Via Alpina Purple A20

The Via Alpina Purple A20 is a 9.7-km point-to-point stage trail in Styria, Austria, gaining 144 m of elevation and losing 138 m over an estimated 2 hours of walking. Rated difficulty Level I — the easiest on the Via Alpina scale — it threads through the forested uplands and open meadows of the Stubalpe, connecting the mountain hut at Salzstiegelhaus with the historic mountain pass at Gaberl.

About the Via Alpina Purple A20

Stage A20 sits within the Via Alpina Purple Trail, one of five TransAlp long-distance routes maintained by the Via Alpina network — among the most significant waymarked hiking corridors in the world under the International Walking Network (IWN). The full Purple Trail stretches across 66 stages, threading through the Eastern Alps from Trieste on the Adriatic coast to Monaco on the Mediterranean, passing through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and France.

Stage A20 specifically traverses the Stubalpe, a gentle upland massif in western Styria (Steiermark) that feels distinctly different from the rocky, high-alpine terrain of other Austrian Via Alpina stages. Here the landscape is governed by dense spruce and beech forest broken by broad alpine meadows — the hallmark pastoral scenery of the so-called "Green Heart of Austria." The stage begins at the Salzstiegelhaus mountain hut and ends at Gaberl, a prominent pass in the Stubalpe that has long served as a crossing point between the Mur Valley to the north and the valleys around Voitsberg to the south.

At 9.7 km and just 144 m of ascent, A20 is one of the shorter and easier stages on the full Purple Trail — an observation that should directly shape how you structure your itinerary. Most thru-hikers walking the Austrian section find that combining A20 with the preceding or following stage is not only feasible but strongly advisable. Walking it as a standalone day feels under-ambitious for anyone with reasonable fitness. The exception is hikers recovering from a harder previous stage or those who want to take the Rappoldkogel detour at a relaxed pace and spend time at the summit.

The Rappoldkogel (1,928 m) is the outstanding geographical feature of this stage. The official route follows a forest road for much of its length, but an alternative path climbs to the summit of the Rappoldkogel before rejoining the main route lower down. The summit delivers a sweeping panorama over the densely forested province of Styria — a rare open viewpoint in a stage that is otherwise largely enclosed by trees. If you are walking A20, the Rappoldkogel detour is the single most consequential choice you will make on this stage: take it unless weather is actively closing in. A stage that might otherwise feel like a gentle forest stroll becomes a proper alpine day with a summit reward worth the extra effort.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A20 is a single leg of the Purple Trail, running entirely within the Stubalpe in western Styria. The terrain is moderate with no technical sections, making it accessible to well-prepared beginners. The forest road that forms the spine of the main route provides reliable footing year-round, while the Rappoldkogel variant involves steeper grassy slopes that require sure footing in wet conditions.

The elevation gain figure of 144 m applies to the main forest road route; the Rappoldkogel variant adds roughly 380 m of ascent above this. Both variants converge before the final approach to Gaberl. The stage is entirely within Austria and follows the signature purple diamond waymarkers of the Via Alpina network.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Salzstiegelhaus — The mountain hut at the start of A20, sitting in the heart of the Stubalpe and serving as the overnight stop for thru-hikers arriving from the previous stage. A traditional Austrian Hütte with dormitory beds, warm meals, and the convivial atmosphere typical of the Via Alpina hut network. Getting an early start from here is especially important if you plan the Rappoldkogel variant on a summer day when afternoon thunderstorms are common.
• Rappoldkogel (1,928 m) — The high point of the stage on the optional summit route. At nearly 1,930 m, the Rappoldkogel rises above the treeline on its upper flanks, offering one of the best elevated viewpoints in the western Styrian uplands. The summit panorama sweeps across the densely forested rolling hills of Styria — a landscape that, from this height, reveals just how vast and green this province really is.
• Stubalpe Meadows — The open alpine meadows of the Stubalpe are a defining feature of this stage, particularly in summer when wildflowers carpet the clearings between forest patches. This pastoral landscape is unusual for a Via Alpina stage and provides a restful counterpoint to more technical alpine terrain on other Austrian stages.
• Stubalpe Forest Road — The main route follows a broad forest track through dense spruce and beech woodland. This is a relaxed walking surface accessible in most weather conditions, and the enclosed forest provides shelter from wind and light rain — a significant benefit when Styrian afternoon showers arrive without warning.
• Gaberl Pass (~1,547 m) — The end point of the stage, the Gaberl is a historically significant mountain pass in the Stubalpe that has served as a route between the Mur Valley and the Köflach basin for centuries. Today the pass is popular with cyclists tackling the scenic Gaberstraße, and the Gasthof at the top makes a welcoming endpoint for thru-hikers arriving on tired legs.
• Western Styrian Uplands — This stage immerses hikers in the "Green Heart of Austria" — a landscape defined by undulating forested ridges that feel entirely different from the rocky limestone and glacier terrain of the Northern Calcareous Alps further north. The completeness of this green canopy is remarkable even by Austrian standards.
• Via Alpina Purple Trail Corridor — Walking A20 places you on one of Europe's great long-distance hiking routes, the same path that experienced thru-hikers cover over months of continuous walking from the Adriatic to the Mediterranean. Even as a single stage, the sense of being part of something much larger lends depth to what might otherwise be an uneventful forest walk.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A20

The Stubalpe sits at moderate elevations compared to Austria's higher alpine zones, giving A20 a longer viable hiking season than many other Via Alpina stages. The paths are typically snow-free from late April, though the forest tracks can be muddy until mid-May when the ground dries after winter snowmelt.

June brings the first reliable conditions and the meadows at their most flower-rich. Days are long and temperatures are comfortable at Stubalpe elevations, though afternoon thunderstorm risk begins to build through the month. July and August offer the warmest conditions but also the most frequent afternoon thunderstorms in western Styria — morning starts from the Salzstiegelhaus are strongly recommended to reach the Rappoldkogel summit before storms develop, typically from early afternoon.

September is the single best month to hike A20. Thunderstorm frequency drops sharply after August, the light takes on a golden quality, and the Stubalpe meadows and forest begin their early autumn colour shift. Temperatures remain comfortable for walking, huts are less crowded than peak summer, and the overall hiking experience is calmer and more spacious. As of 2026, earlier autumn colour arrivals in the Stubalpe make late September particularly scenic.

October is viable for the forest road sections but the Rappoldkogel variant becomes icy after the first autumn frosts, which typically arrive in the Stubalpe from mid-October. Stick to the main route in October and check local conditions before departing.

Avoid A20 in November through April without winter equipment. The forest roads may be passable but the upper meadows and Rappoldkogel approaches become hazardous under snow and ice.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Accommodation options on A20 are concentrated at the two endpoints of the stage. There is no accommodation between Salzstiegelhaus and Gaberl — the stage passes through largely uninhabited forest and upland terrain.

Salzstiegelhaus is the mountain hut at the start of the stage. It operates as a traditional Austrian Hütte with dormitory (Matratzenlager) and private room options. Dormitory beds typically cost around €25–35 per person per night; half-board (dinner and breakfast) adds approximately €20–25. Book well ahead for July and August weekend nights — the hut fills with both Via Alpina thru-hikers and local day visitors from Styria.

Gaberl has a Gasthof (mountain inn) at the pass that caters to hikers, cyclists, and day visitors arriving by car. Private double rooms with breakfast run approximately €60–90 per night, making it a more comfortable option for hikers who prefer not to share dormitory space. The Gasthof's terrace is a particularly welcome stop after arriving on the stage.

For multi-stage thru-hikers, Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV) membership provides roughly 50% discounted hut rates at participating mountain huts — a significant saving over a multi-week traverse of the Austrian Purple Trail stages. Annual membership costs approximately €63 for adults.

Getting There & Back

The Gaberl pass (stage endpoint) is the most accessible point for logistics. It lies roughly 25 km west of Köflach and is reached via the Gaberstraße — a scenic mountain road also popular with cyclists. From Graz, Austria's second city, the drive to Gaberl takes approximately 70–80 minutes. From Klagenfurt, allow around 90 minutes.

Public transport access to the Stubalpe is limited. The nearest rail connections are at Köflach (served by the Graz–Köflach S-Bahn, line S7) and Judenburg (on the Mur Valley main rail corridor). From Köflach station, a taxi to Gaberl costs approximately €25–40 depending on the operator. There is no scheduled bus service to the Gaberl pass or to the Salzstiegelhaus.

Graz Airport (GRZ) is the most practical international gateway for single-stage hikers and for thru-hikers joining the Purple Trail in this section. Connections run from Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, and other European hubs. From Graz Airport, the city centre is 15 minutes by S-Bahn (line S5), and westward connections toward the Stubalpe run from Graz Hauptbahnhof. Hikers arriving via Vienna Airport (VIE) should allow approximately 3 hours for the combined train and road journey to the Stubalpe area.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike Via Alpina Purple stage A20. The Purple Trail in Austria follows public paths and established rights of way — there are no trail fees, national park entry charges, or quota systems in this section. The Stubalpe is not within a national park boundary.

The only costs to plan for are hut overnight charges, local accommodation tax (Kurtaxe) of approximately €1.50–3.00 per person per night, food, and transport. OeAV membership (see Accommodation above) provides hut discounts that pay for themselves quickly on a multi-stage walk. The official Via Alpina waymarking is maintained by the trail operators and is generally reliable; check via-alpina.org for any seasonal route closures or rerouting notices before departing.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A20 is one of the least technically demanding stages on the Austrian Via Alpina, but the Rappoldkogel variant adds meaningful elevation and exposed terrain on the upper slopes. Pack for a proper alpine day rather than a flat forest walk.

Backpack: For a single-stage day hike on A20, a lightweight pack in the 20–28 litre range is the right choice. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 (536 g) performs well on routes where weather can change quickly — its waterproof Dyneema construction handles Stubalpe afternoon showers without needing a rain cover. For thru-hikers carrying overnight kit through the Austrian stages, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 (1,570 g) offers the back-panel organisation and load transfer needed for consecutive hut-to-hut days. If you're building a genuinely ultralight setup for the full Purple Trail, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider (510 g) carries a 3-day load comfortably at a fraction of a conventional pack's weight — worth considering if you're covering many stages in sequence.

Footwear: Waterproof trail shoes or light hiking boots are appropriate for the forest road sections. The Rappoldkogel variant warrants boots with ankle support on the steeper grassy approaches to the summit. Gaiters are useful in early season when the Stubalpe meadows retain moisture from snowmelt.

Layers and weather protection: Stubalpe elevations mean temperatures can drop 10–15°C between the valley and the Rappoldkogel summit even in midsummer. Carry a windproof mid-layer regardless of the morning forecast, and pack a lightweight waterproof shell for afternoon thunderstorm cover. For calorie planning on a multi-day traverse of the Austrian Purple stages, the guide to hiking calorie needs provides practical numbers for managing your food intake between huts, where resupply options are limited.

Navigation: The Purple Trail is well-marked with the characteristic purple diamond waymarkers. A 1:50,000 topographic map of the Stubalpe or a GPS device with the route loaded provides additional security, particularly on the Rappoldkogel variant where cairns may be obscured in mist. Download the route offline before leaving mobile coverage.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Hikers drawn to the forested uplands and mountain-pass atmosphere of the Via Alpina Purple A20 will find strong alternatives across Austria's Eastern Alps — from gentler waymarked networks to more demanding high-alpine traverses. Austria's hut infrastructure means the logistical template of A20 (arrive at hut, hike, arrive at next hut) transfers well to many of these routes.

• Stubaier Höhenweg (85 km, Austria) — A classic high-alpine circuit in Tyrol's Stubai Alps, offering a more demanding and scenically spectacular multi-day alternative for hikers ready to step up from the Stubalpe terrain. Hut-to-hut throughout, with considerable elevation gain per stage and glacier views rarely found on the Purple Trail's Austrian section.
• Adlerweg (Austria) — The Eagle's Way traverses the Northern Calcareous Alps of Tyrol, waymarked with a distinctive eagle symbol. A longer commitment than A20 but following the same hut-based infrastructure that makes Austrian long-distance hiking so logistically straightforward. Terrain is more exposed than the Stubalpe.
• JK01 (32 km, Austria) — A regional waymarked route offering a taste of Austrian long-distance hiking at a shorter overall distance. Suitable as a weekend trail for hikers who found A20 appealing but want a more self-contained route without the need to link into a 66-stage thru-route.
• JK02 (34 km, Austria) — A companion route to JK01, extending the network of marked paths for those who want a few additional days on trail in the Austrian landscape.
• Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn (Austria) — An access route to the celebrated Berliner Höhenweg in the Zillertal Alps, connecting into one of Austria's most prestigious high-alpine traverses. A logical next step for hikers who completed the Austrian Via Alpina stages and want to push into more demanding terrain.

For walkers planning a broader European hiking trip, the Theth to Valbona crossing in Albania offers a fascinating contrast — a short but dramatically different mountain traverse in the Western Balkans with a very different cultural atmosphere. Whichever route you choose next, a gear upgrade review is worth running before committing to multi-day alpine terrain: our tested round-up of sub-1 kg packs for 2026 covers the best options across several price points for hikers who want to cut pack weight on hut-to-hut routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Purple A20?

September is the single best month. Thunderstorm risk drops sharply compared to July and August, temperatures at Stubalpe elevations remain comfortable for walking, and the forests and meadows begin their early autumn colour. The main hiking season runs June through October, with the path typically snow-free from late April. As of 2026, autumn colour in the Stubalpe arrives slightly earlier than historical averages. Avoid November through April without winter equipment.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Purple A20?

Stage A20 is rated Level I on the Via Alpina difficulty scale — the easiest category on the network. The main route follows a broad forest road with no technical terrain and just 144 m of total ascent over 9.7 km. The optional Rappoldkogel summit variant (1,928 m) adds steeper grassy slopes requiring sure footing but no scrambling or climbing skills. Waterproof walking shoes and reasonable aerobic fitness are sufficient for the main route; light hiking boots with ankle support are preferable for the Rappoldkogel detour.

How far is stage A20 and how many kilometres per day should I expect?

The main stage covers 9.7 km with 144 m of elevation gain and takes approximately 2 hours at a moderate hiking pace on the forest road route. Adding the Rappoldkogel summit detour extends the day by roughly 1.5 hours and approximately 380 m of additional ascent. For thru-hikers on the Purple Trail, A20 is one of the shorter Austrian stages and is routinely combined with an adjacent stage — most experienced hikers covering this section plan 15–20 km total per day including A20.

Where can I stay along the Via Alpina Purple A20?

The two accommodation points on A20 are the Salzstiegelhaus mountain hut at the stage start (dormitory beds from approximately €25–35 per night, half-board available) and the Gasthof at Gaberl pass at the stage end (private rooms from around €60–90 per night). There is no accommodation between the two endpoints. Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV) membership provides roughly 50% hut discounts at participating huts. Book the Salzstiegelhaus well ahead for July and August weekends — capacity is limited.

Do I need a permit to hike the Via Alpina Purple A20?

No permit is required. Stage A20 runs over public paths and established rights of way in Styria — there are no trail fees, national park entry charges, or quota systems affecting this section. The only costs to plan for are hut overnight charges, local accommodation tax (Kurtaxe) of approximately €1.50–3.00 per person per night, food, and transport. OeAV membership reduces hut costs substantially for multi-stage hikers and pays for itself within a few overnight stays.