BergZeitReise Day Tour Tip 11 – The Amundsenhöhe near Langenwang

An easy yet scenic hike in the heart of the Fischbach Alps, leading to a summit named after the famous polar explorer Roald Amundsen. The name Pretul itself originates from the Slavic word Predel, meaning “border.” After World War II, local farmers from eastern Styria smuggled valuable food across this very ridge into the Mürz Valley, which had been heavily affected by bombing raids.

The tour begins with a drive from Mürzzuschlag, heading up the mountain road at the Mürzzuschlag West motorway exit to the Bärenkogel Saddle. From there, follow a wide forest road, occasionally cutting across forest switchbacks via a trail, and reach the Ganzalm in about an hour. The Naturfreunde hut and, in summer, the rustic herder’s hut just above it, offer a perfect spot for a break. By the way: Emperor Karl once came hunting in this area — a fact still remembered through the nearby “Kaiserhaus.”

From the Ganzalm, continue uphill across meadows and through short forest sections, finally crossing a large logging clearing to reach the summit meadow of the Pretulalpe. The path flattens out, and soon the distinctive wooden structure marking the 1,666-meter-high Amundsenhöhe — the highest point of the Pretulalpe — comes into view. Surrounded by wind turbines, the summit still offers magnificent panoramic views.

From here, the trail gently descends before rising again toward the southeast, leading to the clearly visible Peter-Bergner-Warte, a lookout tower built in memory of Peter Bergner, the innkeeper of the Rosegger-Schutzhaus, who was murdered in 1904. The tower is now a landmark of the Stuhleck-Pretul ridge.

From the tower, follow a meadow fence for a few minutes to reach the Rosegger-Schutzhaus. To avoid returning along the same path, take the forest road that leads from the hut along the southwestern slope of the Amundsenhöhe in a wide curve back to the ascent route. Shortly before the Ganzalm, you rejoin the original trail and return to your starting point.