Kraftstein | © Margret Orthofer Kraftstein | © Margret Orthofer

Emperor Karl circular hiking trail

Open
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.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness
Experience
Scenery

Best season

January
February
March
November
December

The tour in numbers

easy
Level of difficulty
5,8 km
Route
2:00 h
Time
177 hm
Uphill
177 hm
Downhill
1159 m
Highest point
982 m
Lowest point

Map & downloads

More information

Aus Wien über A2 bis Ausfahrt Friedberg und B54 nach Rohrbach ~ von Graz über A2 bis Ausfahrt Rohrbach – Vorau, danach bis Rohrbach und weiter nach Waldbach und St. Jakob/W. Vom Ort St. Jakob/W kommt nach ca. 2 km in Richtung Ratten rechts die Abzweigung GH Orthofer und Jogllandloipe.

Von der S6 Ausfahrt Krieglach über das Alpl nach Ratten und Richtung St. Jakob/W. Die Anfahrt geht bis ca. 2 km vor dem Ort St. Jakob/W   wo dann links die Abzweigung zum GH Orthofer und zur Jogllandloipe hinweist.

Detaillierte Informationen zur Anreise finden Sie hier.

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

 

ÖBB: www.oebb.at oder Verbundlinie Steiermark: www.busbahnbim.at

Mit der BusBahnBim App der Verbundlinie ist eine Fahrplanauskunft so einfach wie noch nie: Alle Verbindungen mit Bus, Bahn und Straßenbahn in Österreich können durch die Eingabe von Orten und/oder Adressen, Haltestellen bzw. wichtigen Punkten abgefragt werden. Erhältlich ist die App als Gratis-App für Smartphones (Android, iOS) – auf Google Play und im App Store

Parkplätze beim Gasthof Orthofer

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

 

 

Gallery

What the weather will be like

St. Jakob im Walde (927m)

Morning
16°C
5%
5 km/h
Noon
20°C
15%
10 km/h
Night
15°C
60%
5 km/h
Sunny in the morning, but increasingly cloudy during the day. Showers will be possible towards evening.
Morning
11°C
5%
5 km/h
Noon
15°C
0%
10 km/h
Night
13°C
0%
5 km/h
The day starts sunny, but will be partly cloudy in the afternoon.
04.06.2023
9°C 17°C
05.06.2023
10°C 18°C
06.06.2023
11°C 18°C
GenussCard Steiermark | © Thermen- und Vulkanland Steiermark, Harald Eisenberger

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