The popular hiking area around the Castle Ruin of Gösting to the Pilgrimage Church in Straßengel offers an exciting little adventure for every hiking novice. Those who love nature should take a closer look at this hiking area because the paths often lead through the forest, and there are many flowers and butterflies to see. But especially for lovers of medieval or gothic buildings, this hike is guaranteed to pay off.
Information about the hike
The hike from Gösting to Judendorf Straßengel and back takes about five hours. The starting and ending point is the castle square Gösting, which can be reached comfortably with the Graz bus lines 40 or 85. If you are travelling by car, parking is available along the Straßengelstraße.
The degree of difficulty is between medium and easy because it is pretty steep in between. You should bring a little bit of endurance. But if you really can't go on, there is always the possibility to return back to Gösting earlier.
I also recommend wearing hiking boots because many paths lead through the middle of the forest, and it can get steep.
A map is not necessary, as everything is well signposted.
Before the hike starts, you can stock up on provisions at the bakery "König" if you haven't brought snacks on your own.
Hike from Gösting to Judendorf Straßengel and back
Starting point: Gösting castle square
Endpoint: Gösting castle square
Length: approx. 12 kilometres
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Level of difficulty: medium
Ruinenweg
Starting point Gösting
The hike to the Pilgrimage Church begins via the Ruinenweg, which starts at the castle square in Gösting. Right at the beginning, it is very steep before the path turns into a gravel road. Everything here is bright green at this time of year, but you also quickly get warm when the weather is nice.
After a while, you come to a crossroads from which you could visit the Cholera Chapel. You can also go and see the Jungfernsprung.
However, you can continue directly to the ruin, for which you need about 30 minutes from the starting point. Unfortunately, the ruins of Gösting, located at an altitude of 600 meters, are still closed at the moment, after walkers allegedly reported a wall collapse on December 27th. So actually, it is sadly not possible to enter the ruins or the terrace where you usually could rest and eat something. But it didn't affect me that much, as I mainly came to find peace in the surrounding nature. The tavern would generally be open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm, by the way.
Gösting Castle Ruin
The ruins of Gösting Castle rise impressively on a rock at the foothills of the Steinkogel. The castle was built there in the 11th century, as you can overlook the entire East Styrian Hill Country from here. At the same time, the chalk fire warning system, with the help of which castles warned each other of enemies, only worked when the different courts in the region were able to see each other.
The castle was repeatedly expanded over the centuries because initially, it consisted only of a chapel and a residential tower.
At the time of the Hungarian and Turkish wars (15th - 16th century), a lightning strike struck the castle, severely damaging it. As a result, the baroque Gösting Castle was built instead of a reconstruction. Much of it is still open for viewing today - at least as soon as the castle reopens its doors to visitors.
Church services are still held in the three-story castle chapel. You can also visit the keep or the castle museum. The observation platform offers a unique view on the roof, where the lookout posts of the guards used to be. You can even see the Schöckl, the highest mountain in the area. Since the castle is closed now, however, you have to be content with the view next to the blocked entrance to the castle ruin - which is nevertheless beautiful.
Ruins of Gösting Castle
View next to the castle ruin
Nature wherever you look
After admiring the castle, you can set off in the direction of St. Annen Bründl.
It is advisable to keep your eyes open on the way, or you will miss quite a lot. Since the forest and trees constantly surround you, you should not forget to admire the wildflower diversity. In addition to the medicinal plants ruprecht-herb and germander speedwell, you will also find the wild chervil - a plant that is coveted by butterflies and bees - as well as the spreading bellflower, with its pretty star shape and purple colouring. The peach-leaved purple bellflower is also very beautiful to see.
Ruprecht-herb
Germander speedwell
Wild chervil
Spreading bellflower
Peach-leaved purple bellflower
If you like butterflies, you would enjoy this hike at this time of the year. I encountered many different butterflies along the way, including the small but magnificent European map butterfly. By the way, this tiny butterfly species feeds on stinging nettles in its caterpillar form, which is why you do it some good if you let stinging nettles grow in your garden instead of removing them.
European map butterfly (Araschnia levana)
St. Annen Bründl
Via the forest road, you finally reach the St. Annen Bründl, located south of Raach near Hohenberg. This beautiful old well source was built in 1964 and still provides fresh water, even in arid times.
The well also offers something for the eye, being very overgrown and surrounded by gentle greenery. I find it has something very peaceful. You can easily take a break here and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere, the fresh air and the trickling water.
Behind the St. Annen-Bründl, a high trail winds as a climb through in a section of forest. The hike continues along this path.
St. Annen Bründl
Trail behind the St. Annen-Bründl
Goldhannwarte
You finally reach a road again, from which you can decide to make a detour to the Frauenkogel. I can warmly recommend this because here, you will also find the Goldhannwarte.
The Goldhannwarte was a lookout tower commissioned by the literary figure and writer Franz Goldhann in 1890, as well as the marked hiking trails to boost tourism in the area. The lookout tower opened in 1892 at a high of 683 meters above sea level on the Frauenkogel. It stood there until it was struck and destroyed by a lightning strike in 1908, just a few years after its opening. After that, they never rebuilt the Goldhannwarte. However, you can still find its remains, which offer an extraordinary sight.
Next to the destroyed observation tower, you still feel small.
Goldhannwarte
Next to the Goldhannwarte, there are also benches and a wooden table, so this is an excellent place to take a rest and eat something if you want.
After visiting the Goldhannwarte, you can follow the signs that point in the direction of Judendorf Straßengel and the Pilgrimage Church. But don't forget to take time to enjoy the view. In addition to dense trees, you will find open spaces to get a good overview of the area. It is better to take time not to miss the beautiful mountain landscapes.
Pilgrimage Church Maria Straßengel
The hike's highlight is the Pilgrimage Church Maria Straßengel, located on a hill, which fits idyllically into the landscape. It is one of the most important sacred buildings of the high gothic period in Austria because of its filigree sandstone tower, its rich architectural sculpture and the original 14th century stained glass windows showing saints, Mary and Christ. The beautiful gothic stained glass windows that bathe the church in mystical light are to marvel. The church had its beginnings in 1346. The tavern, the parsonage and the later added baroque building also belong to the church. The tower reaches 48 meters in height, covered by portrait-like representations of secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries of Mary and seven angels' time and life-size figures.
Attractive for pilgrims is the miraculous image of Mary in the dress of ears of corn (1430 - 1440), as well as the fir tree root cross. Unfortunately, they were both stolen in 1976. The angels on the pulpit's sound cover now hold a replica of the root cross, and a copy replaced the altarpiece. However, the original cross reappeared, and now, for security reasons, you can only see it during church services.
Pilgrimage Church Maria Straßengel
Way back to Gösting
From the cemetery parking lot starts the path I chose to return. A sign points back to the ruins of Gösting via hiking trail 1. If you look back, you can once again admire the Pilgrimage Church.
A little way along the path, a smaller path branches off to the right into the forest in the direction of the Frauenkogel, which very quickly becomes quite steep. Here you find yourself in the middle of nature. Now you follow the path, and at the way forks, signs pointe in the direction of the ruins of Gösting Castle.
Before you get there, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. It's stunning and shows you once again how small you are and how wonderfully big the world is.
After reaching the castle ruins, the trail goes comfortably downhill until you slowly get to the endpoint. You pass more and more houses, and at the bottom, you can easily take the bus lines 40 and 85 back home, if you have not come by car.
I found the hike very good to switch off my mind and come to other thoughts, and as I was going alone, I perceived my environment much more intense. Even when I fell asleep after this day, something changed because instead of stressing and overthinking, images of pleasant green tones and nature played out behind my closed eyelids. So if you are looking for inner peace and tranquillity, I highly recommend a walk in nature, like this one around the ruins of Gösting.
A walk in nature walks the soul back home. – Mary Davis
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