Waldbach - Mönichwald - Festenburg, Waldbach-Mönichwald

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 15,0 km

Time 4:20 h

Uphill 400 hm

Downhill 770 hm

Highest point 1111 m

The eventful hike from the 1111 meter high Arzberg leads you along forest paths to the village of Waldbach. Then it continues to the neighboring village of Mönichwald and to the destination, the Festenburg.

On the Arzberg, the cozy Arzberghütte invites you to a snack. Traditionally, the Solstice celebration also takes place here every year. In the village of Waldbach, another highlight awaits hikers: the Wiedner's Wasserspiele.

Arrived in Mönichwald, there is also a lot to see, as the community is a member of the Styrian Flower Route (Most Beautiful Flower Village of Styria 1983 and 2007, European Flower Village 1984). Flower enthusiasts get their money's worth especially in the park with the flower peacock.

This tour also has a very interesting destination with the Festenburg.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

By car:
From Graz: via the A2 to the Hartberg exit, then B50 and B54 via Grafendorch to Rohrbach; continue via Koglerau and Bruck to Waldbach

From Vienna: via the A2 to the Pinggau exit, then on the B54 towards Hartberg to Rohrbach a. d. Lafnitz; continue via Koglerau and Bruck to Waldbach

Detailed information on how to get here can be found here.
Waldbach-Mönichwald, village of Waldbach (opposite the church), Arzberg hut.

Entrance possibility: car park Freizeitsee Mönichwald

We start at the Arzberg hut
After about 1 hour of walking we reach the Wetterkreuz at a crossroads
From here we continue on the hiking trail no. 915
We turn left
After about 50 meters we cross a field, before we turn right onto a forest road.
We follow the forest road until we reach the municipal road Neudorf
After 500 m we turn left on the Schneebergerweg
Follow this road for about 700 meters and then turn right.
We go along the Arzberggraben and turn left towards Waldbach
After a total of 1.5 hours we are in Waldbach
We walk through the village, cross the Lafnitz river and after a short stretch of forest we reach a farm
There we keep to the left until we reach the bathing lake of Mönichwald.
At the crossroads after the Mönichwalderhof we cross the main road.
We walk along the Lafnitz
After 15 minutes we cross a bridge
We walk uphill and come to the municipal road Riegersberg in the direction of Vorau.
At the first bend we turn left into a forest path
After another 15 minutes we reach the Mostschänke Holzer (opening hours: mid-May to mid-August)
There we cross the main road and turn right.
Continue until you reach the Festenbug elementary school and turn left into Bergstraße.
We follow the road until we take a steep path and hike up to Festenburg Castle

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.

Especially at the starting point, at the summit of the Arzberg, you can enjoy a magnificent view all the way to Burgenland, Hungary and over the entire Wechsel region!

For all fitness enthusiasts, a varied fitness program awaits along the trail after the farm in the Mönichwald municipal area.

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

Community Waldbach

Tel.: 03336/4410

gde@waldbach.steiermark.at

www.waldbach.steiermark.at

Community Mönichwald

Tel.: 03336/4478

gde@moenichwald.steiermark.at

www.moenichwald.at

Hiking, skiing and cycling tour map Joglland-Waldheimat Scale: 1:50,000 available from the Joglland Waldheimat tourist office Hiking map Mönichwald available from the municipal office in Mönichwald