8. Etappe Styrian Iron Trail - Vordernberg - St. Peter-Freienstein

We start at Radwerk IV in Vordernberg (1), 839 m, and walk out of the valley. Shortly after the Lehrfrischhütte, we turn right and follow the hiking trail, which leads continuously uphill to the Barbarakreuz. The descent to the Hirnalm is via paths and forest roads, with some short counter-climbs to overcome. After leaving the forest, we come to the pastures and shortly afterwards to the Hirnalm huts (2), 934 m. From the Hirnalm, we follow the gravel road to the Krumpen valley floor and see information boards about mining and nature conservation at the car park. For the next few kilometers, we hike out of the valley on the quiet road along the Krumpenbach stream to the beginning of Hafnig and the intersection with the road overpass. Here we turn right, cross the stream, and continue for about 300 m parallel to the main road. After a short climb along the asphalt road, we reach a wayside shrine on the hill, where we turn left. Across scenic meadows, we reach the outskirts of the town and finally the main square in Trofaiach (3), 658 m. Through the center and on across the Vordernberger Bach stream, the hiking trail leads past Mell Castle until, after a few meters of ascent, we reach the Mell plateau and the landscape picture frame. We start at Radwerk IV in Vordernberg (1), 839 m, and walk out of the valley. Shortly after the Lehrfrischhütte, we turn right and follow the hiking trail, which climbs steadily. We turn right and follow the gravel road, which leads across well-tended cultivated land to the valley floor of the Laintalbach stream. In the small village of Wolkersdorf, we turn left and hike uphill along a forest road across meadows and through the forest. The short detour to the “G'spitzten Wand” (4), 872 m, is highly recommended due to the view. Caution! Short, steep, and exposed section. Back on the main path, we hike a few more meters uphill before continuing downhill on forest roads and paths to the Maria Freienstein pilgrimage church. Via the paved access road to the pilgrimage church, we reach the main road, which we cross and shortly afterwards reach the center of St. Peter Freienstein (5), 605 m.

• Avoid contact with grazing livestock, do not feed the animals, keep a safe distance!
• Behave calmly, do not frighten grazing livestock!
• Mother cows protect their calves. Avoid encounters between mother cows and dogs!
• Always keep dogs under control and on a short leash. If an attack by grazing animals is imminent: immediately remove the leash!
• Do not leave hiking trails on alpine pastures and meadows!
• If grazing livestock is blocking the path, keep as much distance as possible!
• If grazing livestock approaches: remain calm, do not turn your back, avoid the animals!
• Leave the pasture quickly at the first sign of restlessness among the animals!
• Pay attention to fences! If there is a gate, use it, close it properly afterwards, and cross the pasture quickly!
• Treat the people working here, nature, and the animals with respect!

A few tips on how to behave correctly and fairly in the forest:
(Source: www.bundesforste.at – 6/2021)

• Hikers should avoid visiting the forest approximately 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active during these times.
• Plastic bottles, tissues, cigarette butts, etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure you don't leave any trash behind in the forest.
• Camping in the forest and on alpine pastures, as well as making fires, is strictly prohibited!
• In principle, each person is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day in the forest for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Alpine emergency number: Mountain rescue emergency number: 140 EU emergency number: 112

Weather service: www.zamg.ac.at

Direct link to mountain weather in Styria: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark

Telescopic poles: Poles are always advantageous for long-distance hikes. Three-piece poles are ideal for attaching to your backpack during breaks, as they are compact when packed away.

• Hiking boots should meet the requirements, i.e., the boots should be suitable for the difficulty of the terrain, the length of the tour, and the weight of the backpack. Comfortable hiking boots that protect your feet well and give your joints more stability are not the be-all and end-all, but they are essential for a successful hike.
• Backpack with rain cover (approx. 40–50 liter capacity).
• Umbrella and/or a lightweight rain poncho.
• Gloves and headgear (cap and hat), even in summer.
• Pants with removable legs or pants that can be easily rolled up. But opinions differ on this topic, as many hikers simply prefer to wear shorts in summer. The important thing is that the pants are comfortable and dry quickly.
• Outerwear: layered system, T-shirt, sweater, jacket with hood.
• Sun protection: peaked cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and make sure your clothing has UV protection.
• Headlamp: should always be in your backpack.
• Water bottles: two bottles of at least ¾ l each are ideal.
• Lunch box: for the packed lunches offered by the accommodation providers. Avoid waste is the motto!
• Snack: often a muesli bar is enough and you can continue on your way.

• First aid kit with blister plasters.
• Cell phone or GPS device plus battery pack: All stages of the @styrianirontrail can be downloaded as GPS tracks.
• Detailed analog maps with the route marked and an overview map.
• Additional equipment for overnight stays at the Sonnschienalm hut: hut sleeping bag, hut shoes, membership card from alpine clubs.

General information about public transportation in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Refreshments in Vordernberg:

• Gasthof “Schwarzer Adler” inn, Tel.: +43 3849 264, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptstraße 98, www.vordernb-schwarzer-adler.at
• Gasthaus Langreiter, Tel.: +43 3849 210, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptsraße 16 (short detour Styrian Iron Trail or Erzwanderweg)

Accommodation in Vordernberg:

• Gasthof “Schwarzer Adler,” Tel.: +43 3849 264, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptstraße 98, www.vordernb-schwarzer-adler.at
• Gasthaus Langreiter, Tel.: +43 3849 210, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptsraße 16 (short detour from the Styrian Iron Trail or Erzwanderweg

Accommodation in Vordernberg/Präbichl:

• Pension Polsterrinne, Tel.: +43 664 8785 866, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptstraße 2, www.pensionpolsterrinne.jimdofree.com
• Präbichlerhof, Tel.: +43 3849 21960, 8794 Vordernberg, Grübl 6, www.praebichler-hof.at

Infrastructure in Vordernberg:

• Doctors: Dr. Erwin Wurm, Tel.: +43 3849 21944, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptstraße 90
• Grocery store: Nah & Frisch; Hausladen “Schwarzer Adler” (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
• ATM: at Nah & Frisch

Sights in Vordernberg:

• Blast furnace museum Radwerk IV, Tel.: +43 650 3372 097, 8794 Vordernberg, Peter-Tunner-Straße 2
• Erzbergbahn, +43 664 5081 500, 8794 Vordernberg, Hauptstraße 140, www.erzbergbahn.at

Refreshments along the way:

Einkehr Trofaiach:

• Gasthaus Unterdechler, Tel.: +43 3847 2225, 8793 Hafning bei Trofaiach, Mautgasse 4, www.gasthaus-unterdechler.sto.io
• Cafe Schrittwieser, Tel.: +43 3847 2263, 8793 Trofaiach, Hauptstraße 86
• Gasthof „Zum Goldenen Ochsen“, Tel.: +43 3847 38444, 8793 Trofaiach, Hauptstraße 57
• Cafe Gande, Tel.: +43 3847 34033, 8793 Trofaiach, Raiffeisenplatz 1

Refreshments in Trofaiach:

• Gasthaus Unterdechler, Tel.: +43 3847 2225, 8793 Hafning bei Trofaiach, Mautgasse 4, www.gasthaus-unterdechler.sto.io
• Cafe Schrittwieser, Tel.: +43 3847 2263, 8793 Trofaiach, Hauptstraße 86
• Gasthof “Zum Goldenen Ochsen,” Tel.: +43 3847 38444, 8793 Trofaiach, Hauptstraße 57
• Cafe Gande, Tel.: +43 3847 34033, 8793 Trofaiach, Raiffeisenplatz 1

Accommodation in Trofaiach:

• Glögglhof, Tel.: +43 680 2204 879, 8793 Trofaiach, Erzherzog-Johann-Straße 11, www.gloegglhof.at
• Gästehaus Dorfer, Tel.: +43 664 3818 208, 8793 Trofaiach, Trabocherstraße 7, www.gaestehaus-dorfer.at

Infrastructure Trofaiach:

• Doctors: Dr. Stefan Rieder, Tel.: +43 3847 2336, 8793 Trofaiach, Kehrgasse 43a
• Dr. Heinz Tesar, Tel.: +43 3847 3241, 8793 Trofaiach, Hauptstraße 93
• Pharmacy: Maria Hilf Apotheke, Tel.: +43 3847 2247, www.apotheke-mariahilf.com
• Grocery store: Billa Plus
• ATM: Sparkasse, Raiffeisenbank

Sights in Trofaiach:

• Stibichhofen Castle City Museum, Tel.: +43 699 1300 5202, 8793 Trofaiach, Rebenburggasse 2, www.schloss-stibichhofen.at
• Trofaiach Water Park, Tel.: +43 3847 2255, 8793 Trofaiach, Badgasse 2

• SB-Automat 24-Stunden Ab-Hof-Verkauf Bleyer Wolkersdorf, Tel.: +43 676 4352 071, 8793 Trofaiach, Laintal 21
• Gasthaus Mossauer, Tel.: +43 664 2317182, 8793 Laintal 56

Refreshments in St. Peter-Freienstein:

• Freiensteinerhof, Tel.: +43 3842 25116, 8792 St. Peter-Freienstein, Traidersbergstraße 14, www.freiensteinerhof.at

Accommodation in St. Peter-Freienstein:

• Freiensteinerhof, Tel.: +43 3842 25116, 8792 St. Peter-Freienstein, Traidersbergstraße 14, www.freiensteinerhof.at

Infrastructure in St. Peter-Freienstein:

• Doctors: Dr. Susanne Scholtes-Domian, Tel.: +43 3842 25390, 8792 St. Peter am Freienstein, Traidersbergstraße 17
• Grocery store: Billa
• ATM

Sights in St. Peter-Freienstein:

• Maria Freienstein pilgrimage church, Tel.: +43 3847 2453, 8792 St. Peter-Freienstein,
• Freiensteinweg 7, Opening hours: Sat. – Sun. 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., www.kirche-vordernbergertal.at
• Friedhofen Castle, Tel.: +43 3842 22922, Traidersbergstraße 14, 8792 St. Peter-Freienstein

freytag & berndt hiking and cycling map, WK 041, Hochschwab - Veitschalpe - Eisenerz - Bruck an der Mur