Hans Kloepfer Path

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 17,9 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 780 hm

Downhill 232 hm

Highest point 1200 m

The route follows the two famous poems by Kloepfer, “Dahoam” as far as Laaken and “Da Ruß” as far as Wiel.

Dr. Hans Kloepfer is one of Styria’s most significant poets. His connection to his home town of Eibiswald remains ever-present, and many of his dialect poems in *Joahrlauf* are set in the Eibiswald area. Starting from Wies-Eibiswald railway station, the route passes the old St Veit chapel on its way to Eibiswald. Passing the Kreuzkirche and the long-distance hiking signpost, the trail leads through the “Stille Tal” to Aichberg. Passing the Höchwirth Chapel and the Buchenberg viewing platform, the trail reaches St. Oswald, where the decision is made whether to follow the “gefangenen Ruß” trail into the Wiel valley or to take the path back to Wies.

Best season

January

February

March

April

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June

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October

November

December

More information

Coming from Graz via the A9, take the A2 towards Klagenfurt at the Graz-West motorway junction. Take the Lieboch exit and follow the B76 towards Lannach-Deutschlandsberg-Bad Schwanberg-Styeregg-Wies.

Hans Kloepfer schildert den Heimweg eines Laakener Bauern vom Grazer Fetzenmarkt. Ausgehend vom Bahnhof Wies-Eibiswald verläuft er vorbei am alten Kircherl St.Veit nach Eibiswald (Kloepfermuseum und Pfarrkirche - urk.1170, erbaut 1678), dem Endpunkt des NORD-SÜD Weitwanderwegs 05 und dem Beginn des steirischen Mariazellerwegs 06 (1 Stunde Gehzeit).Vorbei an der Kreuzkirche und am Weitwanderwegstein führt der Weg durch das „Stille Tal“ nach Aichberg. Dort sorgt der Buschenschank Garber mit Aussichtsturm für angenehme Rast und grandiose Rundblicke. Vorbei an der Höchwirthkapelle und der Aussichtsplattform Buchenberg erreicht der Weg St. Oswald (Pfarrkirche: urk. 1373, erbaut 1728) (2 1/2 Stunden Gehzeit), wo die Entscheidung fällt, dem Weg des „gefangenen Ruß“ in die Wiel (Pfarrkirche 1545) zu folgen (1 1/4 Stunden Gehzeit) oder wieder den Weg retour nach Wies zu nehmen.

The museum in the Kloepferhaus is a miniature general museum, showcasing the local prehistory, rural life and work in south-west Styria, as well as Koralpenglas and steel production.

Many starting points for our hikes in southern Styria can also be reached by public transport.

For a relaxed and sustainable journey, we recommend travelling by bus and train wherever possible. Depending on the region, additional local transport options are available.

This allows you to start your tour stress-free while also contributing to climate and nature conservation.

All information on public transport, local mobility services and timetables can be found at: www.suedsteiermark.com/arrival

The nearest railway station is in Wies/Eibiswald.

There is ample parking available at Wies-Eibiswald station.

Information offices:

Eibiswald Tourist Office, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730 120, 8552 Eibiswald, Eibiswald 82

South Styria Tourist Association, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, Hauptplatz 40
www.suedsteiermark.com