Fischbach Alps

The Fischbach Alps form a low, wooded range in eastern Styria, running from the Mur gap west of Bruck an der Mur to the Feistritz Saddle in the east. Their rounded summits rarely exceed 1,800 metres, giving the hills the gentle profile of a low mountain land. Forests of spruce and beech clothe the slopes, opening into wide Alpine meadows where cattle graze in summer. The highest point is Stuhleck at 1,782 metres, while Pretul and Amundsenhöhe also rise above 1,600 metres. Lower peaks such as Teufelstein and Sauernkogel offer gentler walks with wide views. The name comes from the village of Fischbach, which sits at the western edge of the range. In the heart of the mountains lies Alpl, a hamlet in Krieglach, where the 19th-century writer Peter Rosegger was born. In 1998 an ORF television programme called ‘Gebirge ohne Härte: Die Fischbacher Alpen’ explored the villages and peaks, drawing attention to their quiet charm. The range’s soft outlines and well-marked paths make it a favourite for walkers who prefer gentle routes. A few modest refuges provide simple overnight stops after a day on the hills. Visitors find a network of marked trails winding through forests and across meadows. The broad ridge from Stuhleck to Pretul offers long, unbroken views over Styria. In spring and summer the meadows are bright with wild flowers, and the scent of pine carries on the breeze. Small farms still operate in the valleys, selling cheese and milk to passing walkers. The region remains little known outside Austria, so the paths are rarely crowded.