Querlstein and Raidling, Ennstal, Styria.

See also detailed "time-altitude diagram in the image gallery".        

APPROACH: From the barrier at 1140 m, briefly on the forest road and at the sign "Schönmoos" turn right uphill to a fork at about 1280 m (2.35 km). At approx. 1380 m (3.5 km) you reach a gate (mostly locked), you have to lift the bike over it. We pass the junction to the Hochtausing climbing trail (1410 m) and reach the Liezener Hütte signpost at 1460 m before the Lampolten Alm. Here we leave the bike. 4.6 km approach and half an hour with e-bike.

ASCENT: First slightly downhill and over the stream (1335 m). Then cross right and to the Weißenbach junction (1445 m). Straight steep uphill (through a narrow gate), at the end of the gully left and to a bench at about 1660 m. At the fork Fiedelbrunn (1725 m) continue left, a bit down, slightly ascending and onto a meadow. The Liezener Hütte (1762 m) stands just above the stream, a few meters higher.

The ascent to the Raidling takes place in front of the hut, wooden sign. Pathless on trail tracks, further up following the cairns, we reach the Raidling East Summit (1909 m) with great views to the Lampoltner Alm and the Hochtausing. 500 m elevation gain and with brisk ascent almost 1 1/4 hours walking time. Back to the hut and right to the signpost on the meadow below the hut. Now follow the stream to the left (path is marked), until it goes uphill (~1770 m). Here we leave the marked trail and cross the stream on the left. Slight ascent and follow the Goldbachl, mostly on the left side, to a beautiful meadow. At the end there is a stream fork at about 1800 m, we keep right and can already see the Querlstein. We hike towards it, always in the stream valley, pass a pond (lies on the lower left) and keep hitting trail tracks. After about 40 minutes from the hut (~1820 m), climb right on tracks, then keep left of a dwarf pine field (around 1900 m), right is the summit, which we bypass on the west side. The track becomes clearer and we reach at about 2010 m a gully climbing to the right. Here climb up the stepped terrain until we see the markings of the hiking trail at the top. Now it's done, right simply over meadow terrain to the two summits of the Querlstein (2084 m) with magnificent views to the Goldsee and the Mölbing range. 860 m elevation gain and 2 3/4 hours from the bike depot or trail junction (1460 m).

DESCENT: Back along the ascent trail and at about 1935 m turn right downhill to the nearby beautiful Goldsee 1907 m. Here south to a kind of saddle (1920 m) and follow the valley. If we stay left, we reach the pond and the stream fork at 1800 m of the ascent route. Best back to the Liezener Hütte as in the ascent. Trail 218 brings us westwards, in wonderful terrain along the stream course, to the Hochmölbinghütte (1684 m). (Another 60 m elevation gain and almost 1 1/2 hours) from the Querlstein summit.

After a rest in the beautiful hut a few meters down, over the little bridge and to a signpost at the high point (1725 m) of the Grazersteig. Here we climb sharply left uphill, the trail is marked and we reach the West Summit of the Raidling (1912 m), again with wonderful views. Back on the ascent path, over the high point (Raidling fork) to a sharp hairpin bend (1721 m) with a bench, left and downhill to the Lampoltner Saddle 1570 m. On the forest road, then shortcut via the Lampoltner Alm to the bike depot 1460 m. From here knee-friendly (4.6 km) on the forest road to the Schönmoos parking. Total descent: 360 m elevation loss, 2 3/4 hours descent time and 15 minutes by bike.

Entire circular route: 1550 m elevation gain, 5 1/2 hours walking and 3/4 hours cycling time. Total distance ~18.7 km and 9 km cycling distance.