Stage 09 From Glacier to Wine South Route Krakau - St. Peter am Kammersberg

Accessible by public transport

Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 19,4 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 320 hm

Downhill 800 hm

Highest point 1300 m

This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine is characterised by gentle family and themed hiking trails through the Krakau Valley and is predominantly downhill. Along the way, hikers encounter a number of charming highlights, including the bathing lake at Krakaudorf, the Günster Waterfall – one of the highest waterfalls in Steiermark – and the picturesque village of Schöder. The route follows the southern slopes of the valley, offering beautiful views of the surrounding villages all the way to St. Peter am Kammersberg.

The Krakau Valley, one of Austria's 20 Mountaineering Villages, lies at an elevation of approximately 1,100 metres in the east and 1,400 metres in the west. Several broad side valleys extend northwards towards the main ridge of the Niedere Tauern, while the surrounding mountain ranges rise to elevations of more than 2,700 metres.

Benefiting from relatively low levels of precipitation and abundant sunshine, the Krakau Valley remains something of an insider tip for hikers and mountaineers seeking unspoilt mountain landscapes.

One of the region's most impressive natural attractions is the Günster Waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Steiermark. Here, the water plunges 65 metres over the crystalline rocks of the Schladminger Tauern before reaching the Günsterbach below.

Between 250 and 300 litres of water per second cascade over three impressive falls and two basins carved into the rock by centuries of erosion. Since 1906, visitors have been able to experience this natural spectacle via a network of trails and stairways.

Best season

January

February

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More information

Detailed information on how to get to Krakau can be found here.

From Krakauhintermühlen, home to the beautifully situated hiking hotel Stigenwirth, we follow the road for a short distance before reaching a turn-off towards Lifthäusel. Here, we leave the road and continue slightly downhill, following the signs for "Footpath to Krakaudorf".

After rejoining the road, we pass through the small hamlet of Scharnigl and soon reach the idyllic bathing lake at Krakaudorf, which the route follows along its shore. Before long, the trail enters a beautiful woodland section that provides welcome shade during the summer months.

The forest path eventually reaches a road, where we keep left at a junction to visit the Günster Waterfall. Those who already know the waterfall or prefer a more direct route to the day's destination can continue straight ahead towards Schöder. However, the short detour is highly recommended.

At the waterfall, visitors face a pleasant dilemma: first enjoy a refreshing drink at the inn "Zum Wasserfall", or explore the impressive gorge and waterfall? Once both have been enjoyed, the route follows the Wasserfall Circular Trail, crossing a narrow footbridge east of the inn before reaching the road leading up the Schöderberg.

The road is left at the first bend, where signs marked "Wanderweg nach Schöder" guide the way onwards. Along this section, hikers can admire the imposing Baierdorf Fortified Tower, dating back to the 11th century, from afar.

The Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine then continues through farmland before reaching a small hill. Here, we keep right and follow local trail no. 7 down to the road and onwards to Schöder. While in the village, the Church of Our Lady is well worth a visit.

Leaving Schöder, the route follows the right bank of the Schöderbach, using local trails no. 1 and 2. A pleasant forest path leads steadily eastwards before eventually descending left towards the stream.

For a while, the trail follows the banks of the Schöderbach, accompanied by the soothing sound of flowing water. Soon, we reach the outskirts of St. Peter am Kammersberg, where the Katschbach must first be crossed before making the short ascent into the village, the starting point for the following stage to Murau.

Accessible by train and bus: detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

In Krakau, district Krakauhintermühlen, there are enough parking spaces available in the area of the tourist office.

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com

Kompass WK222 Sölktäler, Rottenmanner Tauern, Ennstal, Murau, Naturpark Grebenzen www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK211 Naturpark Zirbitzkogel ·Grebenzen · Murau · Sölkpass www.freytagberndt.at