Schmelzhütte - Hohe Ranach
OpenPopular family tour with great views in the Murtal adventure region in Styria, both in summer and winter.
A popular trail with great views in the Murtal adventure region in Styria, maintained by the Austrian Armed Forces. Due to the exposed location of the extensive summit area, you have a wonderful view of the Judenburg-Knittelfeld basin and the surrounding mountain regions. Here you are hiking in the immediate vicinity of a restricted military area and the hiking trail to the Hohe Ranach is closed during live-fire exercises. You can see the closed times on the homepage of the Austrian Armed Forces. In addition, there is an INFOPOINT board opposite the Soldatenkirche (Soldiers' Church) with a digital display informing about the current closed times of the hiking trails. If you would like to extend the hike a bit, you have the option of heading west to the Erslstand (2124 m) and enjoying the view of the extensive cirque (Fleischhackerboden - restricted military area).
Characteristics
Best season
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
The tour in numbers
medium
Level of difficulty
7,8 km
Route
2:30 h
Time
440 hm
Uphill
440 hm
Downhill
1970 m
Highest point
1536 m
Lowest point
Map & downloads
More information
From Judenburg via Oberweg and Ossach, the Seetalstraße leads directly to the grounds of the Schmelz military training area and thus to the large car park opposite the Soldiers' 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).
On the left side in front of the summit cross is a small closed Bundesheerhütte (army hut) with a bench for resting. As it can be very windy on the Hohe Ranach, you have the opportunity to eat your snack there, sheltered from the wind.
Take the ÖBB to Judenburg. There is a public transport connection to the starting point of the tour itself from May to All Saints' Day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Bus number 873 from Judenburg railway station.
General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at
General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at
Schmelz car park opposite the Soldiers' Church
More information at www.murtal.at/wandern