Stubalpe

The Stubalpe is a mountain range in the Austrian province of Styria, part of the Lavanttal Alps and the Styrian Randgebirge. It stretches roughly 22 kilometres between Köflach in the southeast and Weißkirchen at the southern edge of the Aichfeld in the upper Mur valley. The highest peak is the Rappoldkogel at 1,928 metres. The range is linked to the Gleinalpe to the east by the Gaberl Pass at 1,547 metres, while the Hirschegger Sattel connects it to the Packalpe to the southwest. The Stubalpe has long served as a crossing for travellers moving between the Graz basin and the upper Mur valley. Historic records show that at key passes like the Gaberl, rest houses called ‘Stuben’ once stood where people could warm themselves. Today the area is one of Styria’s most popular excursion destinations, with weekend settlements and two alpine huts: the Altes Almhaus on the Wölkerkogel and the Salzstiegelhaus at the Hirschegger Sattel. The long-distance trail 05 follows the main ridge north to south, and a small ski area operates at the Gaberl. Visitors find open grassy ridges, steep forested slopes and sweeping views across Styria. The Gaberl Pass itself offers a broad saddle with parking and a wind park of two turbines supplying power to nearby Köflach. Beyond the pass the Salzstiegelhaus stands at the meeting point of several hiking routes, while the Altes Almhaus provides shelter beneath the Wölkerkogel. The whole summit zone is protected for walkers, with the Rappoldkogel and Brandkogel kept free of wind turbines to preserve their character as important hiking peaks.