Hochturm, 2081 m

From gras green to stone grey - a mountain tour with character

Three huts, a summit with spectacular views, and good transport connections – the hike from
Präbichl to Hochturm offers an experience of nature that is accessible by public transport.

The Trenchtling, an elongated mountain range in the southern Hochschwab group, separates the Tragößertal valley from the Vordernbergertal valley and offers a characteristic mixture of rugged rock formations and wide alpine pastures. The approximately 900 meters of elevation gain to the Hochturm—the highest point of the mountain range—are evenly distributed, making the tour scenically attractive and at the same time easy to walk. With a little luck, you may spot ibex or chamois along the way. Conclusion: an impressive hike that surprises with its alpine character during the ascent to the summit.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

13,0 km

Route

5:30 h

Time

900 hm

Uphill

900 hm

Downhill

2081 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

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More information

Coming from Graz on the A9, take the Traboch exit, continue on the B 115 to Präbichl, then take Laufstraße to the parking lot.
Coming from Vienna on the S6, take the Leoben Ost exit, continue on the B 116 to Leoben, then take the B 115 to Präbichl, then take Laufstraße to the parking lot.

From the Präbichl Passhöhe bus stop (1,226 m), we follow the signs toward “Erzwanderweg,” which leads slightly uphill to the valley station of the Einser chairlift.
The marked hiking trail no. 805 begins to the left of the valley station and runs parallel to the lift route at first. The trail climbs steadily through the forest – with some steeper sections – until we reach the Knappensteig-Alm-Hütte hut. The relatively flat Knappensteig trail takes us through the Polsterkar. After a short, secured section, we reach the Leobner Hütte (1582 m). From there, we climb across open alpine pastures and through mountain pine fields to the Lamingsattel (1677 m). After a short steep section, the terrain opens up – a vast alpine landscape lies before us. We keep straight ahead at the crossroads and follow trail (hiking trail No. 873) until we see the turnoff to the summit at a fallen signpost (as of 07/30/2025). The hiking trail now becomes rockier and stonier. The trail climbs the last few meters of elevation in several switchbacks to the expansive summit plateau of the Hochturm (2,081 m). From here, there is an unobstructed view of the surrounding mountains. The descent initially follows the same route back to the Lamingsattel. There, we follow the turnoff towards Almhäuser and descend through the forest via hiking trail no. 870. After the Handlalm with Halterhütte, we reach a forest road, which we follow downhill. At a fork in the road, we keep towards Präbichl. The road finally takes us back to the pass summit – our starting point.

An alternative ascent is possible with the Einser chairlift (www.praebichl.at) to the “Die Polsterei” hut (www.diepolsterei.at). From there, hiking trail no. 873 leads over the Polstergipfel (1,910 m) to the Hirscheggsattel
and on to the Lamingsattel. From Lamingsattel, follow the described route to the summit of Hochturm and back to the starting point.

Bus line 820 runs between Leoben train station and Präbichl Passhöhe, with a journey time of around 40 minutes.
Information: www.verbundlinie.at and www.oebb.at

There are several parking options at the top of the Präbichl Pass, at the Polstersessellift chairlift, and at the end of the running track.

Refreshment stops: Knappensteig-Alm-Hütte (Sat-Sun), knappensteigalm.at, Leobner Hütte (daily), +43 664/9836164, Halterhütte Handlalm.

Information about the Einser chairlift:
praebichl.at, +43 3849/6060.