The best mountain hikes around Mautern in Steiermark

Mautern in Steiermark offers a wide selection of mountaineering routes, with over 30 distinct tours available. These routes cater to various skill levels, ranging from moderate ascents to challenging high-alpine expeditions.

While many routes are challenging, there are moderate options available. For instance, the Bremstein – Untere Bodenhütte loop from Kugelstein is a moderate 9.4 km tour that takes around 3 hours 30 minutes, offering a less strenuous introduction to the region's alpine beauty.

The region is rich with prominent peaks and natural features. You can explore the Eisenerzer Reichenstein summit, the Hochreichart Summit, or the Wildfeld Summit. The Hochschwab Group is also known for its dramatic rock faces and expansive views, with Hochschwab (2277 m) being its highest point.

Yes, many routes are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. A challenging example is the Ingeringsee – Geierhaupt (2,418 meters) loop from Ingeringsee, which is a 11.7 km difficult trail offering expansive views from the Geierhaupt peak.

The warmer months are generally ideal for mountaineering in the Hochschwab mountains and surrounding areas. During this time, the trails are more accessible, and you can fully appreciate the vast plateaus and panoramic views. Winter mountaineering is also possible, with spots like Grabnerspitze noted for fresh powder snow, but it requires specialized gear and experience.

Absolutely! For families, 'Der Wilde Berg' Alpine Wildlife Park is a popular attraction. It offers an immersive experience with alpine wildlife, animal safaris, and a children's play park. Access is convenient via a forest hiking trail, chairlift, or park bus, making it a great complement to a mountaineering trip.

The terrain around Mautern in Steiermark is highly diverse. You'll encounter serene alpine pastures, majestic panoramic peaks, and dramatic rock faces, particularly within the Eisenerz Alps, Seckauer Tauern, and Hochschwab Group. Some routes, like those involving the 'G'hackte' section on Hochschwab, include via ferrata elements requiring sure-footedness.

Yes, the region features several beautiful lakes. The View of Ingeringsee – Hochreichart Summit loop from P4 offers stunning vistas of Ingeringsee. Other notable lakes in the vicinity include Ingering Lake, Trabocher See, and Krumpensee.

The mountaineering routes in Mautern in Steiermark are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 30 reviews. Mountaineers often praise the varied terrain, the challenging ascents, and the rewarding panoramic views from the summits.

Yes, for those seeking longer and more challenging expeditions, the region offers routes that traverse multiple peaks. For example, the Untere Bodenhütte – Seckauer Zinken Summit loop from Kugelstein is a 14.7 km trail through the Seckauer Tauern, often taking over 6 hours to complete, providing an extensive high-alpine experience.

While many high peaks are accessible, the Hochschwab (2277 m) is a prominent feature of the Hochschwab Group, offering challenging ascents and expansive 360-degree views. The Hochreichart (2416 m) is also reachable via a technically straightforward mountain hike from Liesingau, culminating in breathtaking panoramic views of the Tauern peaks.

The Reiting Massif, also known as Reitingstock, is particularly celebrated for its abundant flora, featuring over 70 orchid species. Marked trails accessible from Mautern and Kammern lead through this area, offering a chance to appreciate its natural beauty alongside the mountaineering challenge.

Many routes in the region transition from forested areas to open alpine terrain. The Zeiritzkampel – Schobesberg cross loop from Kurzteichen is a challenging 12.4 km route that takes you through varied landscapes, likely offering a mix of forest paths and high-alpine vistas as you ascend towards the peaks.