An infinitely flowery hike from the Teichalm up to the Rote Wand

Meadows, rocks, gorges and forests, an absolute paradise for hikers - you can find all this on the beautiful Teichalm. If you like small forest paths, wildflowers and a wide variety of wild animals, the hike from the Teichalm to the Rote Wand is right for you. There are also fantastic vantage points with panoramic views.

The hike begins in Weiz on the Teichalm, one of Austria's largest contiguous alpine pasture areas. There are parking spaces at the beautiful Teichalm Lake and the guesthouses. You can also reach the Teichalm Lake with the collective taxi of Eastern Styria or by bus - although it makes sense to find out about the departure times beforehand. There are many leisure activities: you can go pedal boating on the lake or rent a go-kart in summer. If you like fishing, you can enjoy trout and char. Also, you can feed the fish, and they seem very trusting, which is why they are great to watch.

If you plan to stay longer, you will find hotels around the Teichalmsee, e.g. the Latschenhütte, the Alm-Wellness Hotel Pierer or the Teichwirt. There are also numerous restaurants around the Teichalm, where you will find mainly local products.

The hike across the Teichalm up to the Rote Wand begins opposite the Teichalm Lake. A sign points to the direction of the Tyrnauer alpine hut to the Alm-Erich, where a forest path leads across a ski slope.

In summer, this is a grazing area for cows, and when the cows have calves with them, you have to be very careful, especially if you are walking with a dog, from which the cows might feel threatened. If there is a herd of cows on the path, it is usually no problem to walk past them because cows are non-aggressive animals.

However, you should keep a few things in mind: If possible, keep a safe distance from the cowherd, especially if it already seems restless. Don't necessarily walk through the middle of the herd! It's better not to get too close to the lovely calves. Also, do not stroke or try to feed them because the mother cow will act very protective.

Better avoid noise or hectic movements. Even if the cows come very close, you should keep walking calmly and never start running. If you are walking with a dog, you often are advised to let it off the leash in case of emergency, as it is usually fast enough to avoid being hurt by the cows. To prevent a plight from occurring in the first place, it makes sense to keep dogs away from herds of cows. If you follow these tips and treat the animals calmly and respectfully, you should make it safely through the cowherd. Besides, a cowherd is beautiful to watch.

If you follow the forest path, you will soon come to a forest where the trees provide shade and cooler temperatures. Follow the path until a sign points to a trail towards the Tyrnaueralm. The trail continues uphill and rewards you with a great view of the alpine pasture.

On the way there, I was particularly pleased to see many bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It was not surprising, as there were so many wildflowers everywhere.

Now just follow the beautiful rooted path further through the forest.

When the forest clears, you have a good view of the Schöckl and the surrounding mountain landscape, which is very beautiful. But even if plants hide the outlook, you can discover a lot. For example, the Six-Spot Burnet, which I had the pleasure of meeting on the hike.

Six-Spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae)

Once you have made it around the Schweineck, continue in the direction of the Tyrnauer alpine hut to the Alm-Erich. Pretty little paths lead you there.

Since there was a restricted forestry area in the middle of the hiking trail, which is supposed to remain in place until the 15th of July, I took a diversion, which fortunately was well signposted. As the earth is still soft here, you better be careful not to slip.

Finally, the Tyrnauer alpine hut appears and offers a perfect opportunity to stop for a drink, a bite to eat, or to use the restrooms. 

Tyrnauer alpine hut

Here, you also will encounter cows. Next to the hut, there is a breathtaking wildflower meadow that you definitely should see if you visit at this time of year.

Past the hut, a sign points to trail 747, in the direction of the Rote Wand. From here, it takes about an hour to reach the summit cross. A small path leads uphill across a lush green meadow.

On enchanted little paths, surrounded by flowers and wild bees, you get closer to the Rote Wand, bit by bit.

Yellow Ox-Eye flower (Buphthalmum Salicifolium); Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis)

My favourite flowers, forget-me-nots, can also be found. In my opinion, there can never be enough of these tiny beauties. I loved to see them grow in the wild.

forget-me-nots (Myosotis arvensis)

Via a wooden staircase, which - among other things - ensures that the cows stay in their pasture, you continue to an open meadow. From there you can already see the Rote Wand very well.

view of the Rote Wand

But the view is fantastic in all directions. I was absolutely in love with the small tree in the open meadow and the amazing background.

Afterwards, the trail enters the forest again, the path crisscrosses with small and large rocks, and it doesn't take much longer to reach the summit.

Via a rocky staircase, you finally reach the top. You should be aware that the slope is very steep in places. Surefootedness and endurance are generally essential on this hike.

Finally, you reach the summit cross. The view is breathtaking,  it is quiet up here, and only occasionally do you meet other hikers. If you have made it this far, you can sign the summit book, which you will find right by the summit cross.

Summit cross, Rote Wand

It makes sense to take a break up here. If you have brought provisions, you can enjoy them here in peace and let the view take effect on you.

If you like it quiet and want to meet only a few or no other hikers, then instead of simply going back the same way, you can also follow the sign in the direction of the Rote Wand car park via the Buchebensattel to Mixnitz. It leads to hiking trail 747.

If you choose this path, you will get rewarded with an indescribably beautiful view of the Tieber-ponds. This view is fascinating in itself. I recommend you to convince yourself with the help of the following photo. Or you go on this hike to see it there.

View of the Tieber-ponds

The path leads through the forest many times, and the views you have in between are worthwhile. If you are lucky, you can meet ibexes during the hike. An ibex jumped right in front of me, but unfortunately, I was too slow with my camera to take a photo because I didn't see it coming. It was a wild experience anyways.

You can also encounter other creatures, such as blindworms. Incidentally, the blindworm does not belong to the snakes but the lizards. Therefore it is not dangerous for animals or humans.

Blindworm

Once you have hiked through the forest for a while, you come to a forest road. A sign points to Mixnitz to the trail 748 under the Rote Wand. Now you follow this path, surrounded by impressive red rocks.

Finally, continue under the Rote Wand until you reach the Tyrnauer alpine hut again via the wildflower meadow. 

From the Tyrnauer alpine hut, take the forest road in the direction of the Teichalm. If you are lucky, you can take great pictures in the forest in a special light. At this time of day, the forest path is somehow magical.

You stay on the Teichalm long-distance hiking trail because a special treat of nature awaits you here: the Mixnitzstream. Once you have found it, it is not difficult to get back to the Teichalm. Just follow it upstream.

The water is clear, so you can also find crayfish here.

Finally, the forest road leads you comfortably back to the Teichalm.

Here you can pay a visit to the large wooden cow before slowly winding down for the evening.

I was lucky enough to return to the Teichalm at sunset, the time when the Teichalm Lake is incomparably beautiful to behold.

Teichalm Lake

In summary, this was probably one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done, and I would love to come back and try out one of the countless other hiking trails available here. I can only recommend everyone to get here and find inspiration by nature.

Nature is not a place to visit. It is home. – Gary Snyder

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