Buchkogel round, Pöllau

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 20,3 km

Time 6:30 h

Uphill 850 hm

Downhill 850 hm

Highest point 1101 m

The scenically very varied hike provides an insight into the biodiversity of the region ...

Starting from Pöllau Castle Park, this longer circular trail takes you past the Wetterkreuz, Schwaigkreuz, the Buchkogel summit cross and the Wetterkreuz Freiberger Höhe. This hike also impresses with its many viewpoints: not only of the village of Pöllau with the castle ensemble around the "Styrian St. Peter's Cathedral" and the Pöllauberg pilgrimage church enthroned above it, but also with good views of the Hochwechsel in Joglland and beyond Hartbergerland to the border with Hungary.

Best season

January

February

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December

More information

Pöllau, Castle park

The Pöllau Valley Nature Park is located in the heart of Eastern Styria, the garden of Austria, approx. 60 km north-east of Graz and approx. 150 km south of Vienna

By car from Vienna

If you are driving from Vienna to Pöllau bei Hartberg, take the A2 towards Graz and drive about 110 kilometres until you reach the Hartberg exit. From there, follow the B54 in the direction of Pöllau.

By car from Graz

To get to Pöllau bei Hartberg from Graz, take the A2 motorway in the direction of Vienna. After about 30 kilometres, take the Gleisdorf West exit and then take the B54 towards Hartberg/Pöllau. Follow the B54 for about 25 kilometres until you reach Pöllau.

By car from Salzburg

To get to Pöllau bei Hartberg from Salzburg, take the A1 motorway towards Vienna. Drive about 110 kilometres to exit 109 (Salzburg junction). There change to the A9 motorway in the direction of Graz. At St. Michael, follow the S6 towards Kapfenberg. Continue on the S6 until the Krieglach exit. From there, take the B72 and then the L405 to Pöllau.

Pöllau, Castle Park
P&R at the Pöllau bypass

Starting from the castle (town center), we reach Julius-Meinl-Straße at the "Schreiner" junction (former inn), where we come across the red-white-red marking no. 922, which will accompany us westwards up to the Schwaigkreuz.
Here we turn left and follow the white-blue-white markings no. 1.
We come to the "Panoramablick" signpost. It is worth taking the 100 m detour to the weather cross on the Leitenbauerhöhe.
Now we continue along the hiking trail marked no. 1 to the Jochbauer Höhe, where we have two options.
Either we hike over the Buchkogel with the summit cross or just below the Buchkogel with its magnificent view.
Both routes lead to the Freiberger Höhe with its weather cross and rest area. From the Freiberger Höhe we hike downhill, following the red-white-red markings no. 944, via GH Schirnhofer to Pöllau.

Important telephone numbers:

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

The trail is easy to walk and therefore suitable for the whole family.

Tips for even more hiking fun: Rules of conduct when hiking

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

Hikers should avoid visiting the forest approx. 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active at this time.
Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any garbage in the forest.
Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!
In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Small backpack with water bottle (+ provisions)
Sturdy shoes
Appropriate clothing - preferably several layers - "onion principle"
Rain and sun protection
Hiking poles as required
Cell phone
Small first aid kit
Route description

Before starting the hike, check where you can stop for refreshments, including opening times, or pack suitable food and drink.

We particularly recommend this tour because of the magnificent views of the Pöllau Valley on the one hand and the ApfelLand Stubenbergsee on the other.

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.
For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark. HF5943 Pöllau Schlosszwinger

Information about the region, places to stop and stay, excursion destinations etc. can be found here:

Eastern Styria Tourist Board
Nature Park Pöllauer Valley office
Schloss 1
8225 Pöllau, Austria
Phone: +43 3335 4210
www.naturpark-poellauertal.at
www.oststeiermark.com

Current weather
Mobility Eastern Styria with SAM shared cab

Kompass Map, Hiking Map Nature Park Pöllauer Valley 1:30,000

Find out about maps, hiking brochures and other tour tips at the tourist office. You can also order information material on our website from the comfort of your own home.
Rother hiking guide "Oststeiermark - Von den Fischbacher Alpen bis in die Thermenregion", 50 tours, Elisabeth Zienitzer & Silvia Sarcletti paperback, ISBN-10, 376334577 available in bookshops