Stage 02 From Glacier to Wine North Route Guttenberghaus - Stoderzinken

At first, you will follow the path back to the Feistererscharte, a central crossing point above the Guttenberghaus. Follow path no 618 past the northern side of the Sinabell leading through impressive, barren scenery. This seemingly endless stretch of grey rocks is only contrasted by the green of the natural pits and mountain pines. To the east, the Stoderzinken and Grimming summits cover the horizon; on the north side, you can see the endless mountain range of the Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains).

After about an hour's walk, the sight of the Höllgrabensee lake deep below provides a welcome change in this otherwise rather barren rocky landscape. In early July, the basin surrounding the lake is covered in alpine roses. The rest of the route to the Grafenbergalm is characterized by a charming landscape with rocky outcrops, mountain pines, flower meadows, gorges and small rock walls. Once you reach the Grafenbergalm, it immediately becomes clear why this place is so special. The alpine basin with its green meadows, the beautifully situated Grafenbergsee lake and groups of stone pines offers a setting that is second to none.

From the Grafenbergalm onwards, you will experience a change of scenery: forests with beautiful views onto the surrounding mountain ranges and kettles covered in a diversity of flowers. The path will constantly change direction, times following around a rock wall, then back through the woods. The path offers a varied experience until the end - just like the landscape of Styria.

Through a clear larch forest, the path gently winds up the Brandner Urwald (virgin forest) to the Brunnerhütte (no refreshments offered here). From there, you will walk another 20 min to the Steinerhaus (Tel. +43 3686 30960), a guesthouse with all the comfort and advantages, close to Stodezinken’s summit. The summit will offer beautiful views to the eastern Alps (Tourist Info Centre Tel. +43 3685 2213122). For a culinary delight, stop by the Rosemi Alm (Tel. +43 3686 30960) or the Stoderhütte (Tel. +43 3686 2646 – owned by the Steinerhaus), both close to one another.

Alternatively, you can spend the night on the idyllic Viehbergalm in the Rizingerhütte (Tel. +43 3685 22474 or +43 67 9459817), an intermediate stopover of Stage 3. The Rizingerhütte offers a fantastic location with culinary treats and, a beautiful dorm with 8 beds. This variant of stage 2 adds 17 km in length as we take a left from the Brünnerhütte to the Notgasse and the Viehbergalm. As a result, Stage 3 to Bad Mitterndorf will be shorter by 13 km.