The ninth stage of the Styrian Iron Trail leads from St. Peter-Freienstein to Niklasdorf via the trail of mining history. The highest point of the trail in this stage is the Himberger Eck at 1,345 meters.
ERZBERG LEOBEN ADVENTURE REGION. The starting point of today’s 9th stage of the Styrian Iron Trail is the municipal office of St. Peter-Freienstein. From here we cross the village with a light morning routine, we pass the Freiensteinerhof, where we reinforce ourselves with a good regional breakfast. Then we cross the Vordernbergerbach and at the next intersection we turn left and we are already at the beginning of the Lower Tollinggraben.
Historic mountain way
We constantly walk uphill on a dirt road until we reach the Organic farm and the Buschenschank Apfelmaier scope. The cozy guest garden is literally calling us! We look for a place and strengthen ourselves with a carefully prepared Brettljause for the next stretch. With renewed energy we set out and walk through flowering meadows up to Barbarakapelle. Our road takes us past one old tram, a so-called hunt – as the information board tells us. We are thrilled to read more about this historical relic and are thrilled to see what else the path has in store for us.
–It then continues uphill to a bar and into the woods. The trees provide cool shade. At the next intersection we keep to the left and follow the red-white-red signs. Now it is condition requiredbecause it continually rises towards Himberger Eck. After a steep climb we reach the summit at 1,345 meters above sea level and therefore the highest point of the day. A little breathless, we sit down for a moment, take the bottle from the backpack and enjoy the beautiful one in the background of the Hochschwab region – what a view!
–Descent with a view
We stop a little longer before leaving the summit behind and descend on steep paths and forest roads. We always enjoy the view of the impressive landscape. We pass the Freudenthaler Peace, reach a forest road intersection and leave the road here. Continue downhill along the path up to Cross saddle. From here it continues with slight ups and downs Richtung Veitsberg. Shortly after, through the access road to a single-family house, we arrive at a crossroads where we turn right along a forest road in the direction of Problem stroll.
Almost done!
Our way through the forest takes us beyond the Johanneskapelle – one Relic of the mining days – which has been here for over 100 years. We will take a short break and have a drink before tackling the last kilometers of today’s stage. Through a wide path you then meet an asphalted road, follow it downhill and we are already in the middle of the community Problem. Civilization has given us back!
–We continue walking straight over the Murbrücke to the main road, where we reach our destination for the day after about a kilometer: das Hotel Brücklwirt in Niklasdorf. Proud of having mastered this phase so well, we quickly take our backpacks to the room and then enjoy a delicious dinner in the beautiful garden.
The ninth stage in numbers
- Difficulty: medium
- Distance: 24.1 kilometers
- Duration: 7:25 hours
- Difference in altitude: 880 meters in altitude
- Descent: 980 meters in altitude
- Highest point: 1,345 meters above sea level
- Lowest point: 510 meters above sea level
Here are the previous stages of the Styrian Iron Trail:
Promising routes and urban style
Along the Green Lake to Vordernberg
From the Leopoldsteinersee to the Hochschwab massif
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