Hochstein

The Hochstein rises 925 metres above sea level in the western Grazer Bergland of Styria. It stands north of Gratwein-Straßengel between two deep valleys, the Mühlbachgraben to the north and the Hörgasgraben to the south. A narrow ridge with a forest track leads north to the Mühlbacherhütte near the Mühlbacher Kogel. On the western side the ground drops away in short cliffs and scattered rock faces. The ascent begins at Stift Rein where the marked trail 34 heads west below the summit toward the hut. After a short distance a narrow branch on the right leaves the main path and climbs unmarked to the top. A small iron cross just twenty centimetres high marks the highest point of the Hochstein. The summit offers views across the valleys toward the Gleinalpe and the western Styrian ranges. The surrounding slopes carry beech woods with open patches of rock and grass. The route back can follow the forest track north to the hut before descending to the valley floor.