Christmetten Circuit, St. Kathrein am Hauenstein

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 14,6 km

Time 5:00 h

Uphill 660 hm

Downhill 660 hm

Highest point 1167 m

A leisurely hike in the footsteps of Peter Rosegger in the heart of the Waldheimat region—in St. Kathrein am Hauenstein.

In his story "In der Christnacht" from the famous book "Als ich noch der Waldbauernbub war" ("When I was still a forest farmer's boy"), the Styrian poet Peter Rosegger describes his first walk to Christmas mass from the Kluppeneggerhof down to St. Kathrein am Hauenstein. The Rosegger family walked this path every Christmas Eve, often in stormy weather and driving snow. It is still walked today in memory of the great son of the Waldheimat at Christmas on a guided hike. This Christmas Eve hike attracts numerous visitors every year on Christmas Eve.

In addition to Peter Rosegger's beloved church, there is also an exhibition in the village of St. Kathrein am Hauenstein dedicated to the life of the poet.

The path is marked with boards with the inscription Christmettenweg. Forests and beautiful vantage points alternate with each other, and culinary stops must not be missed in Styria, of course.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

The municipality lies in the valley of the Hirschbach, a tributary of the Feistritz, in the Fischbach Alps and is part of Peter Rosegger's Waldheimat. It covers an area of 19.25 square kilometers. Of this, 40 percent is agricultural land and 55 percent is forested.

By car:
From Vienna: via the A2 Südautobahn highway and the S6 Semmering expressway to the Krieglach exit. From Graz via Weiz and Birkfeld to St. Kathrein am Hauenstein.

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

St. Kathrein am Hauenstein, parking spaces directly in the village, at the parish church and at the inns (free)

We start the hike on a hill near the parish church of St. Kathrein am Hauenstein.
In a bend we turn right and hike along the Hirschbach stream until we reach a sawmill
We follow the stream uphill until we come to two long hairpin bends.
Continue until you reach the Hochegger farm and a memorial cross (1126m).
Via a forest path we go further downhill to the Lendkreuz (1044m)
From the Lendkreuz we go uphill again over a road, past the Schmiedhofer homestead.
Along the hiking trail we go to the house where Peter Rosegger was born (1144m).
The descent via the circular path is partly steeper and leads past the forest school.
From the forest school it goes again slightly uphill in an easterly direction over the Großheidenbauer past the Schlagobersbauer inn.
At a crossroads we turn sharply to the left - in a few minutes we reach the Alpl federal road
Before we get to the main road, we turn right in the last curve of the gravel road
Now we are on a forest road
Follow this forest road until you reach the Roseggerhof Inn (+43 3173 2711).
Passing the Roseggerhof inn, a few meters below, a goods road begins, which we follow to the parking lot of the cemetery in St. Kathrein am hauenstein
From the parking lot it is possible to walk directly into the village of St. Kathrein am Hauenstein via the parish church (asphalted road next to the main road).

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.

Every year on December 24, a hike is held along the Christmettenweg in memory of the great local poet - you have to experience it!

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie. For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.
-> Stop number: WZ 4210 St. Kathrein/H.-Ort

You can find information about the region, places to stop and stay overnight, excursion destinations, etc. here:

Eastern Styria Tourism Association
Joglland-Waldheimat office
8255 St. Jakob im Walde
Tel.: 03336/20255
www.joglland.at
www.oststeiermark.com
Current weather

Gemeinde St. Kathrein am Hauenstein
Tel.: +43 3173 4030
gde@st-kathrein-hauenstein.steiermark.at www.st-kathrein-hauenstein.at

Folder Christmettenweg

Mobility Eastern Styria with shared taxi SAM 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.