Zirbitzkogel

2,396 m

Austria

Elevation: 2,396 m
Prominence: 1,502 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT2HikeNormal route

The easiest and most popular route: from the car park below the Winterleitenhütte (1,775 m) past the two Winterleiten lakes and through stone-pine forest, steeply up to a notch at about 2,200 m, along the ridge below Scharfes Eck to the summit at 2,396 m and the Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus just below it. About 600–650 m of ascent, 2 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 6.2 km; one way
Ascent: +676 m; −63 m lost on the way up
High Point: 2,396 m
Time Up: 3h 09m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 20m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Park at the free car park just below the Winterleitenhütte (about 1,775 m), reached by a gravel road across the Schmelz military training area from Judenburg/Oberweg or from St. Wolfgang near Obdach. Walk past the hut at the Kleiner Winterleitensee and along the south shore to the Großer Winterleitensee, crossing the stream before the larger lake. The marked path continues through stone-pine forest to the next cirque floor (ignore the turn-off for the Lukas-Max via ferrata). The path then climbs steeply to a notch at about 2,200 m between the Schlaferkogel and Scharfes Eck, turns right along the crest for about 100 m of ascent, and contours below Scharfes Eck (2,364 m) into a broad saddle at about 2,300 m. The summit is a few minutes beyond, with the Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus (2,376 m), Styria's highest hut, just below it. Allow about 2 hours. Descend the same way, or make a loop back over Scharfes Eck and the Kreiskogel (2,306 m) along the edge of the military training area (4–4½ hours in total, 11 km, about 800 m of ascent); the Kreiskogel descent is slippery when wet. The summit can also be reached in about 2 hours from the Sabathyhütte, Waldheimhütte or Tonnerhütte on the east and south sides.

Start

Winterleitenhütte1,783 m

RegioBus 873 from Judenburg to the Schmelz stop, then trail 308 to the Winterleitenhütte (about 30 minutes; 3–3½ hours from the Schmelz to the summit). Nearest railway station Judenburg.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Winterleitenhütte → Zirbitzkogel	6.2	676	63	3h 09m

Waypoints

Parking:
Winterleitenhütte1,783 m
Free car park just below the Naturfreunde hut
Feature:
Großer Winterleitensee1,841 m
Shoulder:
Scharfes Eck2,359 m
Path contours below the top
Hut:
Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus2,371 m
Summit:
Zirbitzkogel2,396 m

Key Passages

Winterleiten lakes and stone-pine forest
Steep climb to the notch between Schlaferkogel and Scharfes Eck
Ridge below Scharfes Eck to the summit saddle

Equipment

0/3 packed

Footwear

Hiking bootsRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersopen, wind-exposed ridgeRequired

Navigation

Map or GPS trackbroad ridges are confusing in fog; stay out of signed military zonesRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

Download GPX Download KML

Overview

The highest peak of the Seetal Alps (2,396 m), a broad, grassy summit above Judenburg with Styria's highest hut just below the top and 1,502 m of prominence. A two-hour walk from the Winterleitenhütte past two mountain lakes.

The Zirbitzkogel rises on the border of Styria and Carinthia at the southern edge of the Murtal, the culminating point of the Seetal Alps in the Lavanttal Alps. With 1,502 m of prominence it dominates the surrounding valleys and basins, and on clear days the view takes in much of the eastern Eastern Alps. Its slopes carry some of the most significant stone-pine (Zirbe) stands in Austria, though the name is thought to come from a Slavic word for 'red' rather than from the pines.

It is a rounded mountain of grass, rock and dwarf shrubs, with small cirque lakes on the north side. The Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus of the Österreichischer Touristenklub, built in 1870 and Styria's highest hut, stands 20 m below the summit and is open all year, with food in summer, holidays and most weekends.

A large part of the Seetal Alps is an Austrian Army training area (Truppenübungsplatz Seetaler Alpe), in use for live firing on many days of the year. Marked paths to the Zirbitzkogel remain open, but some paths in the area close during exercises, and warning signs must be obeyed.

Climbing Notes

An easy mountain walk for anyone with basic fitness: about 600 m of ascent from the Winterleitenhütte, 2 hours up. The path is steep in places and stony near the ridge; the loop over the Kreiskogel needs care when wet. The ridges are open and windy, so take warm layers, and avoid them in thunderstorms.

Staying at the Schutzhaus (20 dormitory places, cash only, book ahead at weekends) gives sunrise over the Styrian and Carinthian hills. In winter the mountain is a popular ski-touring and snowshoe objective. Check the Austrian Army closure schedule for paths in the training area and expect firing noise on weekdays.

History

The Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus was built in 1870 and is the oldest hut of the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK). The Schmelz at the foot of the Winterleiten valley has the remains of a historic blast-furnace complex. The mountain appears in Reinhard P. Gruber's novel about the character Hödlmoser.

Season

Best Jun–Sep

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

Jan: Ski touring and snowshoeing; hut open on most weekends
Feb: Ski touring and snowshoeing
Mar: Ski touring; avalanche risk on steeper slopes
Apr: Spring snow
May: Snow patches on the ridge
Jun: Usually snow-free
Jul: Afternoon thunderstorms
Sep: Often stable weather
Oct: First snow possible; check military closures
Nov: Early winter
Dec: Ski touring and snowshoeing

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus (ÖTK): 20 dormitory places; reservation strongly advised at weekends and in holidays (phone +43 3578 8205, zirbitzkogelhuette@oetk.at); cash only.

Rules

Truppenübungsplatz Seetaler Alpe (Austrian Army training area): some hiking paths (e.g. to the Hohe Ranach and Hohe Ranach – Kreiskogel) are closed during firing exercises; check the Bundesheer closure schedule (bmlv.gv.at) or phone 0664 622 3401 / 3410 / 3411, and obey warning signs
The access road to the Winterleitenhütte crosses the Schmelz military area

Getting There

Judenburg; Obdach

Graz Airport (GRZ)

Car from Judenburg via Oberweg across the Schmelz training area to the free car park below the Winterleitenhütte; or from Obdach via St. Wolfgang on a steep gravel road
RegioBus 873 from Judenburg to the Schmelz, then trail 308 to the Winterleitenhütte (30 minutes)
East side: car to the Sabathyhütte, Waldheimhütte or Tonnerhütte (about 2 hours to the summit from each)

Hazards

Weather

Huts & Shelters

Zirbitzkogel-SchutzhausHutStaffed
20 beds · Open all year; meals in summer, holidays and most weekends; unheated winter room always open
Website of Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus
2,376 m