Straßegg - Stoakoglhütte

Access to starting point:
From the border crossing Šentilj we continue driving on the highway towards Gradec / Graz and forward towards Linz and Salzburg. Highway A9 we soon leave and we continue driving slightly right in the direction towards Dunaj / Wien and we continue driving on the highway S35. The mention we leave the highway at exit for Mixnitz, and then at the roundabout we go to the exit in the direction of Teichalm. Further, we still follow the signs for Teichalm. At the end of the settlement St. Erhard, a road branches off to the right towards Teichalm, and we continue straight, following the signs for Straßegg, Hartberg, Birkfeld, and Gasen. The road then starts to ascend considerably, and we drive to the mountain pass Straßegg, where the guesthouse Stroßeggwirt is also located. The designated parking lot by the inn is intended for inn guests, so we park in an appropriate place nearby.

Path description:
From the mountain pass, we follow the path towards Sommeralm and Teichalm, initially walking on a macadam road that soon leads us to a spot with several crosses. Križe we bypass on the left, continuing on a cart track, which we leave after crossing a grazing fence, proceeding slightly left on a steeper footpath. After a few minutes, we exit the forest, with beautiful views opening up to the right and behind. Next follows a forested ascent and a higher crossing of a rough forest road, which we later return to. We continue on the road, which soon begins descending; before the fence, we veer slightly left onto a footpath. Next comes a short passage through the forest, and after a cross, we leave the forest, followed by a brief, steeper descent on a grassy slope. The path then leads to a cart track, which, near the Pöllabauerkreuz cross, joins a macadam road.
After a few minutes, when the road enters the forest, we take a marked cart track that ascends steeply, continuing straight at several crossings.
When we reach the southeastern slopes of the mountain Zechnerschlag (Rohregg), we exit the forest and, with a gentle descent, arrive at a nearby road and, a few dozen steps further, the cottage on the mountain pasture Haberlstall Alm.
From the mountain pasture, we head south, and after a short ascent, the path splits. We bear slightly left, following signs for Sommeralm (slightly right for Heulantsch), then diagonally ascend on a cart track. Upon reaching a panoramic grassy ridge, we continue straight (right for Heulantsch), then moderately descend to the next crossing, where we turn left (right for Teichalm).
We proceed in the direction of Sommeralm, and the path on the other side of an indistinct saddle splits once more.
We continue slightly left toward the mountain hut Stoakogelhütte (slightly right leads to Sommeralm and a longer path to the hut Stoakogelhütte) and follow a grassy cart track that traverses slopes eastward. A little further, we reach a side ridge, where we turn right and continue descending on a rougher road, which lower down leads into a forest lane, where we cross a torrent stream. On the other side of the stream, we traverse the slopes of the peak Plankogel, and after passing a nearby cottage, we leave the forest and continue for a few minutes with scenic views. Upon re-entering the forest, we reach the northern ridge of the peak Plankogel, where a path from the settlement Gasen joins from the left.
Here, we turn right and ascend diagonally through the forest. Upon exiting the forest, only a short walk remains to the hut Stoakogelhütte.
Straßegg - Haberlstall Alm 1:25, Haberlstall Alm - Stoakoglhütte 1:05.
Description and pictures refer to conditions in November 2023 and April 2024.

On the way: Pöllabauerkreuz (1274m), Haberlstall Alm (1348m)