Hike from Bruck through the forest home of Peter Rosegger to Mürzzuschlag
From Bruck an der Mur, also known as Kornmesserstadt after its landmark, the Gothic Kornmesserhaus, we first hike up to one of the most recommendable high Styrian panoramic mountains, the 1,629 metre high Rennfeld. On a fine day, the view here stretches from the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern to the East Styrian Thermenland. Several ascent options lead from Bruck an der Mur to the summit. We choose the one via the Himmelwirt and the Almgasthaus Hutterer, but the variant via the Pischkalm can also be recommended.
After a night at the Rennfeld refuge, a long day of hiking awaits us. First we head downhill to the Buchecksattel, with the Grazer Bergland and the striking Hochlantsch dominating the panorama to the south. Not far from this 1,722 metre high peak, the longest water-bearing gorge in Austria, the Bärenschützklamm, leads hikers into the heart of the Grazer Bergland.
Soon after the Buchecksattel, we take a short detour to the Schwarzkogel with its magnificent Hochschwab panorama. Passing the Eibeggerhütte, which is only open on Sundays (but then ‘equipped’ with numerous local delicacies), we continue over the Eibeggsattel (cross the main road!) and the Hofbauerhütte, which is open during the summer (no overnight accommodation!) to the 1,564m high Hochschlag. Here the Teichalm and Sommeralm, the largest contiguous alpine pasture area in Central Europe, dominate the panorama. After a steeper descent, we can now either hike to the Strasseggwirt or choose the longer option to the Schanzsattel with the inn of the same name.
At the Schanzsattel, we spend the night on the well-known Mariazell pilgrimage route, which will accompany us to the Alpl the next day. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation, as many pilgrims stop here.
The oldest cult site in Styria, the 1,499 metre high Teufelstein with its striking rock formation at the summit, is our first destination on the third day. Directly from there, the trail finally leads us into the heart of Peter Rosegger's forest home and thus to his idyllically situated birthplace, the ‘Kluppeneggerhof’. Descending to the Alplpass and crossing the main road of the same name, one of our last ascents begins here, the one to the Pretulalpe with the Rosegger Schutzhaus.
Not far from here is the Peter Bergner lookout point, built in memory of Peter Bergner, who fell victim to a robbery here in 1904. We either visit it on the evening of the third day of the hike or walk past it on the fourth day after spending the night at the Rosegger Schutzhaus.
Following the broad mountain ridge uphill and downhill, we approach the cradle of alpine skiing and also the highest point of our entire tour - the 1,783 metre high Stuhleck with the Alois Güntherhaus right at the summit. In 1892, the Mürzzuschlag hotelier Toni Schruf and two companions were the first people in the entire Alpine region to climb the Stuhleck summit on skis, which he had specially imported from Norway.
The summit itself allows us to look back on our entire tour (after all, we can see 1/3 of the entire Austrian territory from here) and after a long rest at the summit, we hike downhill via the Schwarzriegelalm and the Bettelbauer to Mürzzuschlag. There, a visit to the international FIS Winter Sports Museum (largest collection of winter sports equipment in the world!) brings our tour to an end, and the train or bus will take us back to Bruck an der Mur without any problems.
Overview of huts, mountain pastures and mountain inns with contact details (telephone):
Schutzhaus / Rennfeld, +43 (0) 3864 6761
Almgasthaus Hutterer, +43 (0) 3862 890 121
Pischkalm / Rennfeld, +43 (0) 664 9639610
Alpengasthof Schanz, +43 (0) 3865 8244
Stroßeggwirt am Strasseggsattel, +43 (0) 3171 260
Waldheimathof / Alpl, +43 (0) 3855 8251
Roseggerhof am Alpl, +43 (0) 3173 2711
Hauereck Schutzhaus, +43 (0) 650 4000728
Rosegger Schutzhaus / Pretul, +43 (0) 3170 522
Alois Güntherhaus / Stuhleck, +43 (0) 3853 300
int. FIS Wintersportmuseum Mürzzuschlag, +43 (0) 3852 3504
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From the Greater Vienna area, take the A2 / Southern Motorway and the S6 / Semmering Expressway to Bruck an der Mur. Here, at the new roundabout "Bruck Süd," cross the new Europabrücke bridge over the Mur, then continue via Herzog Ernst Street and Krecker Street to Kirchplatz / City Parish Church. There are numerous free parking spaces in the area between the City Parish Church and the Congress Center.
Covered parking is also available in the paid underground garage at the main square or in the APCOA multi-story parking garage located near the train station.
From Graz and Slovenia, take the A9 / Pyhrn Motorway to Bruck an der Mur. Then proceed as described above. From Linz/Salzburg or Germany, take the A9 / Pyhrn Motorway to Bruck an der Mur. Then proceed as described above.
1st day's stage: Bruck an der Mur (491m) - Rennfeld (1,629m)
Ideally, we start this long-distance hike on day 1 with the ascent from Bruck an der Mur to the Schutzhaus am Rennfeld, where we should also plan our first overnight stay. From Bruck an der Mur (491m) we start via the Himmelwirt and the Almgasthaus Hutterer in the direction of Rennfeld. We reach the refuge via a well-marked forest path and finally via a forest track. The last few metres lead us briefly uphill to the somewhat rocky Rennfeld summit (1,629m, summit cross).
At the summit itself there is an overview board to make it easier to determine the panorama, which here extends from the high alpine regions of the glaciated Tauern and Upper Styria to the Graz Basin, Eastern Styria and even Hungary. We spend the night at the mountain hut (1,619m) directly below the summit.
The house itself, or rather the landlord, awaits all hungry guests with an excellent roast pork. Overnight stays should be booked in advance by telephone, especially in the high season! Bruck an der Mur - Rennfeld approx. 4 hours Length: 10 kilometres
Stage 2: Rennfeld (1,629m) - Eibeggsattel (1,001m) - Hochschlag (1,580m) - Gasthof am Schanzsattel (1,171m)
From the Schutzhaus am Rennfeld or the Rennfeld summit, we start the next day in an easterly direction downhill across beautiful meadows with wonderful views of the East Styrian Joglland, the Teichalm and the rocky Hochlantsch to the Buchecksattel (large signpost).
Now we continue along the ridge, without gaining or losing much altitude, mostly through high forest to the Grabenbauerhöhe (1,451m). Here we have to plan a short detour to the Schwarzkogel (1,448m), around 10 minutes' walk north of the main trail, a real insider tip for panorama fans and photographers who would like to take a full-frame photo of the entire Hochschwab region. Back on the main trail, the path leads us, now quite steeply downhill in places, through forest and finally across a panoramic alpine meadow directly to the Eibeggsattel (1,001m).
On Sundays, the Eibeggerhütte, which is not far from the saddle, is open and offers numerous regional specialities.
We quickly cross the country road at the saddle near a memorial cross and continue uphill to Ederkogel. Especially in autumn, this section of the trail through mixed forests and the meadows in between offers a colorful hiking experience. The path continues, partly steeply uphill, to Aibelkogel, with the Hofbauer Hut located just below it (open in summer, no overnight accommodation, but offering soda and hearty bread with spreads).
We then continue upwards across open meadows, passing a stable building, towards Ebenschlag (1,547 m, summit cross) and the following Hochschlag peak (1,580 m, stunning views of the Teich and Sommeralm as well as the Joglland region). Once again, we descend steeply in places (caution required on wet ground due to slippery tree roots) to Maißhöhe. Here, we have the option to turn right and reach the Strasseggwirt, located about 20 minutes' walk off the main trail. The Strasseggwirt not only plays the Styrian harmonica perfectly but also offers overnight accommodations. However, the main trail continues along the Mariazell Pilgrimage Trail 06, following a wide eastern to northern arc uphill over the Knappensattel and the unstaffed Herrnalm near Fischbach until we reach Schanzsattel (1,171 m) with the Gasthof zur Schanz. The long-awaited rest stop with accommodation and a hearty Styrian meal awaits us here. It is strongly recommended to reserve overnight stays, especially during the peak season, by phone in advance.
Rennfeld – Eibeggsattel – Hofbauer Hut 5 hours, Hofbauer Hut – Schanzsattel 4 ½ hours
Distance: 37 kilometers!
Day 3: Schanzsattel (1,171m) – Teufelstein (1,499m) – Alpl (1,170m) – Rosegger Hut (1,586m)
From Schanzsattel, the trail unmistakably passes the large Peace Cross along the left edge of a small ski slope, first through a dense forest and then across expansive alpine meadows, gradually ascending in a northeast direction to the distinctive Teufelstein (1,499m, a place of power, considered the oldest cult site in Styria). From here, we now hike almost directly south and briefly descend steeply to Halter Hut near Alptor (open on weekends in summer, no overnight accommodation, but a highly recommended traditional Styrian snack platter).
Following a forest road, we continue east for a short distance. Soon, however, the trail turns north and, descending, we reach Lendkreuz (1,044m). Due to forest work in this area, the trail markings may be harder to spot at times!
From Lendkreuz, there are two options for the onward journey: either left uphill to the birthplace of Peter Rosegger (1,144m, recommended, but involves about an hour’s additional walking) or a short stretch down the asphalted road, following it to the Grabler farm and then turning right onto a trail that leads uphill to the Gasthof Schlagobersbauer (culinary tip: the name says it all).
If we choose the route via the birthplace, we can then descend via the marked hiking path to Waldschule and also reach the Gasthof Schlagobersbauer via a signed trail. Following a distinctive east-northeast loop, we will reach the country road that crosses the Alpl. In just a few minutes, we will walk along this road to reach the Roseggerhof (1,096m, highly recommended guesthouse with overnight accommodation available).
The trail continues uphill—however, never too steep, always through cool forests—until we reach Jägerhöhe (1,227m) and then continue almost flat to the Roten Kreuz, a prominent trail junction. Hardly climbing anymore, we soon reach Hauereck (1,301m) with the managed Sonnenhütte (overnight accommodation available). Just a short stretch of trail and then we begin one of the most beautiful panoramic hiking paths in the Eastern Alps, which is also part of the EU project alpannonia®.
From Hauereck, we start uphill through typical alpine forests and, suddenly, we reach the wind farm on Rattener Alm (open in summer) and the Steinriegel peak (1,577m, summit cross). In the shadow of the mighty wind turbines, the trail leads us through often damp and slightly boggy alpine meadows, through a short forest section, to the Rosegger Hut (1,586m), located just below the Pretul summit. Here, we will find overnight accommodation and the obligatory meal of blueberry strudel (in Styria, these are called Schwarzbeerstrudel). It is also highly recommended to reserve overnight stays by phone, especially during the peak season!
Tip: Not far from the hut is the Peter Bergner Observation Tower—an incredible spot for watching the sunset or sunrise!
Schanzsattel – Alpl: 3 hours
Alpl – Hauereck – Rosegger Hut: 3 ½ hours
Distance: 25 kilometers
Day 4: Rosegger Hut (1,586m) – Pretul (1,656m) – Stuhleck (1,783m) – Mürzzuschlag (634m)
If we haven’t already visited the observation tower on the Pretul summit the evening before, we will pass it today on our way to Stuhleck. The tower was built in memory of the unfortunate hut keeper Peter Bergner, who fell victim to a robbery-murder here in 1904. We continue our peaceful hike, comfortably following the broad mountain ridge, first descending slightly, then ascending again, until we reach the highest point of our entire tour: Stuhleck at 1,783m, with the Alois Günther House. From the mighty summit cross, we have a breathtaking view of one-third of the entire Austrian territory, including western Hungary and part of northern Slovenia!
The section of the trail from Pretul to Stuhleck can become quite uncomfortable in bad weather—if that’s the case, the direct descent from Rosegger Hut to Mürzzuschlag is recommended!
After a scenic break at Stuhleck or at the Alois Günther House, we walk a short distance back to the marked junction leading towards Schwarzriegel. Now, we follow the historically significant trail downhill, first to the summer-managed Schwarzriegelalm (a short culinary stop here is almost mandatory!), and then continue past the now-unmanaged Bettelbauer (the site of the first ski ascent of Stuhleck in 1892 by Toni Schruf) towards Mürzzuschlag. Our multi-day tour ends here, at the International FIS Winter Sports Museum, where the history of winter sports is impressively presented—after all, the aforementioned ski ascent of Stuhleck was the first-ever ski ascent of an Alpine peak—a fitting conclusion to an amazing tour!
Rosegger Hut – Stuhleck: approx. 2 hours
Stuhleck – Mürzzuschlag: approx. 2 - 3 hours
Distance: 16 kilometers
From Mürzzuschlag, it’s easy to return to Bruck an der Mur by bus or train!
Dream Ski/Snowshoe Tour, very demanding! Not all accommodations are open in winter! Be aware of avalanche risk!
From Fischbach, the long-distance hiking trail alpannonia also passes through Teufelstein and Stuhleck. This beautiful tour takes us from Stuhleck across Hochwechsel to Köszeg in western Hungary, making it the logical continuation of our multi-day hike. An additional 3 to 4 days of effort are required from Stuhleck!
www.alpannonia.at
Starting point: ÖBB railway junction Bruck an der Mur, long-distance travel center, bus station. Direct inquiries at www.oebb.at. Steiermark transport network: www.busbahnbim.at
Both the starting point, Bruck an der Mur, and the destination, Mürzzuschlag, are easily accessible by public transportation. Bus and train services run every hour between the two cities, even on Sundays and public holidays.
Parking is available in the paid underground garage at the main square or in the APCOA multi-story parking garage located near the train station.
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What the weather will be like
Bruck an der Mur (486m)
