Round Pöllau via Buchkogel, Rabenwald and Gschaid, Pöllau

• Starting from the center of Pöllau or the castle park (signpost east of the Parkcafe), head south through Lamberggasse or Remigigasse and follow the red-white-red trail no. 944 towards GH Schirnhofer - Stubenberg, where you will also pass the observation tower in Haidenwald.
• On this section of the hike (always marked red-white-red no. 944) we reach the Freibergerhöhe weather cross.
• Now we follow the white-blue-white markings no. 1 northwards over the Buchkogel or - as a less strenuous alternative - over the Krämer family estate with its magnificent view.
• At the TV transmitter, we cross the Pöllau - Stubenberg country road and then come to the Schwaigkreuz.

Schwaigkreuz - detour to the Rabenwald summit - Stöss

• From the Schwaigkreuz, we head half left in a northerly direction following the red-white-red markings no. 922
• (Alternative: if you want to shorten this hike, take the 922 marker on the right back to Pöllau)
• After the hunting lodge, we can make a detour to the 1280 m high Rabenwald summit, the highest mountain in the Pöllau Valley Nature Park.
• Follow the signs for this detour. From the Rabenwald summit, we follow the "Anger" signpost along a path between rocks and then descend steeply back to path no. 922. This alpine path heading north leads us steadily downhill over the "Spielstatt" to the viewpoint with a weather cross.
• We continue to follow the markings and come to the red-white-red marking no. 921 at the Gschaider Kögerln above the farm of the Lehrhofer family, vulgo "Stöss".

Stöss - Gschaid Sattel - Grottenstüberl - Pöllauer

• Following the red-white-red markings no. 921, we reach the main road and the Gschaid Sattel.
• From the Gschaid we follow the white-blue-white (no. 2) marked route down the valley towards Pöllau until we reach the estate of the Almer family, vulgo Toni auf der Wiesen.
• We now head south towards Pöllau, keeping to the yellow-blue markings no. 3 and no. 2, past Hotel Gruber, via Hinterbrühl to the Almbauer mill/bakery.
• The Ortenhofenstraße leads us back to the starting point in the castle park or the center of Pöllau.

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

The trail is easy to walk and therefore suitable for the whole family. Correct behaviour when hiking: Rules of behaviour when hiking

A few tips on correct and fair behaviour 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 rubbish in the forest.
• Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!
• In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2kg 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
• Mobile phone
• Small first aid kit
• Route description
• Before starting the hike, check where you can stop for refreshments, including opening times, or pack suitable provisions.

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

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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.