Snowshoe tour Hohe Ranach

Open

Leisurely hike at almost 2000 m above sea level in the Seetaler Alps in the Murtal adventure region.

An easy and safe snowtour can be found here in the northern area of the Seetal Alps in the Murtal adventure region, as a groomed trail leads over about 400 meters in altitude to the summit of the Hohe Ranach at 1981 m above sea level. Numerous winter hikers, ski tourers and snowshoe hikers like to take advantage of the trail, which is maintained by the federal army. Due to the exposed location of the extensive summit area, one has a wonderful view of the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin and the surrounding mountain regions. However, before setting out on snowshoes, it is important to know that you are walking here in the immediate vicinity of a restricted military area and that the hiking trail to the Hohe Ranach is closed during live-fire exercises. On the homepage of the Austrian Armed Forces you can see the closed times. In addition, there is an INFOPOINT board at the starting point with a digital display that informs about the current closed times of the hiking trails. If you would like to extend the hike a bit, you still have the option of heading west to the Erslstand (2124 m) and enjoying the view of the extensive cirque (Fleischhackerboden - restricted military area).

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Experience

Scenery

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

easy

Level of difficulty

6,8 km

Route

3:00 h

Time

430 hm

Uphill

430 hm

Downhill

1981 m

Highest point

1550 m

Lowest point

Map & downloads

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More information

From Judenburg via Oberweg and Ossach, the Seetalstraße leads directly to the grounds of the military training area Schmelz and thus to the large parking lot opposite the soldier's church. (16 km, approx. 25 minutes).

From Wolfsberg via the B78 to Obdach and then via St. Wolfgang to the starting point (50 km, approx. 50 minutes).

By car to snowshoe hiking - a few things to watch out for!

Good winter tires are an absolute MUST!
Ice scraper, snow broom, de-icer for the door locks and a small shovel belong to the basic equipment.
Put snow chains and a tow rope in the car, even if you are not good with them yourself. Helping and knowledgeable hikers are always available on the mountain!
Clear the car completely of snow and ice, especially sweep off the roof of the car completely.
When parking, make sure you leave room for other motorists.
Always park so that the rest of the roadway remains clear for cars, logging trucks, and snow removal vehicles.
Find out about the snow situation on the access road or parking facilities before setting off. (hut host, webcams)

Large parking lot (1), 1550 m, opposite the soldier's church on the enamelAt the large parking lot (1), 1550 m, there is an information board of the Austrian Armed Forces, which gives information about the closed times of the hiking trails. From here we start our hike and go right through at the gate (see yellow information boards of the federal army). Mostly there are tracks, which we follow slightly uphill on the left across an open meadow area until we reach a forest road. When the snow conditions are good, cross-country ski trails are also prepared here. In succession we hike straight ahead through the forest and at the next crossing we make a right-left combination and are now on the main path towards Hohe Ranach. Forest and meadow areas alternate and the path climbs comfortably over long serpentines. After about 2 km and 190 meters of altitude, we reach the Mühlbacher Sattel (2), 1788 m. From now on the forest becomes thinner and gradually we reach the tree line. Just after the Mühlbacher Sattel, when it goes uphill again, we keep to the left and hike along this prepared trail. If you want it to be shorter, you can also take the direct line uphill, although we find the small detour to the summit very nice. On the one hand, we have a better view and on the other hand, we escape, at least partially, the downhill route of the ski tourers. Shortly before we reach our destination, we turn left uphill for the last few meters and then we can already see the summit cross of the Hohe Ranach (3), 1981 m, in front of us. For the descent we follow our ascent route.

There are numerous snowshoe hikes on the eastern side of the Seetaler Alps, including Tour 13 "Hüttenwanderung Seetaler Alpen" in the Snowshoe Guide Styria.

There is no public transport connection to the starting point of the tour itself.

General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Large parking lot across from the Soldier's Church.

Schmelzhütte, Tel.: +43 3578 8240 or +43 681 20 488 137, 8750 Judenburg, Ossach 37. Schmelzhütte on Facebook, Schmelzhütte tourism info.

Winterleitenhütte / Nature Friends House at 1800 m above sea level, Tel. +43 3578 8210, Winterleitenhütte. Sled rental

Homepage Tülpl Seetaler Alpe of the federal army: Closing times of the hiking trails