The Schöckl, also known as the local mountain of Graz, is a popular excursion destination, that offers a breathtaking panoramic view, lots of nature and tranquillity. Its popularity could also be related to the fact that the Schöckl cable car takes you up the mountain even if you are not good on foot. This means that people who need a wheelchair can also visit the Schöckl.
Information about the east ascent
If you are looking for a challenge as I did, you can try the east ascent of the mountain. However, it would be best if you have a certain level of fitness and surefootedness because it gets relatively steep, and you can't avoid using your hands at some point. Nevertheless, the east ascent is worthwhile because it is usually not used by so many people so that you will find more peace and silence. In addition, wildflowers can be found in the most incredible places, and the stony paths in the forest are an enchanting sight.
Information on the circular hike over the east ascent
Starting point: Schöckl cable car valley station
Endpoint: Schöckl cable car valley station
Length: approx. 9.67km
Duration: approx. 3 ¾ hours
Level of difficulty: medium to hard
Hiking trail 21
I started my hike at the valley station of the Schöckl cable car. There are parking spaces here (subject to a fee). You can also get there comfortably with the regional bus 250 in the direction of St. Radegund. It stops directly at the St. Radegund cable car.
Once you have reached the valley station, you cross the road to the beginning of the hiking trail number 21 in the direction of Schöneben - Stubenberghaus. It leads directly into the forest, past a climbing park. Now you follow the signs pointing to trail number 21. Roots and larger stones soon crisscross the path.
Hiking trail 21
You follow it until you reach an asphalt road, then walk the road slightly uphill. I ignored the fork in the road to the shorter and better-known trail with the number 21 because there are many people there, and you can't enjoy the hike in peace. My tip would be to continue following the country road instead. It takes a while until you come to a big road curve to the left. At the end of it, a marked trail branches off to the right. It is tiny and easy to miss, so you should pay very close attention here.
Hiking trail number 22
From here on, it becomes quiet, and you are surrounded by beautiful greenery. As a result, you should not encounter as many hikers as you would have on trail number 21.
The paths have merged with nature, and the air is fresh and healthy. You can now let go of everyday life's stress and peacefully walk right into beautiful nature.
Slowly you walk up to some houses. After a while, you have to cross the country road again and then come to open terrain. Here you first keep to the right and then turn left past the houses. There is no actual path, only a beautiful green meadow, so you must orient yourself by these houses.
You reach the car parking space of the Schöcklbartl on the right, cross the Schöcklstreet once more and come to another forest path, that leads towards the east summit. You find this path on the left side after crossing the Schöcklstreet.
Car parking space Schöcklbartl
This path offers enchanting spots, and you might feel like you are in another world with the right incidence of light. I think it is indescribably beautiful there.
Hiking trail to the Schöckl east summit
Follow this path until it crosses the main road again. There you reach the Schöcklstraße for the last time and now have to pass the traffic barrier.
Schöcklstraße traffic barrier
First, keep right for a while until a marked path branches off to the left through the forest. Here you have to pay attention to good orientation. It goes up through the woods.
I came out to a beautiful spot of nature. The grass there looked so soft and fluffy.
Next you come to a forest path and then to a fork in the road.
Here you could take the easier but longer route to the north. I was looking for a challenge and decided to take the more difficult eastern ascent.
To take the east ascent, later, you follow the gravel path to the right.
Do not forget to enjoy the breathtaking view. It is worth it.
Moreover, everything is surrounded by wildflowers, and countless butterflies enjoy them. It is a true paradise for photography.
Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia galathea)
Follow the path until you come to some rocks. Once you have overcome the stones, a very narrow gravel path follows until you reach the forest.
The east ascent
On a tree you will find the trail marker number 22, which is very clearly visible. This is where the steep east ascent begins and whoever has chosen this way should definitely be sure-footed.
Hiking trail number 22
Now you need a sense of direction. You should keep a close eye on the red-white-red markings because it can be difficult to turn back if you take the wrong way. To manage the east ascent, you have to use your hands and climb a little in some places.
After the last large rock, you suddenly look into bright sunlight. The forest opens up in front of you and you step out onto the beautiful, grassy summit plateau.
Reaching this moment made me very happy and proud of myself. I made it to the top all by myself.
On top of the Schöckl
It makes sense to take a break on this beautiful meadow interspersed with small rocks. It is even quieter here at the eastern summit, and there are hardly any people. Under no circumstances should you miss the panoramic view. Take time for a deep breath, discover pictures in the clouds, and let the surroundings affect you.
Summit plateau
Finally, you can head west to the summit cross. You pass the ORF transmitter. Beautiful wooden paths lead the way, the wind blows through your hair, and you have the feeling of complete freedom. This path is barrier-free, so it is also suitable for wheelchair users who have come by cable car.
Wooden path on the Schöckl
If you continue walking, you will pass a small chapel, the Johanneschapel. It was built in 2015 and now serves as a place of strength. The further you go, the more hikers or people who have taken the cable car you will meet because there are various places to stop and a toboggan run.
You come to a pasture further along the wooden path, where there was a particular highlight for me: Cows. If you are careful, you can stroke them. For me, this was a lovely experience. I can't say it often enough, never forget to enjoy the little things - which sometimes come in the size of a cow!
Cow on the Schöckl
Now the summit cross isn't far. Just a few more steps up and a little straight ahead, and you've made it. And suddenly, you are at the top of the Schöckl. Since I was hiking by myself, it was a unique sense of achievement.
A visit to the summit cross is not to be missed.
Summit cross of the Schöckl
Delicious food at the Alpengasthof
Finally, it's time to go back to the restaurants, stop and have something to eat. I decided on the Alpengasthof. With some tasty herb rösti, a fried egg, and a mixed salad for €9.10, you certainly can't go wrong as a vegetarian. The food was beautifully presented and delicious.
Vegetarian food at the Alpengasthof
The descent
When ready for the descent, go back to the ORF transmitter and then turn right towards the Stubenberghaus. I chose the descent path number 21.
Stubenberghaus
You come to an open meadow and can orientate yourself along the toboggan run at the beginning.
Passing the Schöckl-Halterhütte, you come to a crossroads and turn left into the forest. You follow this stony, wide path for quite a while.
If you are out a little later, there is very little going on here, and you can take the time to enjoy the silence. Meditation is possible in one or two beautiful spots. Here, you appreciate that you don't hear any car noise, etc., but can listen to nature and find peace for the soul.
Peach-leaved purple bellflower and goutweed
If you continue, you will come to a fork in the road leading to the lift line. The country road fork, which you already passed at the beginning of the hike, offers the possibility to choose a different path than the one you came from. If you want to reward yourself with a beautiful view of St. Radegund, you should descend via the route below the cable car. A few friendly people in the cable car might wave at you from the gondolas now and then, and you can cheer them up by waving back. At least that was the case on my descent.
Descent under the cable car
Now it doesn't take long to make it back down. Once you arrive at the cable car valley station, all you have to do is wait in the lovely little bus station for the next bus back to Graz - unless you came by car.
Bus stop at the valley station
To go hiking alone on the Schöckl was a great challenge for me and made me want to do this more often. Maybe you'll also try the hike via the east ascent? In conclusion, I can say that it's worth it.
It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. – Sir Edmund Hillary
♡
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