Hochstadl, Mountain summit in Wildalpen, Austria

Hochstadl is the highest summit of the Ybbstal Alps, a 1,919 m peak in the Kräuterin karst massif on the border of the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag and Liezen districts in Styria, Austria. It lies about 6 km east of Wildalpen and 20 km southwest of Mariazell. The marked route to the top runs from Dürradmer via the Kräuterinhütte at 1,394 m; a second approach starts at the Gresserthütte.

Hochstadl lies on the border of the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag and Liezen districts in Styria, about 6 km east of Wildalpen and 20 km southwest of Mariazell. It belongs to the Kräuterin karst massif and is the highest summit of the Northern Lower Austria Alps. Marked trails reach the top from the Kräuterinhütte and the Gresserthütte; the usual approach starts at Dürradmer and passes the Kräuterinhütte at 1,394 m.

The two mountain huts on the usual routes, Kräuterinhütte at 1,394 m and Gresserthütte, are the social points of the mountain: starting points where hikers set off and return. The suggested ascent runs from Dürradmer up past Kräuterinhütte to the summit, a route shared by walkers heading for the highest point of the Northern Lower Austria Alps.

Most visitors should plan for a full day of hiking and come prepared with sturdy footwear and good navigation aids. Weather conditions can shift rapidly at altitude, so bringing flexible clothing and checking conditions before you head up makes a real difference.

Hochstadl is the highest summit of the Northern Lower Austria Alps, yet it lies administratively in Styria, on the border of the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag and Liezen districts. It belongs to the Kräuterin karst massif, about 6 km east of Wildalpen and 20 km southwest of Mariazell.