Ameringkogel

2,187 m

Austria

Elevation: 2,187 m
Prominence: 1,232 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Oct
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: mittelschwer (moderate) (wandernsteiermark.at)

The standard route to the highest summit of the Styrian Prealps: from the Salzstiegelhaus on the Hirschegger Sattel (about 1,550 m) past the Rosseben reservoir to the Speikkogel (1,993 m), then along a broad, fenced alpine ridge over the Hofalmkogel and the Weißenstein. About 14 km and 830 m with counter-climbs; 3 hours up, 2 hours back.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 7.0 km; one way
Ascent: +721 m; −83 m lost on the way up
High Point: 2,187 m
Time Up: 3h 26m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 36m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at the large car park by the Salzstiegelhaus on the Hirschegger Sattel (about 1,543–1,553 m), on the road between the Aichfeld and the Pack region. Walk briefly south on a forest road, then take the marked path right through woods to a clearing and along a broad meadow strip (a ski slope in winter) to the Rosseben reservoir (1,710 m) with its lift station and two wind turbines, 20–25 minutes from the start. Pass the lake on its west side; the path then climbs more steeply up pole-marked slopes to the Speikkogel (1,993 m, east top with cross nearby), about 1¼–1½ hours from the start. Follow the broad ridge west beside a fence, dropping about 60 m to a junction (left to the Weißensteinhütte and Obdach), over an unnamed hump to the Hofalmkogel (2,040 m), down to a saddle at about 2,003 m and steeply up to the Weißenstein (2,160 m), where the direct path from the Weißensteinhütte joins. Turn north for a gentle final rise past small rocks to the Ameringkogel; the summit cross stands a little below the high point, facing the Aichfeld. Allow 2¾–3¼ hours up. Return the same way in 1¾–2 hours, with just over 100 m of re-ascent. The route is technically easy, but the ridge is exposed to wind and weather and has no shelter or water; signposted times are reported to be partly misleading. A shorter ascent starts from the Weißensteinhütte (1,702 m) above Obdach via the Weißenstein (about 2 hours return), when the road to the hut is open from 1 June to 15 September.

Start

Salzstiegelhaus1,544 m

No regular public transport to the Hirschegger Sattel or the Weißensteinhütte.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Salzstiegelhaus → Ameringkogel	7.0	721	83	3h 26m

Waypoints

Parking:
Salzstiegelhaus1,544 m
Feature:
Speikkogel1,992 m
Feature:
Hofalmkogel2,035 m
Feature:
Weißenstein2,157 m
Summit:
Ameringkogel2,187 m

Key Passages

Steeper climb to the Speikkogel
Undulating fenced ridge over the Hofalmkogel
Steep climb to the Weißenstein

Equipment

0/5 packed

Safety

Snowshoes and avalanche kitwinterRecommended

Footwear

Hiking bootsRequired

Clothing

Windproof and waterproof layersexposed ridgeRequired

Navigation

Map or GPSbroad ridge; parts without a clear pathRecommended

Other

Water and foodno huts or water on the routeRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

The highest summit of the Styrian Prealps (2,187 m), a broad grassy dome at the western end of the Stubalpe above Obdach. A long, technically easy ridge walk from the Salzstiegelhaus over the Speikkogel, with views from the Niedere Tauern to the Koralpe.

The Ameringkogel crowns the Amering group, where the Stubalpe and Packalpe meet, and is the high point of the whole Steirisches Randgebirge, the chain of rounded crystalline uplands that runs from the Koralpe to the Wechsel around the Graz basin. With more than 1,200 m of prominence it stands well above its neighbours, and its open summit looks over the Aichfeld to the Niedere Tauern, west to the Zirbitzkogel and south to the Pack- and Koralpe.

The usual route is a long ridge walk rather than a climb: from the Salzstiegelhaus on the Hirschegger Sattel over the Speikkogel, the Hofalmkogel and the Weißenstein on broad alpine pastures, with several ups and downs. The terrain is easy, but the round trip is 14 km, and the ridge has no shelter, water or huts.

In summer cattle graze the high pastures; in winter the ridge becomes a demanding snowshoe or ski tour. The Größenberg (2,152 m) to the north is a short extension.

Climbing Notes

A family-friendly but long day walk: about 830–850 m of ascent including counter-climbs and 5 hours for the out-and-back from the Salzstiegelhaus. Steeper sections are short (Speikkogel, Weißenstein). Carry enough water and food, as the Salzstiegelhaus at the start is the only place for refreshments. The ridge is fully exposed to wind and thunderstorms; turn back early if storms build. Navigation is simple in clear weather but care is needed in fog on the broad ridge. For a shorter outing, drive to the Weißensteinhütte above Obdach (road open 1 June to 15 September) and climb via the Weißenstein in about 2 hours return.

Season

Best Jun–Oct

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Best (best window)
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: Demanding snowshoe or ski tour; check avalanche bulletin
Feb: Snowshoe or ski tour
Mar: Spring ski touring
Apr: Snowmelt; wet ground
May: Snow patches on the ridge
Jun: Weißensteinhütte road opens 1 June
Jul: Cattle on the pastures; thunderstorms
Aug: Thunderstorms possible
Sep: Clear views; Weißensteinhütte road closes 15 September
Oct: Autumn tip: quiet, cattle back in the valley
Nov: Early snow; short days
Dec: Winter tour once snow is sufficient

Access & Permits

Rules

The road to the Weißensteinhütte is open to cars only from 1 June to 15 September; otherwise it ends at barriers well below the hut
Grazing cattle on the ridge in summer

Getting There

Obdach; Weißkirchen in Steiermark; Hirschegg

Graz Airport (GRZ)

From the A2: exit Modriach, past the Packer Stausee to Hirschegg, straight on into the valley past GH Moasterhaus and up a gravel road to the Hirschegger Sattel (about 23 km)
From the S36: exit Zeltweg West, B78/B77 to Großfeistritz and Kleinfeistritz, then about 10 km on a narrow road through the Kothgraben to the saddle
Obdach side: road to the Weißensteinhütte (1,702 m), open 1 June – 15 September
No regular public transport to either trailhead

Hazards

Weather