BergZeitReise Day Hike No. 15: From Kapfenberg via Rennfeld to Bruck an der Mur

This is where the BergZeitReise concludes on its 15th stage with a solid hike, including crossing a scenic mountain that offers ideal panoramic views high above the Mur and Mürztal valleys. Starting in Kapfenberg at Europaplatz, you walk towards the main square. Shortly after crossing the Mürz River, a path branches off to the left leading towards Burg Oberkapfenberg. Follow this path uphill to a large intersection. From there, the BergZeitReise continues straight ahead towards Prieslbauer, then passes a wayside cross before reaching Frauenberg with the notable Wallfahrtskirche Maria Rehkogel.
The walk from Kapfenberg to Frauenberg takes about 2 hours. In Frauenberg, walk left from the pilgrimage church, heading up the large parking area, and continue upwards until you reach an information board about Rennfeld-Schutzhaus. Here begins the somewhat steeper ascent to the 1,629 m high Rennfeld. The path runs southeast (do not turn off towards Jagaalm) and mostly through the forest. Towards the end, you reach the large summit meadow with the transmitter station, the shelter, and the panoramic summit. A viewboard provides information about the Rennfeld panorama, which stretches from the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern to the Hungarian lowlands, and from the northern Karst Alps to the Karawanken mountains. The hike from Frauenberg to the Rennfeld summit takes about 1 ½ hours.

After a rest at the shelter (overnight stays possible, www.alpenverein.at/ottokarkernstockhaus), the final, longer descent of the BergZeitReise begins. First, you follow the forest road towards Pischkalm, but after about 20 minutes of walking, you turn right and descend along the trail through the forest, which becomes somewhat steeper, towards the Wirtshaus Hutterer (open on weekends). The path then curves in a large arc from north to west, leading to Himmelwirt, a charming inn directly along the hiking route. From here, the trail follows an asphalted road, descending, mostly parallel to the motorway, until you reach the Pischk district of Bruck. Stay to the right, and after a short walk along the Mur River, you will reach either Bruck train station or the nearby Old Town—the starting and ending point of the High Styrian BergZeitReise—after approximately 3 hours from the Rennfeld summit.

Sights along the route:
Pilgrimage Church of Maria Rehkogel/Frauenberg, Oberkapfenberg Castle with the Loreto Chapel, Kapfenberg Old Town with the City Museum

Arrival at the express train station and bus station in Kapfenberg or Bruck an der Mur

In the old town of Kapfenberg (paid), in the center of Bruck an der Mur - underground parking (paid)

Tourist Office Hochsteiermark