Röthelstein

The Röthelstein is a 1,263-metre peak in the Grazer Bergland of Styria, rising steeply above the Mur valley. Its dramatic limestone cliffs form a striking landmark visible from the Brucker Schnellstraße. The mountain shares its name with the nearby village of Röthelstein and overlooks the Mittleres Murtal from the orographic left bank. Around it tower the Hochlantsch at 1,720 metres and the Rote Wand at 1,505 metres, the highest summits of the range. The geology dates back 400 million years to the Devonian, when coral reefs in the Palaeotethys Ocean formed the distinctive reef facies. The Röthelstein is best known for the Drachenhöhle, one of Styria’s most important Neolithic sites. The cave entrance lies at 950 metres on the western slope and remains unlocked, though guided tours are required inside. A second cave, the Mathildengrotte, sits at similar altitude on the southern flank. The area above the caves is home to a colony of Alpine ibex that roam the slopes of Röthelstein, Rote Wand and Hochlantsch. Walkers can follow the unmarked route from Mixnitz or take the shorter path from the Rote Wand car park near Tyrnau. The normal ascent climbs the steep west face from Mixnitz, passing a secured chimney before reaching the Drachenhöhle. Beyond the cave the path continues through partly wooded ground to the summit zone, where the actual top is fenced off to protect the ibex. From the Mixnitz railway station the climb takes about two and a quarter hours; from the Rote Wand car park it is roughly one hour. On the southern and south-western sides the mountain offers numerous climbing routes graded from UIAA 4– to 8-, including popular lines such as Plattenzauber, Eldorado and Michelangelo.