Zirbitzkogel

The 2396m high Zirbitzkogel is one of the best viewpoints of Styria and the highest point of the Seetaler alps. It offers hikers breathtaking landscapes with countless sources, rivers and meadows.

The crystal bedrock (Shale, Gneiss and Granite) was formed from the ice age, offering rich sources of cirque lakes (Winterleitenseen and Wildsee). Up till the sub alpine area there are closed off Spruce forests, consisting of Spruce, Larch and Swiss stone pine which can be found in large quantities in the upper Tauern area. On the summit one finds vast plateau's and in the exposed areas, Lichen. Butterfly collectors can expect some of the rare species, especially the Elophos zirbitzensis.

The Zirbitzkogel area is on the Natura 2000 list of parks and since May 2006 part of Europes protected parks.

The Marmot greets one daily!

Regular residents of the high lying Zirbitzkogel are the Marmots. With a length of 30 to 60 cm, a weight of 3 to 7 kg, brown in colour, they can live to be 15 years old.

Marmots build extensive corridor systems where they hibernate over winter for up to 9 months, in the warmer months they come out but are very cautious signalling to each other by means of whistling.