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Erzwanderweg

Name: Erzwanderweg
Brand: Steiermark
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 6,5 km

Time 2:30 h

Uphill 30 hm

Downhill 400 hm

Highest point 1229 m

The snowshoe trail begins with the bus ride from the main square in Vordernberg to the Präbichl Passhöhe. From the bus stop near the mountain rescue follow the marking "Erzwanderweg".

The processing of ore at the Styrian Erzberg is inseparably linked to the economic history of Styria. While in the early Middle Ages iron production still functioned in manageable quantities around the Erzberg, the situation changed in the second half of the 13th century with the use of water power. With it, production could be increased significantly. The big challenge now was the transport from the mountain via Präbichl to the wheel works in Vordernberg, where the ore was smelted into pig iron. In 1844, Archduke Johann commissioned his brother-in-law, Johann Dulnig, to build an ore conveyor railroad. The Dulnig ore railroad was unique in the world. It consisted of a continuous rail system with 5 horizontal tracks and 2 inclined elevators ("Bremsberge"), as well as ore magazines, stockpiles and a roasting plant.

Best season

January

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More information

From St. Michael in Upper Styria on the B115 via Traboch and Trofaiach to the train station in Vordernberg (20 km, approx. 20 minutes).

From Eisenerz on the B115 via Präbichel to the train station in Vordernberg (15 km, approx. 20 minutes).

By car to snowshoeing - a few things to watch out for!

Good winter tires are an absolute MUST!
Ice scraper, snow broom, de-icer for the door locks and a small shovel belong to the basic equipment.
Put snow chains and a tow rope in the car, even if you are not good with them yourself. Helping and knowledgeable hikers are always available on the mountain!
Clear the car completely of snow and ice, especially sweep off the roof of the car completely.
When parking, make sure you leave room for other motorists.
Always park so that the rest of the roadway remains clear for cars, logging trucks, and snow removal vehicles.
Find out about the snow situation on the access road or parking facilities before setting off. (hut host, webcams)

The snowshoe tour starts with the bus ride from the main square in Vordernberg to the bus stop Präbichl Passhöhe (bus runs every hour). From the bus stop near the mountain rescue building we start. We follow the marking "Erzwanderweg". A narrow trail leads up to the running road and along it in the direction of Handlalm. At the end of the road we go under the ski slope to the Handlalm brake house. Here it goes down a bit steeper to the next flat railroad track. The entire trail is well marked and very varied. Ideal for families with children. After about 2 ½ hours of walking we reach the station of Vordernberg, where it goes back down to the starting point at the main square.

The Erzwanderweg is also an interesting hiking trail in summer, following in the footsteps of Erzherzog Johann.

Vordernberg (main square) can be reached by bus in about 20 minutes from both Trofaiach and Eisenerz.

General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Parking at the station (of the museum railroad)

Directions to the parking lot

You can find more info about the Erzwanderweg on Erzwanderweg | steiermark.com

Freytag & Berndt (2017): Hochschwab - Veitschalpe - Eisenerz - Bruck an der Mur. WK 041 Wander-, Rad-, Freizeitkarte; 1:50000

ERZBERG LAND Freizeitkarte (available at the office of the tourism association ERZBERG Leoben)

Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2. Auflage 2018): Schneeschuhführer Steiermark – Vom Dachstein bis zum Steirischen Weinland. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, München, S. 176.

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Schneeschuhgehen – Praxiswissen vom Profi zu Ausrüstung, Technik und Sicherheit. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, München, S.192