Sankt Jakob Im Walde: Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing and Culture

Sankt Jakob im Walde lies in Joglland at just under 1,000 m above sea level. Different interests can influence the choice of destination: hiking, cross-country skiing, visiting an exhibition or exploring cultural sites. In Sankt Jakob im Walde, these interests can be distinguished by looking at specific offerings—from trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels to a seasonally oriented cross-country skiing area and historic landmarks.

Outdoor activities

Sankt Jakob im Walde has an extensive network of themed and circular hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. When choosing a route, you can weigh up two factors: Which trail length suits your plans, and what level of challenge would you like to take on? Individual routes and their conditions may change, so check the information for your chosen trail before setting out.

The “Jogllandloipe – St. Jakob im Walde” cross-country skiing area offers both classic cross-country skiing and skating. The area is located on a sunny high plateau at an altitude of 1,134 m, at the foot of the Hochwechsel. The trails are freshly groomed every day. As this operating information is seasonal, check the current trail status before setting out.

The planning considerations differ depending on the activity: for hiking, trail length and difficulty level can be decisive; for cross-country skiing, you can choose between the classic style and skating. The elevations offer another point of reference: the town lies at just under 1,000 m, while the cross-country skiing area is at 1,134 m.

Exhibitions and activities at Kräftereich

The weatherproof “Kräftereich” experience exhibition covers 1,600 m² across three floors. The Kräftereich garden includes the Kosmotorikpark, where visitors can test their coordination, stamina and strength. The two areas have different focuses: the exhibition spans several floors, while the park offers activities in the garden.

Church, mill and history

The parish church of St. Jakob im Walde is a cultural gathering place for residents and visitors. Its predecessor chapel, “capella sancti Jacobi,” was first mentioned in a document in 1209. The Feichtenhofer watermill adds to these historic landmarks: it is one of Austria’s last mills and is over 200 years old. Tours are temporarily suspended due to maintenance work; if a visit is important to your plans, check in advance whether tours have resumed.

The church and mill offer different points of reference in time: the predecessor chapel’s mention in a document in 1209 and the watermill’s age of more than 200 years. The town’s history can thus be explored through an early written reference and a surviving mill building.

Styrian Flower Road

Sankt Jakob im Walde is one of the ten member municipalities of the Styrian Flower Road. Every two years, a flower parade takes place in one of these towns; the location and date vary. If you would like to include the parade in your travel plans, check the location and date for the relevant event year. Membership of the Flower Road does not mean that the parade takes place in Sankt Jakob im Walde every time.

Discover more destinations: Obertiefenbach, Ilz, Söchau, Stubenberg, Bad Blumau, Sankt Johann Bei Herberstein, Neudau, Buch-Geiseldorf.

For the broader travel overview: Hartberg-Fürstenfeld.