Sankt Georgen: Church History and Hiking Trails

Sankt Georgen combines a remarkable church history with hiking trails that reach the village from different directions. According to the relevant ordinance, the Catholic subsidiary church of St. Georgen am Gasenbach is a protected historic monument. For travelers who want to combine culture and outdoor activity, the village offers a clear focus: explore historical evidence and then include a hike with Sankt Georgen as the destination or a section of the route in your plans.

Church and Local History

Until 1788, the church of Sankt Georgen am Gasenbach was the parish church of Koglhof. The parish of St. Georgen am Gasenbach has been documented since 1295. The former cemetery of the subsidiary church is protected by the same ordinance as the church. The building's history already points to the importance of the village: the construction of the church in Sankt Georgen marked the beginning of the clearing and settlement of the municipality of Koglhof and the upper Feistritz Valley.

The history of education is also connected with Sankt Georgen. The first lessons for children in Koglhof took place at the parish house in Sankt Georgen. The rectory was located a considerable distance from the church. Another historical detail leads to Koglhof: the unsigned “Schwarz” organ from the 18th century, which now stands in the Koglhof church, was originally installed in the subsidiary church of St. Georgen. Anyone interested in churches, regional development, and past everyday life will find several points of connection here rather than just a single building.

Hiking Trails with Different Starting Points

The Birkfeld–St. Georgen hike leads from Birkfeld to Sankt Georgen and back to Birkfeld. It begins at the former railway station in Birkfeld and crosses the Gasenbach over a bridge. During the hike, there is an opportunity to stop for refreshments at the Gasthaus Grünbichler in Sankt Georgen. The route can therefore be viewed as an excursion with a return journey to Birkfeld, while Sankt Georgen forms an important section of the trail.

A second option is the Koglhof Genusswanderweg. It follows Trail Number 15 in the direction of Sankt Georgen. The trail runs along the Stations of the Cross, descending to the village center and the church, and then continues to the starting point at the summer toboggan run. The Genusswanderweg reaches Sankt Georgen, where the oldest church in the upper Feistritz Valley is located. This gives you different reference points for planning your day: Birkfeld, with the former railway station as the starting point for a hike there and back, or Koglhof, with Trail Number 15, the Stations of the Cross, and the center of Sankt Georgen.

Choose Sankt Georgen as Your Holiday Destination

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sankt Georgen, you can base your choice on your preferred travel theme. The listed subsidiary church and the area's documented history make it suitable for a culturally focused stay. The Birkfeld–St. Georgen hike and the Koglhof Genusswanderweg complement this focus with specific routes through the region. This leaves the planning open to both a relaxing day of culture and a hike with Sankt Georgen as an important destination.

For further comparison, you can also view Aschau, Ratten, Brand, Hofstätten An Der Raab, Naintsch, Mitterdorf an der Raab, Miesenbach Bei Birkfeld and Strallegg.

For the overarching travel overview: Weiz.