Snowshoe tour from the Waldheimhütte to the Zirbitzkogel

The Seetaler Alps in the adventure region Murtal are, with the Zirbitzkogel (2396 m) as the highest peak and the Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus (officially Helmut-Erd-Schutzhaus), (2376 m) just below, a popular summer and winter hiking destination.  Starting from the Waldheimhütte, the groomed trail is a great way to get to the Zirbitzkogel on snowshoes. The path is clear and indicated by snow poles, so you can expect a sporty but basically technically easy hike. The 360° view from the summit is fabulous, and with the orientation plate near the summit cross, the peaks in the distance are easy to determine. By the way, the name Zirbitz is derived from the Slovenian word "crvenica", which means "red area" and is due to the common alpine rose in the region. The Swiss stone pine (bot. Pinus cembra), also called the "Queen of the Alps", in turn gave the region its name, "Zirbenland". Name or not, to put it in a nutshell: Zirbe, Zirbitz, Zirbenland - a wonderful area that promises a lot and keeps it.

From the Waldheimhütte (1), 1614 m, we follow the path with the number 320 in the direction of the Zirbitzkogel, which is clearly recognizable by yellow signposts (in the immediate vicinity of the parking lot). At the edge of the ski slope we go slightly uphill, passing the head station of the drag lift on the left and then along the wide path through the stone pine forest. Above the tree line we come to a crossing point (2), 1900 m, which leads to the right to the Rothaidenhütte, which is unmanned in winter, and further on to the Alpengasthof Sabathy. During the ascent you can see the Rothaidenhütte well. The further course of the path is clear through the Radrakspur with the snow poles. Soon we recognize our goal, the Zirbitzkogel with the Schutzhaus, in the distance. The slope becomes less and less and before it becomes almost flat, we still see the crossing point Rothaidenweg (3), 2140 m, which is recognizable by a yellow hiking sign and would be an alternative for the descent. Furthermore, the prepared track leads us past the waypoint Kote (4), 2181 m, and then we are only facing about 200 meters of altitude difference. After seven turns and a pleasantly laid out trail, we reach the Helmut-Erd-Schutzhaus or Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus (5), 2376 m, as it is also called. The summit cross and orientation board of the Zirbitzkogel (6), 2396 m, is only a few minutes away. The descent takes us to the waypoint Kote (4), 2181 m, along the ascent route. Here we have the possibility to hike back over snow-filled gullies. It is important to consider these descent options only in fair weather. As soon as we reach our ascent track again, we follow it back to the Waldheimhütte (1).