Emperor Karl circular hiking trail, St. Jakob im Walde

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 5,8 km

Time 2:00 h

Uphill 180 hm

Downhill 180 hm

Highest point 1159 m

On historical ground you hike from the former imperial hunting lodge at the Orthofer Inn in St. Jakob im Walde, past various power points, water sources, game feeders, prominent trees and to the place where Emperor Karl shot his first capercaillie. The magnificent view of the Joglland-Waldheimat region and a cozy stop at the Orthofer Inn make this hike an experience.

At the starting point, you are truly standing on historical ground, because the former hunting lodge of Emperor Karl I and Empress Zita stood here. During hunting season, the imperial family always came to St. Jakob im Walde and in May 1902 the then Archduke Karl shot his first capercaillie with imperial hunting guide Erhard Orthofer. Due to a chimney fire, the entire hunting lodge burned down in 1922. Only the emperor's table could be saved and can still be seen today in the Orthofer Inn. The bell tower in front of the inn is also original and still reminds of that time.

The starting point is surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape, by the Fischbacher Alps, the peaks of the Hochschwab and the Hohe Veitsch in the northwest, as well as the Pretul and the Stuhleck in the north. Also on the whole further tour you can expect again and again fantastic views and interesting places, for example the place where Emperor Karl shot his first capercaillie.

Best season

January

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More information

From Vienna via A2 to Friedberg exit and B54 to Rohrbach ~ from Graz via A2 to Rohrbach - Vorau exit, then to Rohrbach and on to Waldbach and St. Jakob/W. From St. Jakob/W, after approx. 2 km in the direction of Ratten, turn right at GH Orthofer and Jogllandloipe.

From the S6 exit Krieglach via the Alpl to Ratten and in the direction of St. Jakob/W. The journey continues until approx. 2 km before the village of St. Jakob/W, where you will see the turn-off to GH Orthofer and the Jogllandloipe trail on the left.

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

St. Jakob im Walde, Orthofer Inn (free)

We start at the Orthofer Inn and follow the green signs "Kaiser Karl Rundweg".
Head north up the meadow, past the pond to the Riegler Kohlstatt.
Now we continue along the forest road to the next crossroads.
At this crossroads we follow the slightly sloping forest road and come to the place where Emperor Karl shot his first capercaillie.
Follow the signs downhill until you reach the crossroads for the Plenznerhütte.
At this crossroads we follow the green signs and take the forest road on the far left, which is flat.
We cross a small stream and then we go down to the right along the path
After approx. 800 m we come to a forest road, where the signposts point us left up to the Orthofer Inn.

European emergency call: 112
Emergency call mountain rescue: 140 (if possible please provide GPS data)
Rescue: 144
Fire brigade: 122
Police: 133

A few tips on correct and fair behaviour in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at )

Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active during this time.

Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any rubbish in the forest.

Camping and lighting fires are strictly forbidden in the forest!

In principle, every person is allowed to pick 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for personal use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Small backpack with water bottle (+ provisions)
Sturdy shoes
Appropriate clothing - if possible several layers - "onion principle".
Rain and sun protectionWalking sticks as required
Mobile phone
Small first aid kit
Route description
Before starting the hike, check the possibilities for refreshments, including opening times, or pack appropriate food and drink.

You follow in the footsteps of Emperor Charles I and pass numerous historical places, for example the place where he shot his first capercaillie.

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.
For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

Tourism Association East Styria
Office Joglland - Waldheimat
8255 St. Jakob im Walde, church quarter 24
Tel.: +43 3336 20255

www.joglland-waldheimat.at
www.oststeiermark.com
joglland-waldheimat@oststeiermark.com

Orthofer Inn and Pension
Filzmoos 12, 8255 St. Jakob in the Walde
Tel.: +43 (0)3336/8237

office@orthofer.at
www.orthofer.at