Turnersteig 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 11,3 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 559 hm

Downhill 102 hm

Highest point 977 m

The Turnersteig Trail, also known as the “7 Kreuzerl Weg”, climbs from Therme NOVA through the wooded landscape around Köflach to Gasthaus Eckwirt at around 900 m above sea level.

The Turnersteig Trail passes through the varied landscape around Köflach, with the Wilhelm Outlying Farm of Piber Stud Farm, Schachner Tavern, small chapels, wayside shrines and historic farmsteads along the route. The trail mainly leads through woodland and meadows, with gentle climbs along the way.

The name Turnersteig dates back to the 1920s, when several gymnastics clubs were active in and around Köflach. Their members had a strong connection with nature and hiking. Trail no. 545 was named Turnersteig in their honour.

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.

The trail starts at Therme NOVA by Dechantteich. Passing the secondary school and following Schachnerweg, continue along the paved road to Wilhelm Outlying Farm, where the Lipizzaner stallions spend their younger years outside the summer months. Continue along the road to Schachner Tavern.

From there, follow the paved road to a farmstead, where trail no. 545 turns right into the forest. The route continues through a beautiful beech forest, with views opening up along the way. After about 4.5 km, you reach the former Rössler Inn.

Continue along the paved road until the marked trail 545 branches right onto a gravel road. The route then follows gravel and meadow paths to Gasthaus Eckwirt. After around 11.5 km, you reach the highest point of the tour.

The return journey can easily be arranged with the flux shared taxi (www.flux.at)

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

Chapels and wayside shrines along the route invite you to pause. A stop at Schachner Tavern or Gasthaus Eckwirt is a good option.

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.

Timetables: 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