Kreiskogel & Zirbitzkogel

Logo Kreiskogel & Zirbitzkogel
Logo Kreiskogel & Zirbitzkogel
Tour data
10.92km
1,778 - 2,359m
Distance
739hm
731hm
Ascent
04:30h
 
Duration
Brief description

From Winterleitenhütte (1782m) take trail 315a to Kreiskogel (2306m), from there continue on trail 312 to Scharfen Eck (2364m) and Zirbitzkogel (2396m). Return via 08/315.

Difficulty
difficult
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Starting point

Winterleitenhütte

Route
Winterleitenhütte
0.0 km
ÖDK-Hütte
0.2 km
Zirbitzkogel Schutzhaus
6.0 km
Winterleitenhütte
10.9 km


Description
Trail conditions: forest trail, meadow trail, marked trails, rubble / stones / rock.

From the Winterleiten hut you pass the two Winterleiten lakes and climb up to the Kreiskogel and so have reached the first summit. With a view of the Ochsenboden and the Ochsenlacken there, you continue along the mountain path passing Wetterstation and Scharfes Eck to the Zirbitzkogel, where after a short ascent to the summit cross you can fortify yourself extensively in the Schutzhaus. The descent is along the Schreibersteig back to the starting point.

Directions
The starting point of the tour is the Winterleitenhütte. Instead of climbing the Zirbitzkogel directly, you make a small side trip to the not much lower Kreiskogel at 2306m. From there you can enjoy a great panoramic hike over the ridge of the Seetal Alps to the actual destination. 

Important note: Partly you are in a restricted military area, which can be temporarily inaccessible. Information about restricted times can be obtained by calling +43 3578 8212. Current information about restricted times can be found online on the HomePage of the Austrian Armed Forces. Telephone information is available at +43 664 6223401, +43 664 6223410 or +43 664 6223411.

Passing the Kleiner Winterleitensee on the right, walk along marker 315 A and ascend in the direction of the Großer Winterleitensee. After a short, partly somewhat soggy forest section, the trail leads over a beautiful alpine pasture with bushes and berry bushes. Contrary to the direct route to the Zirbitzkogel, continue to stay to the right along the marked path. After about 1 1/2 hours of steady uphill with a view of the summit, you have reached the Kreiskogel (2,306m).

Continue along hiking trail 312 south along the ridge of the Seetaler Alps. From here, with good visibility, you can look down on the Ochsenboden and even spot shy groundhogs. Passing the weather station at Scharfen Eck (2,364m), you reach the Zirbitzkogel (2396m) after a small final climb. From the summit cross you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. There is also a metal plate where you can see exactly in which direction, for example, the Dachstein, Ameringkogel or Hochschwab are located.

 The way back is on the same path until the weather station. There, however, keep to the right along the marked trails 308/315 and descend via the Schreibersteig, which allows beautiful views down to the Lindersee. People who suffer from fear of heights might have their problems with the exposed Schreibersteig. Past Schlafer Kogel and Schloßerkogel with the mark 308 and then further 315 on the left, respectively, you return via the Winterleiten lakes to the Winterleiten hut.

Highest point
2,359 m
Endpoint

Winterleitenhütte

Height profile

Equipment

Dress appropriately for a hike:

Wear weather-appropriate, durable clothing. In any case, the clothing should protect you from possible rain and cold or sun and heat.
Even low mountain ranges often hold meteorological surprises. It is not uncommon, even in June, for a cold snap to occur at higher altitudes.
Sandals, bathing slippers, even sneakers are not the appropriate footwear for a hike.
Use hiking boots with ankle protection. Make sure they have a good tread and grip. After rain showers, it can be very slippery in the forest, even in summer, on roots, leaves and stones

Safety instructions

In order to really enjoy a hike in the Zirbenland and relax, please note the following points:

Plan your stages according to your condition and ability. Take your time. Organize your energy very well, take enough breaks.
There are very long sections. Not everywhere there are possibilities to stop for refreshments. For a long-distance hiker it goes without saying that he should have enough drinks (and snacks) with him.
Adapt your behavior to the respective conditions, both meteorological and ground conditions. Study the weather forecast daily.
Pay attention to yourself and other hikers.

Tips

Enjoy the view of the Ochsenlacke on the way from the Kreiskogel to the Zirbitzkogel! Perhaps you will also spot groundhogs on this trail.


Arrival
Option 1: Murtalschnellstraße (S36) to Judenburg - at the traffic circle "BP gas station" turn right in the direction of Oberweg - continue along the Seetalstraße in the direction of TÜPL Schmelz - from there continue to Winterleitenhütte.

Option 2: Drive by car from Obdach to St. Wolfgang. There, before the church, turn left and follow the road to the Winterleitenhütte.

The last section of the trail from the Schmelzhütte to the Winterleitenhütte is not as nice to drive as the section before and can alternatively easily be done on foot (approx. 40 minutes via the road/ approx. 30 minutes via the Sterngassl hiking trail).

Public transportation

This tour is NOT considered "accessible by train and bus" because there is no regular connection.

Parking

Near the Winterleitenhütte there are plenty of parking possibilities. Alternatively, you can also park at the Schmelzhütte. From there it is about 40 minutes on foot along the road, about 30 minutes along the hiking trail Sterngassl to the Winterleitenhütte. 


Author
The tour Kreiskogel & Zirbitzkogel is used by outdooractive.com provided.

3,5
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General info

Refreshment stop
A lot of view
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