Hiking around Hotel Kongress Leoben
From the hotel straight to the hiking fun in the Erzberg adventure region
Use a free weekend for shopping, relaxing and hiking or spend some time out in nature as part of a business trip. There are many reasons for a hike around Leoben and guests at the Hotel Kongress appreciate the many possibilities.
Everything is possible, from simple forest walks to peaks beyond 2,000 meters to the most challenging via ferrata. In the immediate vicinity of the town, you can also discover traces of the former bright coal mining industry, which is inextricably linked to the history of the mining town.
Before the hike: energizing breakfast & short journeys
Enjoy a hearty breakfast from the buffet and set off on your hike straight from the hotel. The cereal corner with various "superfoods" such as goji berries is particularly suitable for upcoming hiking adventures..
The starting point for the hike to Schmollhube or Mugel is only 15 minutes away. You can safely leave your car in the old town car park (link to "Arrival & Parking").
All other hikes described here can be reached by car in a maximum of 30 minutes. The following applies to all hikes: please do not forget to plan accordingly and bring the right equipment. The reception team will be happy to help you with information on current conditions and seasonal opening times.
After the trail: relaxation & culinary delights in Leoben
A cozy single or double room (with air conditioning on request) awaits tired but happy hikers at Hotel Kongress. To replenish the electrolytes you have sweated out, the Arkadenhof - Leoben's oldest brewery pub - serves you a freshly tapped glass of GÖSSER beer. After a relaxing night, the breakfast buffet leaves nothing to be desired and you save 20% on admission to the AsiaSpa wellness oasis. The hotel team will also be happy to help you organize your transport to the starting point of the STYRIAN IRON TRAIL.
Easygoing hike to the Hochalm (1.580m)
Rumour has it that the best roast pork in Styria is served up here. Of course, everyone should judge that for themselves. But the fact is: you shouldn't start the hike up to the Hochalm too late if you want to get your hands on a portion of oven roast. The hike ends after just under 1.5 hours at the small alpine hut.
However, the 14-kilometre drive from the Hotel Kongress to the car park must also be taken into account. The road leads via Leitendorf and Göss, past the Maria Kaltenbrunn chapel, into the Groß-Gößgraben, then the car park below the "Almwirt" is signposted. The hike to the culinary hiking destination starts here.
Hiking tip from Hotel Kongress: No mountain hut. Please note the opening hours!
Route description: Mountain tour to the Eisenerzer Reichenstein
If the conditions are right, then nothing stands in the way of an ascent to one of the most beautiful high plateaus in a wide area. From the Präbichlerhof (arrival by car, approx. 30 minutes), you initially follow the path along the ski slope. This becomes steadily steeper and leads to the Rösslhals, the saddle between Rössl and Reichenstein at 1,750 metres. Here you can already enjoy a magnificent view of Eisenerz and the fascinating landscape of the Erzberg, which is characterized by ore mining.
From here, things get more challenging. The flank to Erzberg drops steeply and should not be taken lightly, especially in wet conditions. A long traverse leads to a junction. To the left is the shorter option to the "Stiege" (an iron ladder), to the right the normal route leads to the destination. Depending on whether you want to reach the "hut" or "summit", you will then have to decide once again. However, one does not exclude the other, as the hut and summit are also connected by a path.
As you should definitely not miss out on the view from the Reichenstein, the recommendation is to climb to the summit first. The terrace of the Reichensteinhütte invites you to linger and the team spoils you with all kinds of delicacies. If you dine here extensively, you may lack the motivation to walk over to the summit cross afterwards.
The sunrises and sunsets on the Reichenstein are one reason why it is worth either getting up very early or considering an overnight stay at the hut.
In the centre of Styria's hiking paradise
Leoben is surrounded by wooded hills and the routes into nature are short. To enjoy this, it doesn't always have to be a day hike. An evening walk to the Pambichler Warte or along the Mur is also ideal to leave the challenges of the day behind and recharge your batteries.
This selection represents only a small selection of hiking trails. Thanks to the excellent transport links, Hotel Kongress is also a good base for hikes in the Graz mountains, the Hochschwab massif or the Grebenzen Nature Park. If you are traveling a little further, the following peaks can be worthwhile destinations:
- Zirbitzkogel (2.396m)
- Hochreichart (2.316m)
- Gößeck/Reiting (2.214m)
- Messnerin (1.835m)
- Rennfeld (1.629m)
- Hochlantsch (1.720m)
The hotel team will be happy to show you the way.
