Hoamat path Hofkirchen

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 9,3 km

Time 2:30 h

Uphill 250 hm

Downhill 250 hm

Highest point 494 m

An easily walkable circular trail , which begins at the beautiful Filialkirche in St. Stefan in Hofkirchen. At the end of the village you can visit the "Reichlkapelle" and the "Stefansbrunnen".

An easy and mostly shady circular hike from St. Stefan near Hofkirchen in the apple country. You will also pass by a fish pond where you can visit a biotope. On a part of the way in the forest you are accompanied by information boards about forest & game.

In the middle of the trail you will reach the Ballonhotel Thaller- a paradise for every child. A huge playground, a petting zoo and mini horses make children's eyes light up. So this easy hike is also recommended for families.

The Gothic Filialkirche St. Stefan bei Hofkirchen - municipality Kaindorf bei Hartberg - is a unique jewel of sacral art in Eastern Styria.

Best season

January

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More information

ApfelLand is located in the heart of Eastern Styria, about 60 km northeast of Graz and about 140 km south of Vienna.

By carComing from Vienna:Via the Südautobahn (A2) to the Hartberg exit - via Bundesstraße (B54) in the direction of Kaindorf/Graz, approx. 1km to Kaindorf, turn right after the OMV gas station, 3 km to Hofkirchen.

From Salzburg/ Germany: Phyrnautobahn A9 to Graz, continue in the direction of Vienna on the A2 to Gleisdorf West, continue on the B54 in the direction of Hartberg/Vienna until shortly before Kaindorf, turn left to Hofkirchen.

Parking lot St. Stefan

The starting point is the village of St. Stefan, you start in a westerly direction. At the end of the village, over a bridge, you can visit the Stefansbrunnen and the Reichlkapelle. The circular trail continues along the road, you pass a fish pond with a biotope and arrive at Moihöf.

Now the trail climbs a bit through shady forest (information boards on the topic of game and forest) to the Irrbrunnen fountain. Then continue to the hill and enjoy the magnificent view to the famous Ringwarte and down into the Pöllauertal. Another short climb along a forest path leads to the Ballonhotel near the elementary school.

At the hotel you will find a playground and a petting zoo. Follow the markings to the right in a southerly direction, cross the road twice and you will reach a long and almost flat forest and meadow path. Passing orchards, you come to a crossroads, always following the markings. A short forest section later you reach the Höller farm and come back to the road with a view of Kaindorf, the pilgrimage church of Pöllauberg and St. Anna.

Via a forest path back to the starting point in St. Stefan. Here a children's playground invites you to rest for the very last time.

Important telephone numbers:

Euronotruf: 112

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140 (if possible please give GPS data)

Rescue: 144

Fire department: 122

Police 133

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

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

Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wildlife is especially active during this time.Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts & Co have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any trash in the forest.Camping and making fire - is strictly forbidden in the forest!Basically, each person is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day in the forest for personal use. It is only forbidden if the forest owner expressly prohibits it.

Backpack with water bottle/thermos flask and provisions

Mountain / hiking boots

Appropriate clothing - preferably several layers - "onion principle" on cool days: long hiking pants, do not forget gloves: Headgear, sunglassesrain protection, seat pad

Hiking sticks

cell phone

First aid kit

Route description, detailed plan of the hike/hiking map/GPS device

Before the start of the hike, check the possibilities for refreshments, including opening times, or pack the appropriate food and drink

Gothic church in St. StefanWomen's cave

Timetables and information can be found at the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) or at www.busbahnbim.at.

Information about the region, places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays, excursion destinations, etc., you can find out:

Eastern Styria Tourist Board

Office ApfelLand-Stubenbergsee

8223 Stubenberg at the lake 5

Tel. :+43 3176 8882