Sankt Georgen – Church and Hiking Trails

Sankt Georgen combines a long church history with hiking trails that reach the village. For planning your trip, the branch church and the different routes offer two specific points of reference: one trail leads from Birkfeld to Sankt Georgen and back; the Koglhof pleasure trail leads to Stations of the Cross and the church. This allows you to explore local history and enjoy a hike together, while the various starting points and stops help you plan your outing.

Church and History of Sankt Georgen

The Catholic branch church of St. Georgen am Gasenbach has a long ecclesiastical history. The parish of St. Georgen am Gasenbach is documented as far back as 1295; until 1788, the church was the parish church of Koglhof. Beyond its ecclesiastical function, the building is connected with a wider development: it marked the beginning of the clearing and settlement of the municipality of Koglhof and the upper Feistritz Valley.

Koglhof’s educational history is also connected with Sankt Georgen: the first lessons for children in Koglhof took place in the parish house in Sankt Georgen. Alongside the church, the parish house is therefore another specific historical point of reference for the connection between the two villages.

The unsigned “Schwarz” organ dates from the 18th century. It was originally installed in the branch church of St. Georgen; today it is located in the church in Koglhof. Its history thus connects its original location in Sankt Georgen with its present location in Koglhof.

As of June 30, 2025, the Federal Monuments Authority’s register lists the branch church and its former cemetery together as protected by ordinance. The protection therefore applies to both the church and the former cemetery.

Hiking Trails and Their Stops

The Birkfeld–St. Georgen hike starts at the former railway station in Birkfeld. From there, it leads to Sankt Georgen and back to Birkfeld; along the way, it crosses the Gasenbach over a bridge. The former railway station marks the starting point, and the bridge is a specific stop along the trail.

There is an opportunity to stop for a meal at the Gasthaus Grünbichler in Sankt Georgen along the route. If stopping for a meal is important to your plans, check the restaurant’s opening hours in advance.

The Koglhof pleasure trail follows trail number 15 toward Sankt Georgen and reaches the village, where the oldest church in the upper Feistritz Valley is located. Following the Stations of the Cross, it descends to the village center, the church and then continues to the starting point at the summer toboggan run. The trail thus links several named stops, with a visit to the church forming part of the route.

The different waypoints can help you choose a route: the Birkfeld–St. Georgen hike goes there and back and offers specific points of reference, including the bridge over the Gasenbach and the opportunity to stop at the Gasthaus Grünbichler. On the Koglhof pleasure trail, the Stations of the Cross, village center and church follow one another before the route continues to the starting point at the summer toboggan run.

Discover more destinations: Pischelsdorf In Der Steiermark, Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Ratten, Miesenbach Bei Birkfeld, Markt Hartmannsdorf, Sankt Kathrein Am Offenegg, Fladnitz An Der Teichalpe, Birkfeld.

For the wider travel overview: Weiz.