Stage 5: Path of 100,000 Steps, St. Kathrein - Kreuzwirt Inn

This hike around the "Passailer Kessel" is an idea of the Kath. Männerbewegung Passail and was also planned and implemented by them. The six sections are designed in such a way that after each day's stage there is an opportunity to stop for a break or overnight stay. The stages run mainly along designated Alpine Club paths and were also marked with their own signposts. The small boards represent the colours of the hiked communities Fladnitz an der Teichalm (gold), Passail (blue) and St. Kathrein am Offenegg (red).

The trail starts in Arzberg, leads up to the Schöckl and on to the Rechberg. From there it goes via the Nechnitz up to the Teichalm, via the Osser up to the Sommeralm and via the Brandlucken to St. Kathrein am Offenegg. The last two stages then lead over the Patscha down into the Weizklamm gorge before returning to Arzberg via the Gösser and Große Raabklamm gorges.

This 5th stage leads through the beautiful flower village of St. Kathrein am Offenegg out to the Patscha saddle, which is especially known for its magnificent "3 churches view" - from the Passailer Kessel over the Sommeralm to St. Kathrein.

Start: St. Kathrein am Offenegg; Kathreinerhaus From the centre of St. Kathrein, walk a few steps north ("Oberhollerbach") and then follow the "Vogelbeer-Panoramaweg" markings uphill to the right. The well-marked "Vogelbeer-Panoramaweg" with several stations leads past the Schwoaghofer pond and ends at the municipal road; a detour down to the right to the Graf Distillery or the Spreitzhofer Inn is recommended. Turn left up the municipal road and walk through the "Ringbauer"/Family Schwaiger homestead in the direction of Eibisberg (path no. 11), if you wish, walk a little further uphill and you will then reach the Eibisberg shelterjust before you reach the municipal road again, the path to "Gschaid" turns off to the right (path no. 745/21) Descend through the forest to the chapel in the district of Gschaid (here it is possible to take a detour down to the Patscha hikers' hut for a break) At the chapel, trail no. 745a leads up to the Patscha summit, at 1,271 metres the highest point of the tour The further trail (trail nos. 745a & 763a) leads out to Patscha-Sattel (or Patscha-Nase) with a magnificent panoramic view of the Weizklamm gorge over the Passailer Kessel and the Sommeralm as far as St. Kathrein From the Patscha-Sattel walk back towards St. Kathrein along the path (path no. 763) to the junction Kogl/Greith - Gschaid/Eibisberg - St. Kathreinfrom here walk slightly downhill to the left until you reach the "Riegl" junction After about 1 km you reach the farm of the Wumbauer family vlg. Seppl in Riegl Here you leave the municipal road at a right angle, past the Wumbauer farm, and follow the markings (trail no. 21). After an increasingly steep meadow path you reach the forest, then the path descends steeply in serpentines After reaching the municipal road, the trail leads out to the right to the Kreuzwirt inn at the entrance to the Weizklamm gorge.

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You can find all information about the journey here.