(1) From the Kornmesserstadt to the Steirische Gamsgebirg´ Bruck an der Mur - Floning – Etmißl
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,165m, Descent 950m
- Distance: 20 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest and meadow hike, partially poorly marked!
- Public transport: Fast train station Bruck an der Mur
- Taxi service: www.infos-online.at/taxi-bruck-mur
- Start and finish: Bruck an der Mur station, Etmißl, underground parking (fee required) in the center of Bruck an der Mur
- Route summary: A hike with short road sections, mostly in the forest on hiking trails and paths over scenic meadows and alpine areas, unfortunately poorly marked.
- Abortion options: South of Floning, descent to St. Katharein an der Laming possible.
- Sightseeing along the stage: Old town of Bruck an der Mur with Schlossberg, Minoritenkirche, Heilig-Geist-Kapelle, Kornmesserhaus, Eisernem Brunnen, and the beautiful Stadtpfarrkirche.
(2) On the Way to the Most Beautiful Place in Austria Etmißl – Tragöß / Grüner See – Sonnschienalm
- Hiking time: 6 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,320m, Descent 500m
- Distance: 19 kilometers
- Difficulty: Hike through extensive forests, through a picturesque rocky gorge, along forest paths and alpine meadows with a short, somewhat steeper section (narrow trail with rope protection, some surefootedness required)
- Public transport: Bus connection from Bruck an der Mur and Aflenz Kurort
- Taxi service: www.taxigombotz.at
- Start and finish: Etmißl, Sonnschienalm, parking available in Etmißl
- Route summary: Similar characteristics as stage 1, but with a few more elevation meters to ascend. The secured passage through the gorge is short and poses no problem for experienced hikers.
- Abortion options: Tragöß Oberort
- Sightseeing along the stage: Grüner See natural jewel, Marienklamm in Tragöß
(3) Over the Highest Point of the BergZeitReise Sonnschienalm - Hochschwab - Voisthalerhütte – Seewiesen
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,030m, Descent 1,610m
- Distance: 23.5 kilometers
- Difficulty: In poor weather, orientation can be difficult, open highland, avoid during thunderstorms (exit necessary!)
- Public transport: Not possible to reach Sonnschienalm, bus connection to Seewiesen from Bruck an der Mur or Kapfenberg
- Start and finish: Sonnschienalm, Seewiesen
- Route summary: Scenic, long, and alpine (orientation) demanding hike over the highest point (Hochschwab summit, 2,277m) of the entire BergZeitReise
- Abortion options: At Häuslalm, descent to Gasthof Bodenbauer, descent over the “G´hackte” just below the Hochschwab summit is not recommended (chains required, absolute surefootedness needed!)
- Sightseeing along the stage: Sackwiesensee, the highest bathing lake in Styria, Schiestlhaus (first high alpine passive house in the Alps)
(4) On Historical Paths to the Magna Mater Austriae Seewiesen – Mariazeller Gründerweg – Mariazell
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 760m, Descent 840m
- Distance: 26.5 kilometers
- Difficulty: Long hike over forest and forest roads, with short road sections, partially poor marking
- Public transport: Bus connection from Bruck an der Mur or Kapfenberg to Seewiesen and Mariazell
- Taxi service: www.hochschwab-reisen.at, www.taxi-steiner.at
- Start and finish: Seewiesen, Mariazell, parking available in Seewiesen
- Route summary: A long hike on an old pilgrimage route with no major elevation differences and technically demanding sections, but some missing markings. The stage can also be shortened using public bus transport (e.g., Gollrad, Gußwerk).
- Abortion options: Possible until Wegscheid, then again at Gußwerk
- Sightseeing along the stage: Pfarrkirche zum Heiligen Leonhard, the "Steirische Heiligenblut" in Seewiesen, Brandhof of Erzherzog Johann (accessible only with a guide), Kapelle am Sigmundsberg
(5) The Pilgrimage Classic Mariazell – 7-Point Path – Niederalpl
- Hiking time: 6 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 960m, Descent 590m
- Distance: 18.5 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest, meadow, and forest road hike
- Public transport: Bus connections to Mariazell from Bruck an der Mur, Kapfenberg, or Mürzzuschlag; to Niederalpl from Mürzzuschlag (not daily!)
- Taxi service: www.taxi-scheucher.at
- Start and finish: Mariazell, Niederalpl, plenty of parking (fee required) in Mariazell
- Route summary: One of the classic pilgrimage routes to Mariazell, although walked here and in reverse, beautiful forest, meadow, and alpine paths, especially in the Mooshuben - Herrenboden - Niederalpl area
- Abortion options: Descent towards Fallenstein in the middle part
- Sightseeing along the stage: Mariazeller Basilica with Treasury and Candlestick Grotto, Mariazeller Bürgeralpe, Heimathaus, Mariazellerbahn and Museum Tramway, stations of the 7-point path
(6) Rotsohler, Teufelsteig and Other Dark Figures Niederalpl - Hohe Veitsch - Veitschbachtörl – Neuberg an der Mürz
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,070m, Descent 1,560m
- Distance: 24 kilometers
- Difficulty: Alpine mountain hike with steeper sections, orientation on the Hohe Veitsch plateau can be tricky in poor weather, avoid during thunderstorms (exit necessary!)
- Public transport: Bus to Niederalpl (not daily!), bus to Neuberg an der Mürz from Mürzzuschlag every 2 hours
- Taxi service: www.naturparktaxi.at
- Start and finish: Niederalpl, Neuberg an der Mürz, parking available at Niederalpl
- Route summary: Similar to the Hochschwab stage, an alpine mountain hike with stunning panoramas, but also steeper sections (e.g., Gingatzwiese – Hohe Veitsch)
- Abortion options: At Hoher Veitsch / Graf Meran Haus, direct descent to Brunnalm possible
- Sightseeing along the stage: Sieberwarte
(7) In the Heart of the Naturpark Mürzer Oberland Neuberg an der Mürz - Schneealm – Almsennerei Lurgbauerhütte
- Hiking time: 5 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,365m, Descent 340m
- Distance: 15 kilometers
- Difficulty: Relatively short tour, but rich in ascent meters and similar to the stages over Veitsch and Hochschwab
- Public transport: Bus connection to Neuberg an der Mürz from Mürzzuschlag every 2 hours
- Taxi service: www.naturparktaxi.at
- Start and finish: Neuberg an der Mürz, Almsennerei Lurgbauerhütte, parking available in Neuberg an der Mürz
- Route summary: Beautiful alpine hike over the largest contiguous alpine area in the northern Karst Alps (Schneealm) with numerous mountain huts, although a steep first section (Karlgraben)
- Abortion options: In the area of Almboden on Schneealm, forest road towards Kohlebnerstand and downwards to the valley
- Sightseeing along the stage: Neuberger Münster with Stift, Kaiserhof Glass Manufacturing, Nature Museum (reopening in early 2025), Kalvarienberg, Freizeitsee Urani
(8) The Styrian Side of the Wiener Hausberge Almsennerei Lurgbauerhütte - Naßkamm - Rax / Heukuppe – Waxriegelhaus
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 800m, Descent 1,205m
- Distance: 11 kilometers
- Difficulty: The most technically demanding stage of the entire BergZeitReise with secured sections (Gamsecksteig, Zahmes Gamseck) and crossing the highest point in Naturpark Mürzer Oberland (Raxhochfläche, Heukuppe), but relatively short
- Public transport: Not possible, no access by private car
- Start and finish: Almsennerei Lurgbauerhütte, Waxriegelhaus
- Route summary: Similar to Hochschwab, Veitsch, and Schneealm, a stunning mountain tour over an extensive high plateau (Rax / Heukuppe) with all its advantages and disadvantages (difficult orientation on the plateau in foggy or poor weather, exit during thunderstorms!)
- Note: The secured section over Gamsecksteig (Zahmes Gamseck) can be bypassed from Naßkamm via the “Schutzsteig,” Almgasthof Moassa, and the Altenbergersteig. This requires about 2 extra hours of hiking, but avoids the above-mentioned secured passage and leads directly to the Raxhochfläche
- Abortion options: In the Naßkamm area, direct descent to the valley (Altenberg an der Rax) possible
- Sightseeing along the stage: Raxkircherl near the Karl-Ludwig-Haus
(9) From the Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage Waxriegelhaus - Hohe Scheibe – Mürzzuschlag
- Hiking time: 5 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 650m, Descent 1,300m
- Distance: 16 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Preiner Gscheid, about 45 minutes south of Waxriegelhaus via Payerbach – Reichenau, reachable by bus; Mürzzuschlag by bus and train (express train station)
- Taxi service: www.naturparktaxi.at, www.muerz-taxi-schwarz.at, www.schneeweissbus.at
- Start and finish: Waxriegelhaus, Mürzzuschlag, no access to Waxriegelhaus by car
- Route summary: A rather easy forest and meadow hike with beautiful viewpoints (Hohe Scheibe) and a cozy mountain hut (Scheibenhütte, only open on weekends) just below the summit of Hohe Scheibe
- Abortion options: Preiner Gscheid
- Sightseeing along the stage: Info boards on the alpine railway hiking trail about the region's history
(10) On the Railway Hiking Trail to the First Ski Summit of the Alps Mürzzuschlag - Spital - Stuhleck / Güntherhaus - Pretul / Rosegger Schutzhaus
- Hiking time: 7 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,295m, Descent 410m
- Distance: 22 kilometers
- Difficulty: Between Stuhleck and Pretul, hiking along a treeless ridge, orientation not easy in foggy or poor weather, exit necessary during thunderstorms
- Public transport: Express train station Mürzzuschlag, also suitable as the start point for the entire BergZeitReise
- Taxi service: www.muerz-taxi-schwarz.at, www.schneeweissbus.at
- Start and finish: Mürzzuschlag, Pretul / Rosegger Schutzhaus, parking available in Mürzzuschlag (some with fees)
- Route summary: First, a valley hike to Spital am Semmering, followed by a slightly longer, but not too steep ascent over Hocheck, then a beautiful panoramic hike over the scenic ridge between Stuhleck and Pretul
- Abortion options: Several options between Stuhleck and Pretul (e.g., Stuhleck lift area, Schwarzriegelalm, Moschkogel) to descend into the Mürztal
- Sightseeing along the stage: Bahnwanderweg, Spitaler Pfarrkirche (one of the oldest along the entire BergZeitReise), Südbahnmuseum, FIS-Wintersportmuseum, Brahmsmuseum, Kunsthaus Mürz, Ruine der Nansenhütte on Stuhleck, Schwarzriegelmoos (moor landscape)
(11) In the Waldheimat (Forest Homeland) of Peter Rosegger Pretul / Rosegger Schutzhaus - Hauereck - Alpl - Teufelstein - Stanglalm / Wittmaierhütte
- Hiking time: 7 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 720m, Descent 840m
- Distance: 25 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Not possible
- Start and finish: Pretul / Rosegger Schutzhaus, Stanglalm / Wittmaierhütte, access to Rosegger Schutzhaus via Ratten is possible, though very complicated
- Route summary: A slightly longer but not too strenuous stage with long, forest-rich sections (Hauereck) and a rustic, beautifully located mountain hut at the end (reservation required!)
- Abortion options: Descent from Hauereck to Ratten and then also at Alpl, just before Peter Rosegger’s birthplace
- Sightseeing along the stage: Windpark, Peter Bergner Memorial for the hut keeper Peter Bergner murdered in 1904 at Pretul, Waldschule at Alpl, Peter Rosegger's birthplace at Kluppeneggerhof, mystical Teufelstein
(12) Journey into the Mürztal Stanglalm / Wittmaierhütte - Kindberg - Almgasthof Pölzl (Schwammerlwirt)
- Hiking time: 4 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 540m, Descent 925m
- Distance: 15 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Kindberg valley town is accessible by train (station) and bus, Stanglalm and Almgasthof Pölzl are not accessible
- Taxi service: www.sigis-taxi.at
- Start and finish: Stanglalm / Wittmaierhütte, Almgasthof Pölzl
- Route summary: A longer hike over forest paths and forest roads (Windpark) downhill to Kindberg, then upwards via the “Herzerlfresserweg” to Almgasthof Pölzl (reservation required for overnight stay!), access to Almgasthof Pölzl by car is possible from Kindberg
- Abortion options: Kindberg
- Sightseeing along the stage: Windpark, Kalvarienberg, Zunftbaum, Kindberger town center, Georgibergkirche, Schloss Oberkindberg, Herzerlfressermarterl
(13) Gentle Hiking in the Mürztaler Mountains Almgasthof Pölzl - Schwabenberg – Turnau
- Hiking time: 3 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 235m, Descent 565m
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Bus connection from Kapfenberg to Turnau, Almgasthof Pölzl is not accessible by public transport
- Taxi service: www.taxi-steiner.at
- Start and finish: Almgasthof Pölzl, Turnau, parking available at Almgasthof Pölzl
- Route summary: A short and surprisingly varied hike through extensive forests and over scenic alpine meadows (e.g., Töllamoaralm) high above the Mürztal with beautiful views of the Fischbacher Alps and Hochschwab
- Abortion options: None
- Sightseeing along the stage: Panoramaplatz at the reservoir of the Schwabenbergarena ski area
(14) Gourmet Cuisine and Hiking Classic Turnau - Pogusch - Bründlweg – Kapfenberg
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,030m, Descent 1,290m
- Distance: 22 kilometers
- Difficulty: Long, but scenic and easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Bus connection from Kapfenberg to Turnau, Kapfenberg itself is an express train station
- Taxi service: www.taxizentrale-kapfenberg.at, www.taxi55500.at
- Start and finish: Turnau, Kapfenberg, parking available in Turnau
- Route summary: A long but entertaining hike, combining parts of the well-known Bründlweg at Pogusch and the scenic Zöberer Höhe, a fun hike between the Hochschwab region and the high-tech region of Kapfenberg
- Abortion options: Pogusch and Parschlug (bus stops)
- Sightseeing along the stage: Jakobuskirche in Turnau, Ägydi-Stollen (former brown coal mining tunnel) with chapel, stations of the Bründlweg
(15) Experience the Styrian High-Tech Region in a Different Way Kapfenberg - Rennfeld – Bruck an der Mur
- Hiking time: 6 ½ hours
- Elevation difference: Ascent 1,120m, Descent 1,135m
- Distance: 18 kilometers
- Difficulty: Rich in elevation gain but easy forest and meadow hike
- Public transport: Express train stations and bus stations in Kapfenberg and Bruck an der Mur
- Taxi service: www.taxizentrale-kapfenberg.at, www.taxi55500.at, www.infos-online.at/taxi-bruck-mur
- Start and finish: Kapfenberg, Bruck an der Mur, parking available in Kapfenberg
- Route summary: A beautiful mountain hike, first to the pilgrimage site Frauenberg, and then over one of the most scenic peaks in Styria between the third and fourth largest cities of the Grüne Mark
- Abortion options: Frauenberg (bus stop)
- Sightseeing along the stage: Pilgrimage Church Maria Rehkogel / Frauenberg, Burg Oberkapfenberg with Loretokapelle, Kapfenberger Old Town with City Museum