Ameringkogel is the highest summit of the Pack Alps (Packalpe), mildly sloped montain range packed between the Lavanttal valley and the Western Styria
Normal
route to the summit starts from the Hirschegger saddle and follow the broad and gentle ridge due NW, heading
uphill along the marked trail towards the top of the first slope which is easy to spot because of massive wind turbine From here, trail fork right uphill to Speikkogel, 1993m,
then slightly descents a bit due west to a
minor saddle. From there, the trail
follows up the ridge of Hofalmkogel, 2040
m, slightly descending (about 35 m of elevation loss) to
another saddle before finally ascending the
south sholder of Ameringkogel, by name,
Weissenstein, 2160 m. What is left from there, is to follow
the ridge till the summit cross, which is preceeded by two small
shelters made of stone.
On the nice end,
this is an equally easy and panoramic tour, both for hiking
as for the cross country skiing in winter. On the less
appealing side of the coin, entire ridge is spiked with barbed wire - as the ridge itself is frontier between two
Austrian federal states, Styria and Carinthia. Wire itself
doesn't create any phisical obstacle, but on longer terms and in larger
quantities it tends to became rather annoying just watching
at it. Views alongside are fairly extensive, not so much for
the rest of the Pack Alps and adjacent StubAlpe group, but
evenmore for the clear view toward the Seetaler Alps
main ridge due west.
Up to few years ago,
Ameringkogel was said to be good spot to watch Formula One
races fort free. Austrian F1 was based at Zeltweg race track,
which is clearly seen from the ridge. However, venue was
purchased by Austrian tycoon and Red Bull company owner
Soon after, the reconstruction of the facility begun.
This, again, had to be stopped because of the enviromental
impact and following large public eco-campaign. Therefore,
there's no Formula 1 race in Austria these days.
Datasheet
route
Tour
length: 13km
Trailhead:
Salzstiegelhaus (1543m) on the Hirschegger saddle
Time
required: 2 1/2 hours ascent, 1 3/4 hours descend;
Elevation
gain: 650m
Elevation
loss: 650m
Aggregate
altitude difference: 870m
Difficulty:
easy hike
Gear:
hiking boots, rain protection. Tour skis and poles in winter.
Getting There
Getting to Hirschegg and Pack.
The Southern Motorway (A2),
is one of the largest infrastructures in Austria
(Klagenfurt - Graz - Vienna).
In snowy winters or in peak summer one may expect traffic jams and congestion.
Road map
Panoramic overview map
getting
there by car: From Vienna, Graz or Klagenfurt,
motorway A2 exit Modriach, follow the roadsigns for Hirschegg
and Salzstiegl. (Hirschegger saddle). Last portion of the road
to Salzstiegl is dirt road, about to be paved in near future. Coming
down the Semmering highway S36 From
Vienna, Graz or Klagenfurt, drive via
Zeltweg and Möbersdorf. For Pack, from Vienna, Graz
or Klagenfurt A2 motorway exit Pack.
by coach/bus: Linie 12
Koflach-(Hirschegg)-(Modriach)-Pack-Koflach - Verbund linie
722
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