Maestoso circular trail

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 11,0 km

Time 3:00 h

Uphill 250 hm

Downhill 250 hm

Highest point 539 m

Woodland trails, open meadows and panoramic views from the Heiligen Berg: the Maestoso Circular Trail connects Köflach, Bärnbach and the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Piber.

The Maestoso Circular Trail starts at Therme NOVA by Dechantteich and initially leads through the forest towards the Heiligen Berg in Bärnbach. The varied woodland trail climbs steadily to the highest point of the route at 539 m. At the Heiligen Berg, the church, monastery and Holy Sepulchre Chapel provide a peaceful stop, while the hill offers wide views across the Lipizzanerheimat.

The route then descends through the forest and continues through Bärnbach towards the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Piber. The trail passes meadows and pastures, the stud farm and Piber Castle before continuing to Buschenschank Schachner. Via the Wilhelm outlying farm, where young stallions can be seen depending on the season, the route leads through the forest back to the starting point at Therme NOVA.

The easy circular trail is suitable for hiking, Nordic walking and running. There are several opportunities for refreshments and sightseeing along the route.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Car:
Take the A2 motorway to the Mooskirchen exit. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the B70 towards Köflach. In Köflach, continue straight through the first roundabout, then keep right towards the town centre after about 200 m. After another 450 m, turn right onto Piberstraße (L345). The Therme NOVA Köflach is about 900 m further on.

The tour starts at Therme NOVA by Dechantteich. Passing the secondary school and following Schachnerweg, the route reaches Piberstraße. After crossing the road, continue along Kreuzbergweg, past a chapel and into the mixed forest. After around 2 km, a short steeper section leads past an old farmstead and across a clearing towards the Heiligen Berg.

The trail reaches the paved road and continues uphill to the highest point of the tour at 539 m above sea level. After visiting the Heiligen Berg, follow the paved road back to the car park and then return to the familiar forest trail. At the junction, follow the signs downhill to the right. Cross the Langensackbach on a small footbridge and pass the ESV Bärnbach grounds before reaching Karrellystraße.

Continue towards Piber along the paved cycle and pedestrian path. At the edge of Bärnbach, a narrow meadow trail leads between fields to the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Piber. Pass the car park with views of the stud farm and Piber Castle, then follow the gently uphill paved road to a junction and turn left into the forest.

The trail continues through mixed woodland to Buschenschank Schachner. From there, follow the paved road to the Wilhelm outlying farm. Depending on the season, young stallions can be seen here. After around 500 m, turn back into the forest and follow the familiar section to Therme NOVA. The route is signposted in one direction, counter-clockwise.

Maestoso is one of the six classical stallion lines of the Lipizzaner breeding programme in Piber. A visit to the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Piber and the Heiligen Berg with its church, monastery and Holy Sepulchre Chapel is well worth it. The hill offers wide panoramic views and is considered a special place of tranquillity.

Bus & train:
Take the S-Bahn to Köflach railway station, then walk approx. 1.2 km to Therme NOVA. Alternatively, take RegioBus 702 to Köflach Therme Nova, or RegioBus 714, 721 (via Hitzendorf) or 720 (via Lieboch) to Köflach Sparkasse/Hauptplatz, followed by a walk of approx. 800 m.

Information & time tables: www.oebb.at and www.verbundlinie.at

Parking is available at the Kurpark by Dechantteich

Free hiking map and information:
Graz Region Tourist Board
Herrengasse 16, 8010 Graz
T: +43 316 80750, info@regiongraz.at

Graz Region Information Office Lipizzanerheimat
Rathausplatz 2
8580 Köflach, Austria
T: +43 3144 727770, lipizzanerheimat@regiongraz.at