Bruck Hochanger Loop via Susannen and Herrensteig Trails
From Bruck an der Mur, the trail gently winds through the Weitental Nature Conservation Center and across the Schweizeben (alpine pasture, with a serviced hut) to the scenic summit of Hochanger (alpine meadow, mountain shelter, summit cross).
Together with the Weitental Nature Conservation Center and the publicly accessible wildlife rescue station at the start of the tour, this makes for an ideal family-friendly outing. The two mountain huts along the way, combined with the surprisingly exciting ascent for a forest and meadow mountain, offer a varied and enjoyable day of hiking.
This tour is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ascents to the Hochanger summit.
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From Vienna: Take the A2 Southern Motorway and S6 Semmering Expressway to the Bruck an der Mur exit. At the roundabout, take the third exit towards Leoben. After 100 meters, turn left at the first traffic light (signposted “Weitental”).
Then, keeping right, pass under both the railway and the expressway, continuing past the cemetery to the parking area at the entrance to the Weitental valley.
Coordinates: N 47.40398° E 15.27535°
From Graz: Take the A9 Phyrn Motorway and S35 Bruck Expressway to the Bruck an der Mur exit. From there, continue as described above.
From the west (Linz, Salzburg, Germany): Take the A9 Phyrn Motorway and S6 Semmering Expressway to Bruck West. At the exit, keep left until reaching an intersection near a furniture store. Then, keep right through the Bruck district of Oberaich, just before the roundabout mentioned above. At the traffic light, turn right (signposted “Weitental”) and continue as described above.
The starting point is located close to the JUFA Weitental in the south of Bruck an der Mur. The wide path initially leads downstream to the mentioned wildlife rescue station in the Weitental Nature Conservation Center, which can be reached after just 15 minutes of walking. It's worth stopping here for a brief visit.
The wide forest road continues for another 30 minutes until reaching the source of the "Kalte Quelle" (Cold Spring). This spring was once used to supply water to the city of Bruck and today quenches the thirst of all passing hikers.
From here, the trail narrows, and after a few minutes, the path turns left and climbs upward toward the Susannensteig. The gradient increases noticeably, and the trail has now become a narrow path. Several switchbacks lead through dense forest to a rock formation. This is spectacularly but safely crossed using several wooden ladders (wide handrails), with an impressive view down into the Weitental valley at the upper section.
Near the unmistakable, fenced-in summit cross, you'll find the Hochanger Mountain Shelter, which is open year-round.
The descent begins on the wide forest road heading north, gently downhill for about 15 minutes to a distinctive trail junction. The left option brings hikers directly back into the Weitental valley, returning to the starting point.
The right option (recommended) continues on the wide path to an intersection of several hiking trails, about 60 minutes from the Hochanger Mountain Shelter. Here, hikers can take a break at the Schweizeben Alpine Inn, located on a large alpine meadow near the intersection.
After this break, return to the earlier-mentioned trail junction. From here, a somewhat narrower path ("Susannensteig") leads steeply downhill to the Weitental Nature Conservation Center and ultimately back to the starting point.
A visit to the wildlife rescue station in the Brucker Weitental makes for the perfect conclusion to the hike.
The BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie makes checking public transport schedules easier than ever.
All bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched by entering place names and/or addresses, stops, or points of interest. The app is available for free for smartphones (Android, iOS).
ÖBB www.oebb.at or Verbundlinie Styria www.busbahnbim.at
The BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie makes checking public transport schedules easier than ever:
All bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched by entering place names, addresses, stops, or points of interest. The app is available for free on smartphones (Android, iOS) – on Google Play and in the App Store.
Free parking at the entrance to the Weitental valley,
Coordinates: N 47.40398° E 15.27535°
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Bruck an der Mur (486m)
