Pöllau - Gleichweit nursery
We start from the castle park to the south through the park, where we join Ziegelofengasse and come to the red-white-red marker no. 923, which will accompany us to the right up to Jochbauerhöhe, past the school center and cemetery, and after the Rabenwald information board straight ahead along the L432 road to the Gleichweit nursery.
Gleichweit nursery - Halthansl (Ringhofer)
From the asphalt road, turn left into the forest at the nursery. Over a small bridge, slightly uphill, there is a small meadow on the left-hand side. Before following trail no. 923, which climbs steeply to the right, you also have the option of taking a detour across the meadow on the left, following the signs for "Hirschbirnweg" via the Schweighofer "Ziaglpeter" wine tavern. The two paths meet again at the crossroads, 100 m after the "Halthansl" (Ringhofer).Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Halthansl (Ringhofer) - Jochbauer Höhe
We leave the Rabenwalderstraße after approx. 500 m ascent, turn left towards the municipal office and after approx. 40 m turn right, following the markings no. 923 and the Hirschbirnweg. We walk along the edge of the forest, cross the forest and walk along old pear and apple trees to the driveway of the Retter farm. We cross this and walk along the gravel path past a wayside cross and a high seat over a small stream to a cattle pasture. There is a former farm on the left, but we turn right, uphill, along the pastureland, through woodland and after a meadow we reach a wayside shrine and the Heil farm, Rabenwald 97, vulgo Höllmüllner or "Öllerbauer" (direct marketer). Pass the stable building on the right. After a short stretch along the ascending asphalt road, we turn left before entering the forest, briefly along the edge of the meadow and then enter the forest. We then come to a sheep pasture, which is separated by two gates - please always close the gates - to the farm of the Krämer vulgo Jochbauer family. After approx. 500 m we reach the "Jochbauerhöhe" with signposts.Marking no. 923 continues to Rubland, but we turn left here in the direction of "Buchkogel" or "Schönauklamm" and stay on the white-blue-white marking no. 1 to Lehen and the GH Schrank.
Jochbauer Höhe - Buchkogel - Freiberger Höhe
We cross this road and follow the white-blue-white markings no. 1 southwards. After a beautiful mixed forest, we come to a road through a sloping hollow path, partly bordered by a stone wall. We cross this and reach the Buchkogel, 907 m (Buchkogel cross with rest area). Continue following the markings to the Freiberger Höhe with a weather cross and rest area. This section of the trail is dotted with twisted trees and small rock formations - natural jewels of a special kind.
Turn-off Eisner Kreuz - GH Schrank
We follow the white-blue-white and white-green-white markings, come to the "Thaller" farm in Hinteregg and after approx. 100 m along a field path past the "Lascherfriedl" farm. After approx. 300 m slightly downhill we reach the GH Schrank, which invites us to stop for refreshments (note the specialty days!). The GH Schrank is known for its large portions - ideal for hikers! Here you can also try your luck at the natural bowling alley.
GH Schrank - Kroisbach
Following the white-green-white markings no. 9 in a northerly direction, approx. 100 m, we branch off to the right. We walk downhill along the asphalt road to the "Buchegger" farm, past the information board of the bird theme trail to the next farm, where we recommend taking a short break on the bench in front of it to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over the Pöllau Valley. Once you reach the farmhouse decorated with flowers, also belonging to the Buchegger family, turn left past the stable building and behind it turn right into the forest, at the end of which you walk steeply downhill past rustic deer pear trees to the Pöllabauer family estate and on to the Kroisbach bridge.
Kroisbach - Berger cross
We keep left and follow the Grabenleitenweg (asphalted road) for approx. 500 m slightly uphill in a northerly direction.
Berger Kreuz - former GH Mauerhofer
From the Kroisbach bus stop, follow the white-green-white and red-white-red markings with the number 945 to Pöllau as far as the former Mauerhofer inn.
GH Mauerhofer - Schroff
At the former Mauerhofer inn, the marked paths go left past the chapel to the edge of the forest, along it briefly and into the forest, where it continues over a narrow bridge and steps, along the forest path until we come to a small embankment, where there is also a signpost "Laufstrecke". Here we turn left into a forest path, which then leads into a short, slightly boggy section of path, over a small bridge to the "Maria Fieberbründl" signpost on the asphalt road. We keep left towards Pöllau (north).
Schroff - Haidenweg - Pöllau
We walk along a gravel road through the Berghofer estate, Hinteregg 111, to a bench just behind the farm with a wayside cross.Past the bench, the path leads us through the Haidenwald forest into the outer settlement area of Pöllau, the Wieden. On the lower Wiedenweg, always following the markings, the trail leads past a masonry shrine and a wayside cross into the village center of Pöllau.