Hohe Rannach

The Hohe Rannach rises to 1,018 metres in the southern Grazer Bergland of Styria. It stands just south-west of the Schöckl and is clearly visible from the city of Graz. The small village of Rannach clings to a southern spur of the mountain, while the main ridge is split between the municipalities of Gratkorn and Stattegg. The mountain is recognised for its geology. It gives its name to a facies of the Grazer Palaeozoic that continues south to the Florianiberg. Dolomites, Barrandei limestones and Kanzel limestone form the slopes, with Eggenberger breccia in places. Several small karst springs on the south-east side once supplied the Graz regional hospital, 10 kilometres away. Walkers can reach the summit from four main starting points, the quickest in about an hour. Forest roads criss-cross the wooded flanks and lead to a stone cairn marking the top. Nearby stands the former Rannach shelter, now in private hands. Mountain bikers follow routes that hosted European and world championship stages in 2003, 2009 and 2018.