Rosenkogel via Grünholzsteig

We start at the church in St. Oswald (1), 982 m, where there is an overview board for hikes in the immediate vicinity. At this overview board we see the yellow signpost with the inscription "Rosenkogel via Grünholzsteig". We follow the signpost and walk through the small village, over the bridge and then uphill along the Wenischgraben. The hiking trail leads along the asphalt road, which we follow straight ahead for approx. 1.7 km. We continue along the Wenischbach stream on a gravel road until we continue straight ahead on a path and pass a hut. Immediately after the hut, we turn left and continue on a gravel road that leads past the Gigerhütte (2), 1252 m. After a short while, you will see the start of the hiking trail on the left with a wooden bench and wooden signposts. From now on, the trail is a little steeper along a path through the forest, crossing forest roads several times and passing a fountain before reaching the Sommertörl pass crossing (3),1644 m. On the right we see the summer parking lot at the Sommertörl. We follow the wide hiking trail to the left. The path is well marked and leads across open alpine pastures and partly through forest sections directly to the Maria Loretto Chapel (4), 1817 m. There is a fence around the chapel, so you pass right by the chapel and then walk slightly uphill across the open areas - with few trees - directly to the summit of Rosenkogel (5), 1918 m. The signpost in the direction of Sommertörl is not in the immediate vicinity of the summit cross, so keep slightly to the left from the ascent and you will see the entrance and also the yellow signpost at the edge of the forest. Now follow the clear and well-marked path downhill to the crossroads at Sommertörl and St. Oswald. At this point, you have to decide whether to return the same way or opt for the descent via the Sommerriegel.

The descent via the Sommerriedelweg is a wonderful circular route.

St. Oswald is connected to the public transportation network and can be reached by bus. (From Judenburg approx. 40 minutes)

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

There are two parking lots. One is near the Wenischbach stream (east of the church) and the other is 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, St. Oswald 22, 8763 St. Oswald-Möderbrugg,  www.gasthof-holzmann.at  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