Pluto Circular Trail

Accessible by public transport

Train (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)
Hiking taxi

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 3,7 km

Time 1:30 h

Uphill 106 hm

Downhill 106 hm

Highest point 531 m

The Pluto Circular Trail explores the gentle landscape around Köflach and Piber. The easy route passes pastures, Kampl Outlying Farm and Piber Stud Farm before returning to Therme NOVA.

The Pluto Circular Trail starts at Therme NOVA by Dechantteich and leads through mixed woodland, meadows and pastures towards Piber Stud Farm. Along the way, there are views of Kampl Outlying Farm, where young foals spend their first months after being separated from their mothers. After a short descent, the route reaches the paved road and the stud farm.

The trail then continues through the forest and between Lipizzaner pastures to Wilhelm Outlying Farm. Young stallions may be seen here from mid-September to early June. The route then follows a familiar section back to Therme NOVA. This easy circular trail is suitable for hiking, Nordic walking and running.

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 around 450 m, turn right onto Piberstraße (L345). Therme NOVA Köflach is about 900 m further on.
Parking is available at the Kurpark by Dechantteich

The tour starts at Therme NOVA by Dechantteich. Passing the secondary school, follow Schachnerweg and then enter the mixed forest. The trail follows the edge of the forest with views of Kampl Outlying Farm, the young foal facility of the Piber Stud Farm, before continuing through meadows and pastures.

After a short downhill section, the route reaches a paved road. Piber Stud Farm is located opposite. Turn left and follow the road for about 300 m, then turn left onto a gravel trail through the forest. The gently uphill trail leads to the Lipizzaner pastures.

At the edge of the forest, keep left and follow the trail to Wilhelm Outlying Farm. Young stallions may be seen here from mid-September to early June. Continue along the paved road towards the forest. After about 500 m, turn right onto the familiar forest trail, which leads back to Therme NOVA. The route is signposted in a counter-clockwise direction.

Hiking or mountain boots, hiking poles if needed
Daypack with rain cover
Water bottle, lunch box and snacks
Light rain poncho and/or umbrella
Sun protection
First-aid kit
Mobile phone/GPS device

Visit the Piber Stud Farm, look out for the young stallions at Wilhelm Outlying Farm, and enjoy the café terrace and children’s playground at the stud farm.

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.

Timetable: www.oebb.at und www.verbundlinie.at

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