Parts of the karstified hill were settled back in the Chalcolithic period and served for limonite mining during the Middle Ages and World War II.

While the whole hill is part of a landscape protection area the south-eastern slopes (Kehlberg) are partially being cultivated as vineyards.

Buchkogel, like the rest of the hill ridge, is built from mid-Devonian limestones and dolomite rocks which are part of the Graz Paleozoic.

[4] The approximately north–south-striking Devonian layer package falls on average 30 degrees to the west and is determined by a fracture tectonic with the main direction east–west.

The sparse creeks run through a ponor into the mountain and emerge from the Eisbründlhöhle, a small cave about 70 meters below on the eastern foot of the hill.

[8] This means that the hill has its own closed karst water system which is not connected to the Mur valley's groundwater body.

[5] The Buchkogel which is mainly owned by the Gebäude- und Baumanagement (building and construction management) GmbH Graz is covered by thermophilic deciduous and mixed forests.

The dominant tree species is Fagus sylvatica or common beech (German Rotbuche) that possibly led to the hill's name.

Other species at the dry warm locations are Acer campestre, Quercus petraea, Sorbus aucuparia, Tilia cordata and Viburnum lantana.

[10][11] The forests on the western city border of Graz not only serve as recreation area, but also make an important contribution to the urban climate, especially regarding the air quality.

In the area of the blind valley Lesser spotted woodpecker and Red-backed shrike also occur as breeding birds.

The middle one located at the edge of the forest turned out to be the most important one and revealed a completely preserved Roman grave for the first time in Graz.

The nearly round chamber with a diameter of 2.8 and a height of about 1.4 meters contained the remains of two or three funerals as well as intact grave goods.

Along with a completely preserved tripod shell and the shards of a drinking cup the grave contained a copper or bronze coin with the face of Antoninus Pius which made it possible to date it back to the second century.

[20][22] The Buchkogel, along with Plabutsch and Platte (in the eastern part of Graz) is one of the most popular destinations located near the city border.

A dense net of hiking trails and forest roads mainly covers the eastern hill slope facing the city.

A frequently used access passes St. Martin's château as well as the remains of vineyard houses and a gasthaus before reaching the top.

The historical observation tower is named after the emperor's son Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria who committed suicide ten years after the construction.