

Best season

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

The tour in numbers

challenging
Level of difficulty
12,7 km
Route
6:00 h
Time
980 hm
Uphill
973 hm
Downhill
1917 m
Highest point

Map & downloads

More information

From Vienna (approx. 2.5–3 hours):

  1. Take the A2 towards Graz.

  2. At 161-St. Michael junction, switch to the S36 towards Judenburg.

  3. Exit at Judenburg-Ost.

  4. Continue on the B114 towards Trieben/Hohentauern.

  5. At Pöls-Oberkurzheim, turn onto the B113 towards St. Oswald-Möderbrugg.

  6. Follow the signs into the center of St. Oswald-Möderbrugg.

From Graz (approx. 1.5 hours):

  1. Take the A9 towards Linz/Salzburg.

  2. At 161-St. Michael junction, change to the S36 towards Judenburg.

  3. Exit at Judenburg-Ost.

  4. Drive along the B114 towards Trieben/Hohentauern.

  5. At Pöls-Oberkurzheim, turn onto the B113 towards St. Oswald-Möderbrugg.

  6. Continue into the village center.

From Salzburg (approx. 3 hours):

  1. Take the A10 towards Villach.

  2. At exit 63-Altenmarkt, change to the B320 towards Radstadt/Schladming.

  3. Continue via Schladming to Liezen.

  4. Join the A9 towards Graz.

  5. Exit at 100-Trieben.

  6. Drive on the B114 towards Judenburg/Hohentauern.

  7. At Trieben or later at Pöls-Oberkurzheim, switch to the B113.

  8. Continue to the center of St. Oswald-Möderbrugg.

We start directly at the church in St. Oswald (1), 982 m, and orient ourselves by the yellow signs with the inscription "Rosenkogel via Sommerriedlweg 3 h Nr. 01". For the time being we follow the asphalt road, which then continues slightly uphill as a forest road. To the left and right, extensive meadows open up and after a short time we come to a farm. Directly here at the "Tenegger-Hof" we turn right uphill (yellow signpost in the direction of Rosenkogel), for the time being along a road and after a short time the hiking trail leads again to the right. From now on we follow the wooden boards with the inscription "Rosenkogel" and the red-white-red markings, which are easily recognizable on the trees. Here we are also on the Mariazeller Gründerweg (from St. Lambrecht to Mariazell), which can be recognized by the signs. A steep section of path follows, accompanied by several Stations of the Cross. From the last station of the Way of the Cross, the Klarampf Cross (2), 1281 m, it now becomes somewhat flatter. During the ascent we pass a few crossroads, but the path is clearly indicated by markers and signposts. It is important to pay close attention to the markings, including small red-white-red panels with the inscription "Riedelweg 1". With the altitude above sea level and the sparse or open forest areas, the view becomes increasingly expansive. The view ranges from the Seetaler Alps, the Gurktaler Alps to the Wölzer Tauern. The Lachtal with the wind turbines is also very well visible. At Rudersattel (3), 1546 m, we follow the path to the right, which leads comfortably uphill over sections with great views. This path ends in a forest road that leads slightly downhill to the right. Here we just cross the road and see an entrance (4), 1623 m, with a wooden board "Rosenkogel". Attention, this board can be slightly hidden below the snow cover in winter. From now on we go along a path slightly uphill. Soon we cross a steep clearcut, where caution is advised (avalanche danger). We continue through the forest until we reach a forest road again, where we continue to the right. Above us there is again a large clear-cut area. There are no markings to be seen here. We go along the forest road only a short distance, then at the end of the clear cut we leave to the left and keep in a line always slightly uphill through the forest until we come to a much used ascent track. Because here our paths cross with those of the snowshoe and touring hikers, from the Sommertörl to the Rosenkogel. Further it is still about 100 meters of altitude to the summit, with markings and numerous tracks clearly showing the way. At 1918 m above sea level we have reached our goal, the Rosenkogel (5). The descent follows the ascent route, although we recommend a small detour via the wooden chapel of Maria Loretto (6), (1817 m). The wooden chapel can already be seen on the ascent or in the summit area if visibility is good. Then follow the path in the direction of Sommertörl until the next signpost. Turn right here and climb a few more meters until you reach the familiar ascent route again.
The short detour via the wooden chapel of Maria Loretto is recommended, as you have access to the small interior even in winter.

This tour can be reached by public transport.

  • Timetable information: Verbundlinie Styria
  • Tip: Always check the latest bus and train schedules before departure.
There are two parking lots available. On the one hand near the Wenischbach (east of the church) and on the other hand at the western entrance to the village. Both parking lots are only a few minutes away from the church and the starting point.
Gasthof Holzmann - Kirchenwirt, Tel.: +43 3571 2265, 8763 St.Oswald-Möderbrugg, St. Oswald 22, www.gasthof-holzmann.at
Freytag & Berndt (2017): Seetaler Alpen, Seckauer Alpen, Judenburg, Knittelfeld. WK 212 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000
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

Gallery

What the weather will be like

Pölstal (918m)

Morning
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1°C
5%
5 km/h
Noon
slightly cloudy
10°C
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Night
slightly cloudy
4°C
0%
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Fog and clouds will clear slowly and the day will be partly sunny.
Morning
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1°C
0%
5 km/h
Noon
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11°C
0%
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Night
cloudy
5°C
5%
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The day will be dry, but mostly cloudy with occasional sunny spells.
18.10.2025
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1°C 12°C
19.10.2025
slightly cloudy
0°C 11°C
20.10.2025
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0°C 12°C
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